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Hunting Island

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75°

Clear Sky

DIRECTIONS

Directions for Hunting Island Lighthouse

2555 Sea Island PKWY
Hunting Island, SC 29920

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843.838.2011
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843.838.2011
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TRAVEL ADVISORY

The lighthouse and North Beach area at Hunting Island is open.  Please make sure you follow traffic signs when entering the park, as the route will be slightly different.  Visitors will be able to enjoy the beach, picnic area and historic lighthouse as usual.  

The Nature Center is also open and will serve as an information hub for the park.  

The South Beach area and the campground currently remain closed.  

A portion of the pier is open, however, no fishing or crabbing is allowed at this time.

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HOURS

6 a.m. - 6 p.m., daily (extended to 9 p.m. during Daylight Saving Time)

OFFICE

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sa-Su

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ADMISSION

$5/adult; $3.25 SC seniors; $3/ child age 6-15; Free for children 5 and younger
Lighthouse admission: $2/person

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PETS

Pets are not allowed in the cabin or the cabin area, on the pier or inside the lighthouse complex. Pets are allowed in most other outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Owners will be asked to remove noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife.

Hunting Island State Park Has Wifi

Wifi Available

BY THE NUMBERS

5 miles of beach

1 saltwater lagoon

5000 acres of lowcountry South Carolina that includes beach, marsh and maritime forest

1 historic lighthouse, the only publicly accessible lighthouse in South Carolina

167 steps to climb to the top of the lighthouse

100 standard campsites, all of which offer 50amp service and are highly-coveted year round

1 cabin located near the lighthouse

1 nature center with all sorts of neat creatures and regularly scheduled programs for you to enjoy

1 pier for fishing -- or just strolling to the end to see the view

1 picnic shelter for family reunions or other group outings

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GET SOME GEAR!

Hunting Island State Park

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Lighthouse


The historic lighthouse at Hunting Island State Park is the only publicly accessible lighthouse in South Carolina.

For an admission of $2, visitors can climb the 167 steps and walk around the observation deck for a lofty view of the barrier island and surrounding seascape.  CHILDREN MUST BE AT LEAST 44" TALL TO CLIMB THE LIGHTHOUSE.

The tower is open for climbing at 10 a.m. daily, with the last admission accepted at 4:45 p.m. each day during daylight saving time (peak season).  During Eastern Standard Time (off-season), the tower opens for climbing at 10 a.m. daily, and the last admission is accepted at 3:45 p.m.

The lighthouse is closed on Christmas Day for climbing.
Visitors may find the lighthouse closed during inclement weather due to safety concerns.

The lighthouse was closed for repairs in May 2003 when cracks were discovered in several of its cast-iron steps. In a renovation that spanned more than 18 months, construction crews not only repaired the cracks, but installed steel braces beneath them for reinforcement. Left unpainted, the silver-gray braces stand out in sharp contrast to the black cast-iron stairs. The contrast helps distinguish between the original structure and modern improvements, which protect the lighthouse’s historic integrity.

The original structure was built in 1859 and rebuilt in 1875 after it was destroyed during the Civil War. A unique feature of the lighthouse is that it was constructed of interchangeable cast-iron sections so it could be dismantled should it ever need to be moved. Severe beach erosion made it necessary to relocate the lighthouse 1.3 miles inland in 1889.