Hunting Island

PARK ADVISORY

The North Beach day parking and day use areas to include the lighthouse complex, will be closed on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. due to a special event. We apologize for the inconvenience.

As of April 1, 2024, Russ Point Landing is TEMPORARILY CLOSED, to public use, due to deteriorating road conditions. It may still be used by state park service personnel. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding. The state permitting and approvals required to begin temporary infrastructure repairs at Russ Point are complete. The project is now out to bid. See more information, here. Next steps: The project will follow the state procurement process. Bids are due May 7 at 2 PM. We anticipate that work will begin in the coming months, depending on the schedule of the contractor selected in the bid process. These temporary repairs will address safety concerns and allow Russ Point to reopen to the public. Efforts are also in progress to identify a more permanent repair solution at Russ Point, and the funding required to support it. We will send additional updates after bids close on May 7.

Due to staffing issues, the campground store will have new hours Sunday - Thursday 9:00 am-4:30 pm, and Friday and Saturday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm.

The lighthouse gift shop will be closed until further notice. We apologize for the inconvenience.

We now have a track chair available for visitors with mobility impairments, thanks to the Ford Bronco Wild Fund. Visitors are encouraged to call the park to reserve the track chair at least 48 hours in advance to ensure availability. There is no additional charge to use the track chair, but a Park Passport or park admission is required for entry for all visitors. Read more about this new track chair, here.

Due to safety concerns, the Hunting Island lighthouse is currently closed to tours, until repairs can be made. The lighthouse can still be viewed from the grounds and docents will be on hand to interpret and give more information about the lighthouse. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Join us on a tour of St. Phillips Island! Click here for details!

HOURS

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

Nature Center Hours:
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday

OFFICE

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

ADMISSION

$8/adult; $5/SC seniors; $4/ child age 6-15; Free for children 5 and younger

PETS

Pets are not allowed in the cabin or the cabin area, on the pier or inside the lighthouse complex. Dogs are not permitted on the tip of North Beach past the posted markers to protect critical shorebird habitat. 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.

Wifi Available

EV Charging Station

GET SOME GEAR!

Hunting Island State Park

Coast

The Turner House at St. Phillips Island

St. Phillips Island is a 4-mile-long, 4,680-acre undeveloped barrier island off the coast of Beaufort, South Carolina. This former private island can only be accessed by boat and is a true hidden gem of the Lowcountry. For nearly 40 years, it was owned by billionaire conservationist Ted Turner, who purchased St. Phillips in 1979 to preserve its integrity as an unspoiled natural environment and protect it from development. In 2017, the State of South Carolina purchased the island, which is now operated in conjunction with nearby Hunting Island State Park.

The Turner House at St. Phillips Island was constructed shortly after Turner purchased the island in 1979 and served as the family’s beach retreat for decades. All construction materials for the 3,350 square foot house were brought by boat, and the design reflects Turner’s vision for a comfortable, rustic retreat in harmony with its setting.

The Turner House accommodates 10 guests. It features one master bedroom and bathroom plus an additional guest bathroom on the main floor, and four additional bedrooms and three bathrooms upstairs. A living room, kitchen, bar area, convertible dining room/game room, and den are also located on the main floor, plus an expansive 820-square-foot screened porch with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Amenities Provided

Beach access
Beach chairs, umbrellas, and pop-up canopies
Fishing pier
Fishing rods
Hiking trails
Fire pit & indoor fireplace
Propane grill
Pool table
Binoculars, bird spotting scope & telescope
Bicycles
Kayaks
Golf carts
Boat dock - guests are permitted to have one private boat at the island. The boat dock may be used for convenience.

Rental Information

All rentals require a minimum five-night stay.

Check-in time is 12:00 p.m. (noon) and check-out time is 11:00 a.m. for all rentals. Boat travel is required to reach the island, and both the arrival and departure boat shuttles are scheduled for 12:30 p.m. All guests must be present for the shuttle departure. We are not able to accommodate late arrivals or multiple arrival groups. Please note that all scheduled travel times to and from St. Phillips Island are tentative and may be adjusted as conditions require. Incoming and outgoing travel plans should be scheduled to accommodate the possibility of delays.

St. Phillips Island is a remote, natural barrier island and neither it nor the Turner House is fully accessible for guests with limited mobility. Please inquire about any accessibility concerns prior to booking.

Standard Rental

Turner House rental only. St. Phillips Island remains open to scheduled day tours during stay.
Rental price is $12,000 (for five nights) and includes a $1,000 grocery credit.
Includes scheduled boat transportation to and from the island.

Exclusive Rental

Rental of Turner House and St. Phillips Island. Island is closed to the public for tours.
Rental price is $20,000 (for five nights) and includes a $2,000 grocery credit.
Includes scheduled boat transportation to and from the island.
Includes optional ranger-led programs.
Exclusive rentals must be booked more than 90 days in advance.

Booking Information

To book, or for more information, please contact the St. Phillips Island reservations desk at 803-904-6220 or StPhillips@scprt.com. Reservations are taken Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but you may leave a message after hours and your call or email will be returned.

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