Hunting Island State Park is one of the true gems of the South Carolina coast. Hunting Island is a smallish barrier Island that is unfortunately slowly disappearing (loosing a battle of erosion with the Atlantic Ocean). The island features white sand beaches that are dotted with Palmetto trees and wild orchids. The interior of the island includes a small lagoon (complete with Alligators) and a small visitors center. There is a very nice mid 1800’s lighthouse on the island. The state park system operates several cabins that are available for rent as well as camping sites. The cabins are popular year round (and are typically booked months in advance), the camping spots are generally sold out all summer as well as much of the spring and fall. However, Hunting Island is less busy in the winter, which in my opinion is one of the best times to visit the island.

My Husband and I visited the Hunting Island State Park on July 29, 2006. It is a very nice place and we would definitely come back to visit. The swimming area is very nice. We were concerned about going after reading articles on other web sites concerning the erosion problem. But, apparently the swimming area at least has been re-nourished. There was plenty of sand and in the water the sand was nice and smooth to our bare feet. The water was warm like bathwater and we spent hours out there. There is a bathroom and picnic area nearby with plenty of parking. It was really nice to see the all the birds too. There were flocks of pelicans on the beach and cranes in the back water. We also enjoyed seeing a forest near the beach and all the marsh area.

Hunting Island State Park is a special place. I have been many places in the world, but my heart is heavily mortgaged to this synthesis of ocean, marsh, lagoon, maritime forest, lighthouse, sandy trails, salt air and wildlife hideaways. It almost defies description. If you go there, please please please cherish what you see, and take nothing away but your lingering love for the beauty that reigns there. Fight for its preservation when the day comes that developers see an "in" to changing it...to making it "more profitable" as some would think. Say NO to it becoming another Fripp Island or Harbor Island. NO change for this oasis should EVER be proposed. It is, and forever should be, a park for the public to come experience the real beauty of nature.