Beach Hunters: Hunting Island South Carolina

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Day one of our Spring Break road trip was incredible for us “beach hunters of the south.”  After visiting this cool coastal town, it was time to move on to our next family vacation destination — Hunting Island South Carolina.  I’d never heard of it even though we’d lived in Charleston and I only found it because I searched diligently for a coastal vacation spot between Tybee Island Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina.

When I started getting serious about the possibility of Hunting Island State Park campground for day two of our road trip, I stared in disbelief at the online descriptions of this South Carolina beach that supposedly came right up to the RV campground.  Was it too good to be true?  

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View from Hunting Island Lighthouse

Beach Hunters 411

From I95, it’s only forty miles to Hunting Island State Park.  As you leave Beaufort, it may feel as if you are driving out to the edge of America because you are — out to the edge of the eastern South Carolina coast.  You’ll know you’ve arrived when the canopy of trees and palmettos welcomes you.  Oh yeah, and the state park sign.  You’ll also be greeted by sweet volunteers and/or Park Rangers with their clipboards in hand, ready to get you checked in quickly.

As it turns out, Hunting Island is part of a large, woodsy state park whose maritime forest stretches out to a secluded, pristine beach that is wide, with hard-packed sand perfect for biking, walking, running, shell collecting, or just sunbathing.  Hunting Island State Park is unbelievably tranquil, private, affordable, and uncrowded.  Just yards away from the campground, you can walk down the beach and through a forest trail to get you to the lighthouse.

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Arrow shows how close campground is to the beach

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Beach Hunters

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A Driving Tour to our campsite
All RV campsites have water, 30/50 amps, and fit up to a forty foot rig (we only needed a 30′ one).  The sites in the section close to the beach were a little tighter and without privacy – only for the serious beach hunters.  🙂  I liked being somewhat hidden in the back section of the maritime forest this time where we were still close to the beach but not in the wide open.

If you are fortunate enough to be in the front campsite section along the beach though, there are no obstructions like sand dunes, boardwalks, or rocks between you and the beach sand.  The beach is very clean and dog-friendly. There aren’t any hotels on the island at all and only one cabin located beside the lighthouse that you can rent from the State Park.   The campground store was very nice with many essentials, high-quality souvenirs/clothes, snacks and handled by park rangers.  Little peeps will enjoy this store as well as the big kids (adults) too.

 

Have you already made your Hunting Island South Carolina reservation?

 

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Other Family Travel posts you may enjoy:

You won’t believe these Vacation Spots in Georgia

Secluded Florida Beach Vacations

Hidden Savannah Georgia vacation spots 

Why you MUST take your family to Marineland

Family Friendly Charleston South Carolina Trips

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Shan

Published on HuffPost, Okefenokee Living Magazine, and more, Shan is a Family Travel Journalist with a passion for helping women lose the overwhelm of planning family-friendly trips in the south. She shares travel reviews & insider secrets that Women REALLY want to know about Georgia, Florida, & the Carolinas vacations.

☕️ It’s THE REAL DEAL around here ☕️

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7 Comments

  1. Beth
    July 19, 2015 / 8:26 pm

    Hey Shan, Just wondering which site you were at, from the map and your youtube video, I am thinking you were at 139 or 140. I reserved 143 and I was just wanting to get a feel for the area before we got there. I have high anxiety and its killing me not knowing what to expect. Thanks! and btw, I will be frequenting this website now!

    • Shan
      Author
      July 22, 2015 / 10:29 pm

      Hello Beth!
      Yes, we were at 139. In the video, just after we pass the big clearing, is where I would guess your site will be {around two minutes and 16 seconds on video}. You will love the place! When you are going?

      Welcome and enjoy!

      blessings,
      Shan

  2. Lisa M
    July 23, 2015 / 10:39 am

    Wow Your post is amazing – makes me want another trip!

    • Shan
      Author
      July 30, 2015 / 11:29 am

      THANK you so much, Lisa! How sweet. We adore Southern Family Travel. 😉

  3. Rebecca
    July 23, 2015 / 2:00 pm

    These pictures are beautiful! Love them! I found you on the blogging homeschoolers facebook group! 🙂 Rebecca

    • Shan
      Author
      July 30, 2015 / 11:29 am

      I appreciate your sweet comments so much, Rebecca! Southern Family Travel and photographing it all are loves of my life.

      blessings,
      Shan

  4. justin
    April 6, 2017 / 2:28 pm

    It’s no wonder that it’s the most popular park in the state! I love going out to the trails that stretch across the whole island.

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