Hunting Island State Park

Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation

1. You can reserve one of 120 campsites at Hunting Island State Campground via the South Carolina State Parks website. Campsite reservations require a minimum 2-night stay.
2. Online reservations open 13 months in advance; same-day reservations must be made directly through the park.
3. Campsites can book up fast, especially those closest to the beach. Book a minimum of three months in advance to avoid disappointment.

When to Go

Hunting Island is South Carolina’s most popular state park, and with more than 1 million annual visitors, it can get busy, especially in summer. It’s warm enough to swim along the coast from May to mid-October, and summer is also the time to spot loggerhead turtles as they nest and hatch along the beach. Boat cruises and dolphin-watching tours run year-round.

Know Before You Go

• Hunting Island State Park is set along the South Carolina coast, about 90 miles southwest of Charleston (less than a 2-hour drive away). 
• There is an admission fee for the state park, and camping fees also apply. There is a separate fee to visit the lighthouse.
• Facilities include a visitor center, park store, boat ramp, fishing pier, picnic shelters, and restrooms. Wifi is available at the visitor center, campground, and shops. The closest large grocery store is located on Lady’s Island, about a 30-minute drive away.
• You can bring your own boat and watercraft to Hunting Island; a South Carolina fishing license is required for fishing. Swimming is permitted at your own risk—there is no lifeguard patrol.