Hunting Island State Park
| Hunting Island State Park | |
|---|---|
| Hunting Island | |
Marshes surrounding Hunting Island
|
|
| Type | state park |
| Location |
Beaufort County, South Carolina (Lowcountry & Sea Islands) |
| Nearest city | Beaufort |
| Coordinates | 32°21′59″N 80°26′40″W / 32.36639°N 80.44444°WCoordinates: 32°21′59″N 80°26′40″W / 32.36639°N 80.44444°W |
| Area | 5,000 acres (20.2 km2) |
| Elevation | sea level |
| Created | 1935 |
| Etymology | "Hunting Islands" map reference (ca. 18th century) |
| Operated by | South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism |
| Visitors | 1.2 million |
| Camp sites | Both regular and RV campsites |
| Hiking trails |
|
| Other information | Admission fees: $5.00 for adults $3.25 for S.C. seniors $3.00 for children ages 6-15 free for children ages 0-5 |
| Website | Hunting Island State Park |
Hunting Island is a 5,000-acre (20 km2) secluded semitropical barrier island located 15 miles (24 km) east of Beaufort, South Carolina, United States. Since 1935, it has been classified as a state park. It is the most-visited state park facility in South Carolina and is a part of the ACE Basin estuarine reserve area. Known for its natural environment, the island remains one of the few remaining undeveloped Sea Islands in the Lowcountry. The park is known for its 19th century lighthouse which bears its name. The park's beach has been featured in several travel publications and was listed in 2013 as a Top 25 beach in the United States by TripAdvisor.
Hunting Island retains its colonial designation of the "Hunting Islands," which served as hunting preserves for Lowcountry planters and elite in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Hunting Island light was constructed in the 1850s and soon thereafter destroyed by Confederate forces in the early days of the Civil War. Ten years after the Civil War ended the lighthouse was rebuilt, and later relocated to its current position. The 1893 Sea Islands hurricane swept Hunting Island and other nearby Sea Islands clean, but the lighthouse survived.
In the 1930s, the island was developed into a state park by the Civilian Conservation Corps as bridges were constructed to connect the outer Sea Islands with Beaufort. Thanks to limited human development, the island remains a preserve for its abundant wildlife. There are more than 4 miles (6.4 km) of beach, a dense maritime forest in the interior areas, and an extensive saltwater marsh on the western side. The most notable attraction is the 19th-century lighthouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. While not operational, the lighthouse tower features a rotating light in the tower that is turned on at night.
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Wikipedia