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 in between Harbor Island and Fripp Island. Its history begins in 1935. Weather is mildest over February, March, April, May, October, November and December, with 62–82°F highs.
A state park, 3 mi south of Harbor Island
Fripp Island is the nearest base
Fripp Island is 4 miles southwest, with 5 places to stay. Where to stay ↓
Best months: Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov and Dec
February, March, April, May, October, November and December are the mild months, with highs of 62–82°. When to go ↓
Established in 1935
Hunting Island State Park dates from 1935. About ↓
Written from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Overture places to stay, Census town figures, Wikidata and Wikipedia.
The weather by month
A visit to Hunting Island can follow the seasons below.
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 in between Harbor Island and Fripp Island. 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.
- Type
- State park
- Established
- 1935
- Area
- 5,000 acres
- Wikipedia readers
- 9.1K a year
Where to sleep near Hunting Island State Park
Places to stay start in Hilton Head Island (120) and Beaufort (31).
Hilton Head Island
The closest town with somewhere to stay.
38,196 people · 25% vacation homes
21 mi southwest of Hunting Island
Compare 8 towns
| Town | From Hunting Island | Drive | Places to stay | People | Typical home | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island 25% vacation homes | 21 mi southwest | 30 min | 120 110 hotels · 3 inns & B&Bs · 3 lodges & cabins · 4 RV parks | 38,196 | $687K | — |
| Beaufort | 17 mi west | 25 min | 31 21 hotels · 2 motels · 7 inns & B&Bs · 1 lodge or cabins | 15,775 | $345K | D |
| Edisto Beach 49% vacation homes | 12 mi northeast | 20 min | 13 10 hotels · 1 lodge or cabins · 2 campgrounds | 1,071 | $719K | — |
| Fripp Island 61% vacation homes | 4 mi southwest | 5 min | 5 4 hotels · 1 campground | 752 | $671K | — |
| Harbor Island 32% vacation homes | 3 mi north | 5 min | 2 1 hotel · 1 campground | 303 | $366K | — |
| Port Royal | 15 mi west | 20 min | 5 2 hotels · 1 motel · 1 lodge or cabins · 1 RV park | 16,648 | $347K | B− |
| Seabrook Island 44% vacation homes | 21 mi northeast | 30 min | 5 2 hotels · 2 lodges & cabins · 1 campground | 2,171 | $1,001K | — |
| Kiawah Island 56% vacation homes | 28 mi northeast | 40 min | 11 9 hotels · 1 inn or B&B · 1 lodge or cabins | 2,014 | $2,000K | — |
Getting there
Nearest airports with airline service
Make a day of it near Hunting Island
Other well-known places within 45 miles.
Big draw43 mi MuseumUSS Yorktown
Big draw44 mi MuseumH. L. Hunley
43 mi MuseumUSS Laffey
32 mi Park & preserveAngel Oak
41 mi LandmarkFort Wagner
43 mi MuseumMercer House
35 mi National MonumentFort Pulaski National Monument321K visitors a year
41 mi DamThe BatteryPhoto credits
USS Yorktown: David Ratledge, CC BY 4.0 · H. L. Hunley: Sepia wash drawing by R.G. Skerrett, 1902, after a painting then held by the Con, Public domain · USS Laffey: U.S. Navy, Public domain · Angel Oak: Galen Parks Smith, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Fort Wagner: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain · Mercer House: Kyle Kesselring from Canal Winchester, OH, CC BY 2.0 · Fort Pulaski National Monument: Edibobb, CC BY 3.0 · The Battery: Eagledj, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Hunting Island: common questions
What town is Hunting Island State Park near?
Harbor Island, SC, about 3 miles north.
When is the best time to visit Hunting Island State Park?
February, March, April, May, October, November and December, with highs of 62–82°.
What is the closest airport to Hunting Island State Park?
Hilton Head (HHH), about 18 miles away. The nearest big hub is Charleston (CHS), about 44 miles.
Where should I stay near Hunting Island State Park?
Hilton Head Island (21 mi, 120 places to stay), Beaufort (17 mi, 31 places to stay) and Edisto Beach (12 mi, 13 places to stay).
Local tips in Harbor Island
Start the conversation in Harbor Island’s Town Square.
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · NOAA climate normals · U.S. Census.