Hunting Island, SC

East of Beaufort, SC, down Hwy 21 and across the Johnson Creek Bridge onto one of SC’s many barrier islands on the Atlantic coast lies a loverly, partially ocean fronted state-owned campground designated as Hunting Island State Park.  Created by the CCC in the 1930’s, it is a beautiful low-country haven nestled in a densely wooded maritime forest full of tall Slash Pines, ancient moss-draped Live Oaks, swaying Cabbage Palmetto trees and sturdy Saw Palmetto scrub. (The following website has great information about the park and surrounding area: http://www.huntingisland.com/index.html)

Labor Day week-end found us habiting a last minute vacated campsite dubbed “The Swamp” cuz it would have been had we had the misfortune of rain. A paddle board would have been required to get from door to road in the event of a downpour, so we were mightily grateful that, although hot and humid as Hades, it did not. 

On the ocean-front sites you can fall asleep to the hypnotic sound of the waves enhanced by a soothing (though not always cool) ocean breeze through the windows. Position your campsite properly and you will be treated to sunrise from your sleeping mat…pretty cool not to have to get out of bed to see the sun come up donchano. Of course, you can always set an alarm and nestle yourself on the sand to watch it from nature’s vantage point, sharing the moment with fellow campers, shore birds and, possibly, passing dolphin depending on the tide. (I always expect that magical moment from City of Angles where the earth seems to sing its welcome/farewell to the rising/setting sun…it’s there in my head even if not truly in the ear.)

I’m embarrassed to admit that we never got up early enough this trip to stroll out to the beach to capture the sunrise. Howsumever, a beautiful full moon over Hunting Island Campground Beach has many shots…of which this is only one.  Mea culpa.

Tidal marshes across the highway on the inland side of the island are home to an amazing bounty of  oysters (didja know they spit and “pop” their shells?), egrets, cranes, heron, osprey, bald eagle and even alligators. Sunset views from the bridges, boat ramps and marshwalks can be jaw-droppingly beautiful and dramatic. Caveat, however, is that insect repellent with DEET is not only a good idea, but, requisite during the summer months. The mosquitos can be vicious and there’s something just not quite as soul satisfying in viewing the sunset from the closed doors and windows of your vehicle.

Campsites vary in size, wood density and relative location to the shower houses with many being sites within literal spitting distance of its neighbor. That said, folks are friendly and respective of both space and noise sensitivities (an amazing feat since it was both Clemson and Carolina’s first football weekends.) With a dune to our back and a solid empty length front and rear The Swamp’s neighbors were across the camp road from Li’l Scamp’s front door.  Having chosen to base themselves at the rear of their site, the group of 8 or so animated young adults were never rowdy or rude. Each morning of our stay the toddler son of one of the group entertained us with his daily routine of hauling things about their campsite rickshaw style in his umbrella stroller. Referring back to the afore mentioned Football Weekend…with electricity available many campers had brought along big-screen TV’s and designated canopy in case of rain for what boiled down to one huge weekend long tail-gate party.

Keeping food and garbage neatly tucked away at night is a good habit as raccoons are likely nocturnal visitors rummaging through your stuff in search of treats. Deer often roam through the park in the early morning and post-sunset evening hours which can surprise both you and the deer at unexpected meetings during a shower house run.

The most visited of our state parks the holiday weekend saw the campground full to the gills with families, bicycles, boogie boards and family pets. We came across grown-up folk who had been camping at Hunting Island since THEY were children, often reserving the same campsite year after year each weekend for the entire summer. For us it was a glorious first-time, hot, humid, mosquito buzzing 3-day escape from the work-day world bringing back happy memories of tent camping days with our own young offspring.

This is a location that has definite “revisit” stamp onnit. There is so much to see and do, not only within the confines of the state park, but the surrounding area that several blog posts to follow will continue with this particular 3-day adventure