A Comprehensive Guide to Hunting Island State Park Campground
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Interested in beach camping in the Carolinas? Hunting Island is the perfect location for enjoying the coast.
Before this trip, I had never been beach camping, but Hunting Island State Park Campground did not disappoint. Not only is this campground in a beautiful location, but it’s also well maintained with all the amenities you need to have a good time.
My favorite part about the camping trip was the unmatched access to the beach. There are also numerous other things to do on the island if you get bored. If you’re like me, relaxing in the sunshine and reading a book while listening to the waves is exactly what the doctor ordered. Keep reading for all the details and what you need to know to prepare for camping at Hunting Island.
Quick Guide
When to Visit: Shoulder season! If you want the best campsite and reasonable temperatures, I recommend avoiding the summer.
Overall Cost: Approximately $50 – $66 a night for RV/tent sites and rustic tent sites near the beach are about $45 a night
Main Amenities: Modern restrooms, hot showers, camp store with firewood/basics, access to the beach, outdoor beach shower, access to Hunting Island State Park
Best Campsites: I liked campsites 113 and 127. The 128-147 campsites don’t have a ton of shade. The inner section of 123 to 200 on the map is along marsh so you may have visitors if you’re not in a hard-sided RV. We had campsite 124 and I really liked it, but the raccoons are active near here.
Things to Do: Visit the beach, walk the boardwalk at Hunting Island State Park, participate in one of the many park events, check out the lighthouse, or venture into Beaufort SC
How To Get There
Hunting Island State Park Campground is located a few minutes north of the actual state park. You’ll drive through Beaufort SC and then cross over to the island.
Like most coastal islands in South Carolina, there’s only one main approach. You’ll take 21 down to the island regardless of what direction you’re coming from. The most efficient way is to drive 95 or 17 if you’re coming from Charleston SC.
When to Visit
I think this is best visited from December to May/June. June to November is hurricane season in the South and although there aren’t hurricanes every week, you’re much safer choosing the front half of the year.
I also like this time of year because it has more reasonable temperatures. Winter at the beach is a vibe. If you want warmer temperatures, aim for April to June and you will have some heat.
If you plan to visit from June to November, I recommend finding a well-shaded campsite since the sun can be brutal this time of year, especially in July and August. The most hurricane-prone time is September to November so if you’re camping around then ensure you keep an eye on the radar and any developing storms.
Overall Cost
Hunting Island is slightly more expensive than normal if you are tent camping. If you’re in an RV, the rates are relatively typical.
You can expect to pay around $50-$65 for a standard RV/Tent site. To save money you can book a primitive campground as a tent camper and pay closer to $40 a night.
The primitive campsites are pretty nice and give you closer access to the beach!
I learned that this campsite does book up regardless of the time of year. There are around 100 campsites so plenty of options, but it was pretty full when I was there at the end of January.
The sooner you can book a campsite at this campground, the better.
Camping Essentials I Highly Recommend
The comfiest pad you’ll ever use
Cooking pot set I can’t live without
My favorite camp cooler
Best campfire blanket (this also doubles as a sleeping bag in the summer!)
Main Amenities
Hunting Island State Park Campground has most of the standard amenities you would expect from a campground this size.
- Modern Bathrooms with hot showers
- A camp store that sells basics as well as firewood
- Spigots at each campsite
- Beach showers to rinse off the sand after enjoying the beach
- Picnic tables and fire rings at each campsite
- Playground for the kids
- Dump station
- Laundry facilities attached to the main bathroom
- Pets allowed (not in cabins) or on the northern side of the beach past the markers (protected bird habitat)
There are 102 sites with both electricity (20/30 & 50 amp) and water. Closer to the beach there are 25 rustic campsites.
I recommend buying firewood outside the state park if possible as they charge $10 per bundle. You should not bring in firewood from other regions or areas of the country to prevent the spreading of invasive species.
You will likely get a visit from one of the 3 cats in residence. They are all super friendly but a little timid with dogs. I had my pup out and one of them came by but kept a healthy distance.
Best Campsites
All the campsites are beautiful and I don’t think you’ll be upset with any of them. That being said, certain campsites offer different experiences depending on your needs/wants.
My favorite campsites were 113 and 127. Campsite 127 has the most privacy of any that I saw but is one of the furthest from the bathroom. Campsite 113 is very aesthetically beautiful and is very close to the bathrooms without being next to them.
Campsites 128-147 give you less shade, but this is nice in the winter especially when the sun is out. I would try to avoid these campsites as a tent camper in the summer otherwise you will roast.
If you’re looking for good beach access and better proximity to the playground, campsites 89 – 97 are a great choice.
Personally, I would try to avoid any of the campsites at the intersections(110, 109, 107) as these are high-traffic areas.
The middle section of campgrounds has a marsh behind them so you will have a higher chance of nighttime visitors. If you’re in an RV, lock up everything as the raccoons will take advantage of anything left out or any storage compartment left unlocked.
For tent campers, clean your site well and lock away any scented items in your car. The raccoons make a lot of noise at night, so I brought earplugs and was fine. They do not bother the tents but will rummage under your picnic table and near your spigot to see if you left anything tasty behind.
Things to Do
One of the major attractions of this particular campground is access to the beach! You can swim in the water, go for a walk, enjoy the sun, and potentially catch dolphins popping out of the water (we did and it was so cool)!
We saw a ton of campers with e-bikes riding the beach and I was jealous.
You’ll want to visit the state park while you’re there to explore the boardwalk and see the lighthouse. It may be closed for construction, but you can still walk up to it.
The state park has an entrance fee of $8 per person for adults, $5 for seniors, and $4 for kids aged 6+. If you have a South Carolina State Park Pass this is covered!
If you have the time, take a trip into Beaufort for some brunch or lunch and explore the downtown.
You can now book a day trip to St. Phillips Island, an undeveloped barrier island off the coast. For the tour, you’ll take a ferry to the dock and then board a tram for 3.5 miles of wildlife viewing and learning about the island’s history. Afterward, you can explore the beach or go for a hike in the maritime forest.
Hunting Island also has numerous programs/events throughout the year like the Creature Feature and Salt Marsh Stroll. On these adventures, you’ll learn more about the area or specific wildlife. Additionally, you can book a dolphin-watching cruise if you didn’t spot them from the beach!
FAQs: Hunting Island State Park Campground
What was filmed at Hunting Island State Park?
Hunting Island State Park has been featured in many films, most notably in Forrest Gump. A large portion of the Vietnam War scenes from this iconic movie were filmed here. Additionally, if you’re a fan of Outer Banks, there are numerous parts of the show that have been filmed on this island (even though it’s hours from the actual Outer Banks).
Does Hunting Island have a beach?
Yes! There are about 5 miles of coastline and quick access to the beach from both the campground and state park.
Does Hunting Island have bathrooms?
There are numerous bathrooms at Hunting Island Campground and State Park. The campground has bathrooms with sinks, toilets, and hot showers. They were spotless when we were there!
Wrap-Up: Hunting Island State Park Campground
Hunting Island State Park Campground is the perfect choice if you’re interested in beach camping. The campground is clean, has numerous amenities, and is close to multiple things to do.
Additionally, this is a great place to call home for a few weeks if you’re nomadic and traveling the country. The weather is beautiful in the off-season and a great reprieve from the cold.