(photo credit: Explore Beaufort)
The iconic black-and-white lighthouse at Hunting Island State Park has officially reopened to the public following an extensive $4,750,000 stabilization and preservation initiative.
The historic landmark, originally constructed in 1859 and relocated inland in 1889 due to beach erosion, had been closed since 2022 due to structural safety concerns. Comprehensive repairs executed by Bennett Preservation Engineering PC and Huss Construction included reinforcements to the cast-iron spiral staircase, handrails, and observation deck. Crews also replaced lantern room glass, applied fresh paint, and sealed the structure against water intrusion.
Funding for the restoration was secured through $4,250,000 in state appropriations, a $100,000 grant from the Friends of Hunting Island, a $235,812 Park and Recreation Development Fund grant, and $164,127 in state park revenue. The next phase involves constructing an ADA-accessible ground structure to house the historic first-order Fresnel Lens.
Climbing tickets are available for $5 per person on a first-come, first-served basis at the park’s Oil House. Visitors must be at least 44 inches tall and climb independently; child carriers are prohibited. Standard park admission fees apply separately.
To accommodate visitors unable to make the physical climb, the park’s Visitor Center now offers virtual reality headsets providing 360-degree views from the top gallery. Additionally, an ADA-accessible mobile virtual reality trailer is available.
Encompassing 5,000 acres of protected barrier island, Hunting Island State Park is one of South Carolina’s most popular natural destinations. The park boasts five miles of pristine beachfront, thousands of acres of salt marsh, a maritime forest, and a saltwater lagoon. Originally developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, this expansive park draws thousands of visitors annually.
