Beautiful Edisto Beach State Park is located on the coast near the town of Edisto Beach. In 1935, the land was donated by the Edisto Company. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) buildings remain on the property today, and some are currently in use.
This oceanfront state park is 1,255 acres, and features miles of wheelchair-accessible hiking trails considered the longest system in South Carolina. The trails offer a wide range of scenic views as they wind through the maritime forest. As you go along the trails, you will come across unique sites such as the Native American Shell Midden.
This specific area dated back to 2000 BC and was surveyed in 1850 by Alexander Bache, a scientist, physicist, and surveyor. The midden contains mollusk shells, artifacts, lithics, human excrement, animal bone, and other items associated with past human occupation by the Native Americans.
Now that you are caught up on the history of the land and the incredible accessible hiking trails, it’s time to have some fun! When you visit Edisto Beach State Park, make sure you try the following fun activities.
Go Boating
Do you like to go boating? You can launch a boat directly into Big Bay Creek. Don’t forget to bring your fishing gear along so you can enjoy a relaxing day on the water, searching for your next big catch. You can also fish from the pier located near the Environmental Learning Center, which has impressive views of Big Bay Creek.
If swimming is on your mind, you can do so at your own risk. Remember, there are no lifeguards on duty throughout the entire beach and waterways.
Take a Walk on the Beach
The palmetto-lined beach is 1.5 miles and filled with history. As you walk along enjoying the scenery, you will come across historic fossils, shells, and spectacular views of sunrises and sunsets.
Go Camping
Get away from city life and enjoy camping at the 120 sites or cabins. There are accommodations for tents and RVs, and 115 of the sites have 50 amp electrical service. If you prefer a cabin, they are located on the saltmarsh, and some offer accommodations up to three-bedroom units to choose from.
If you hear music on occasion, it’s the Happy Truck! You can flag them down and buy delicious boiled peanuts, frozen bananas, and ice cream.
Campsite rules include two tents per site, no outside showers, no kiddie pools, no public display of alcohol, and a maximum of two cars per site. Pets need to be kept on a 6-foot leash at all times when visiting the park to prevent them from harassing wildlife. Pets are not allowed in the cabin area or inside the cabins.
There is free WiFi available if you check the park website for the password.
Learn About History
As mentioned earlier, the park is filled with history dating back to 2000 BC. The park offers guided tours regularly at the Environmental Learning Center. You can learn more about Native American History, historical landmarks, Alexander Bache, and discover more secrets about the park.
Enjoy a Picnic
Two picnic shelters are the perfect place for a group or family gathering. It’s free, but you need to get to the park early because it’s available on a first-come basis. If you are having a picnic worth remembering, such as a family reunion, make sure you stop by the park gift shop at the Ranger Station to purchase some fun gear such as caps and t-shirts.
Go Bird Watching
Capture pictures of unique birds as you explore the trails. Make sure you visit the beach and marsh areas to spot waterfowl. Along the way, you might come across other wildlife such as white-tailed deer, alligators, osprey, and bobcats.
Go Geocaching
There are geocaches hidden worldwide, and that includes here at Edisto Beach State Park. Gather your friends and grab your GPS to find the hidden caches in the park. Just sign on to the geocaching website and enter the park name to get started.
Go on a Botany Bay Ecotour
A variety of tours begin at Edisto Beach State Park, including the Botany Bay Ecotour, Dolphin Boat Ecotour, Sunset Cruise, the Edisto Beach State Park African American Journey with Greg Estevez, and the Private Morgan Island Tour.
Respect the Loggerhead Sea Turtle Protection Program
During your visit, you might come across sea turtles nesting. There are park rules that prohibit vehicles on the beach at night from May 1st to October 31st. Other rules include keeping your dog on a leash, no bright lights after sundown, and remember to take your beach chair and gear with you when you leave.
If you are interested in sea turtles, you can participate in a guided tour at the park. Just visit the website to find out the times and dates the tour is available.
As you can see, there are plenty of things to do at Edisto Beach State Park. You can plan your activities by visiting the website for tour times or show up to participate in other activities.
You want to plan to spend many hours or the entire day at this beautiful state park. Make the most of it by exploring nature, waterways, historical sites, beaches, and more.
If you are a history buff, take advantage of learning about the historical sites at the park. There are tours available throughout the year for an added cost to your park admission.
Whether you are camping, boating, fishing, hiking, relaxing at the beach, or viewing wildlife, Edisto Beach State Park is a great place to make memories and enjoy your day!
Visit today!
Park hours: 7 am to 8 pm daily
Office hours: 9 am to 5 pm Monday – Friday
Admission:
- $8 Adults
- $5 SC seniors
- $4 children ages 6 to 15
- Free for children five years old and younger
Edisto Beach State Park is located at:
8377 State Cabin Rd Edisto Island, SC 29438
Phone: (843) 869-2156
Email: edistobeach@scprt.com