Exploring Hunting Island State Park & Shellring Ale Works

Hunting Island State Park, Cypress Wetlands, and Shellring Ale Works

This article is dedicated to my grandpa, Richard Dedels. My grandpa always ensured our Hunting Island trip was booked, staying up late on the reservation hotline. Because of him, we have been able to have some of the best beach trips a family could ask for.

In late September, Jesse and I took a nice break from work and hit the road with our two dogs and camper. We headed down south to Hunting Island State Park in South Carolina and Skidaway Island State Park near Savannah. This article is part 1 of 2 and will be discussing the campgrounds, breweries, and things to do in the areas we stayed in!

Hunting Island State Park

Hunting Island State Park is located in Beaufort County, South Carolina. This park is just over an hour from Savannah. This park is my absolute favorite place to go camping. Hunting Island is actually where I found my love for camping and the outdoors. When I was little, my immediate family and my grandparents would drive down to Hunting Island. Every summer we would camp for a week. Eventually the trip turned into two weeks.

View of the Hunting Island Lighthouse at sunset

We stopped going after Hurricane Matthew greatly impacted the park. However, we have slowly made our way back to Hunting Island. Since the hurricane in 2016, we have made 3 trips back to Hunting Island. I could probably write a small novel about Hunting Island, but to spare you, I am only talking about our most recent trip!

Hunting Island is a barrier island near Beaufort, South Carolina. The entire island is a state park, so the island is completely protected from commercial development. At this park there is a historic lighthouse that you can go to the top of, a fishing pier (even if you don’t fish it is cool to visit), a nature center, a visitor’s center, a saltwater lagoon, hiking trails, and five miles of beach. If you are looking for a beach that is more remote and isn’t lined with high-rises, this is the place for you

Lowcountry Region of South Carolina

There are 102 campsites at this park. We stayed at site 117. We were lucky and managed to get a site that wasn’t too far in the back camping loops of the park. If you have spent any time in the lowcountry region of South Carolina or Georgia, you know that it is hot, humid, and looks like a jungle. If possible, I recommend getting a site that is not in that very back loop. The whole park is nice of course, but the further back in the campsites, the muggier it gets. Our site was open and we were pretty close to our neighbor. Behind us were thick trees and shrubs. Instead of campers directly behind us, we had a family of raccoons. It was fun to watch them in the mornings when eating breakfast!

The campground is located right next to the beach. You don’t have to drive to the beach, you just walk! That is one of the best parts about this park. When we stayed at Jekyll Island’s campground, I did not love having to drive to the beach. But being able to walk there makes such a difference. The beach is not packed either. The campground beach is only open to campers, and there is plenty of room to spread out from other people. The campground also has a nice little campground store. Here, you can get tee shirts, fishing bait, treats, firewood, and ice. Just an FYI, the park is 20 minutes from the nearest Walmart. As you travel down Sea Island Parkway, it gets more remote. The next island after Hunting Island is Fripp Island, but you must have a gate pass to go in.

Wildlife on Hunting Island

One of our favorite things about this beach is the wildlife. This island is amazing for bird watching. We saw dolphins every day. There are plenty of seashells, too. When you go to certain areas that are built up with hotels and resorts, you don’t get to see the coastal wildlife as much. But here at Hunting Island, the wildlife is abundant.

So, we actually did not go hiking at Hunting Island. I know this sounds crazy coming from us, however we also know our limits. Even in September, it is still very hot and humid. We did walk several times up and down the beach, which could kind of be counted as hiking, right?

Great Egrets and Wood Storks at the Cypress Wetlands — A rookery in full swing: Wood Storks (Mycteria americana) and Great Egrets (Ardea alba) gather in the canopy above Cypress Wetlands, their nesting season marked by quiet vigilance and communal grace.

I do however have a recommendation if you still want to take a nature walk and see some of the area’s wildlife. Just a 25 minute drive away is the town of Port Royal, home to the Cypress Wetlands and Rookery. This small park is a boardwalk and trail around a wetland rookery. If you love bird watching, this is such a cool place to visit. We stopped by on our way to a brewery so it was later in the day, around 6:30. We were able to watch so many birds flying in to rest for the night. The trees were filled with egrets and ibises. We also spotted some gallinules and even a black-crowned night heron. And best of all, we saw many alligators! This park is perfect for families. This park is also free to visit!

A Visit to Shellring Ale Works

Very close to the Cypress Wetlands (just .8 miles away!) is Shellring Ale Works. There is only one word to describe this place: WOW. I know that is cheesy, but this is probably one of my favorite breweries we have ever visited. What makes it special? The location! Shellring is located on the banks of Battery Creek. We were able to watch egrets fly to their homes in the marsh as the sun set, all while drinking great beer. I mean come on, what more could you ask for? I am biased because the Lowcountry is a special place for me, but I don’t know if I have ever been happier at a brewery.

Shellring Ale Works on the banks of Battery Creek

It was Oktoberfest when we visited. The brewery was decorated with flags for the occasion. There was also a food truck, a storm water management group holding a public event, a plant sale, and music bingo! This brewery had a lot going on but you can tell this is a popular place in the community. There was inside and outside seating. This location is dog friendly as well. If you need something to eat, there is a restaurant located within walking distance from the brewery, too.

On our visit, I tried the Oktoberfest beer (tis the season!). I also had the seasonal Jelly, which was a watermelon gose. Jesse had the Black Forest Cake double imperial stout. We also both tried the Creekside Cream, a cream ale. We both liked the Oktoberfest and the Creekside Cream the best.

Spending Time at Hunting Island

We were only at Hunting Island for three nights and two full days (arrive Sunday, leave Wednesday). Our original plan was to get there as early as possible to enjoy beach time on Sunday, but on the way down we had a nasty blowout on the camper. That being said, if you are able to go to Hunting Island, make your trip as long as possible. On my visits growing up, we started off going one week at a time, and that still didn’t feel like enough. Then we transitioned to two weeks at a time. I know not everyone can do that, but there is just so much to do and see not only at this park but in the surrounding area. Two full days isn’t nearly enough! But any time spent there is truly special.

I was sad to leave on that Wednesday, but it sure did help knowing our next destination was going to be in Savannah! Click here to read Part 2 of A Camping Tour of the Lowcountry!

Happy Trails,
Katie & Jesse

Tips for your trip to Hunting Island, South Carolina

- September is a great time to visit Hunting Island! It is a little less crowded (even then, not many people are there at a time) and slightly less hot.
- If you are traveling in Georgia and have a roadside problem (blown out tire for example), call 511! They are lifesavers!
- Bring bug spray – camping at Hunting Island is like camping in a jungle.
- Keep your food and trash secure! Hunting Island is home to very large and very unafraid raccoons. They are very smart. They also do not care about your food or your trash! They are the ultimate cute bandits!
- Take walks down the beach, you never know what you will find! I found a roseate spoonbill feather!
- Take a stroll down the fishing pier and visit the nature center there. If you go fishing, be prepared to catch something! We went at night and we both caught rays. Make sure you have the right saltwater fishing gear!
- You HAVE TO visit the Cypress Wetlands! It is free, parking is easy, and if you have a family it is an excellent and rewarding nature walk. I am so happy we were able to go.
- You HAVE TO visit Shellring Aleworks! It is only a 25 minute (and very scenic) drive from Hunting Island.
- Shellring Aleworks is dog and family friendly.
- A restaurant recommendation is Dockside Restaurant on Lady’s Island. It is on the water and also a short drive away from the Cypress Wetlands and Shellring Aleworks.

Hunting Island State Park

- Address: 2555 Sea Island Parkway, Hunting Island, SC 29920 (Google Map)
- Phone: 843-838-2011
- For complete park hours, phone numbers, and park information, visit https://southcarolinaparks.com/hunting-island