Hunting Island lighthouse reopens for public access

Beaufort County, S.C. - Hunting Island State Park's iconic black and white lighthouse has reopened for public access following an extensive stabilization and preservation project.

The lighthouse closed in 2022 following safety and structural concerns. Restoration work included repairs and reinforcements to the spiral cast-iron staircase, handrails, and observation deck, along with new paint, glass replacement in the lantern room, and repairs to seal the structure to prevent water intrusion.

"When the lighthouse was built, it wasn't meant to be an attraction for visitors," said Duane Parrish, director of the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism. "It was built to be a functioning lighthouse, with one person going up and down the stairs periodically. As the keepers of this nationally registered historic place, it is our duty to ensure the continuity of this invaluable resource that has become an inherent part of our state's brand identity as a tourism destination. With this preservation project, we've not only provided for its continuity but also worked to improve its longevity."

Work was completed by Bennett Preservation Engineering PC (Charleston, SC) and Huss Construction (Charleston, SC). The project cost was $4,750,000. It was funded through: State appropriations in FY22 and FY23 (totaling $4,250,000); 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 of this project is constructing a ground-level structure to house the fragile and historic Fresnel Lens. The first-order Fresnel Lens, the largest and most powerful lighthouse lens type, originally operated in the Morris Island Lighthouse and was moved to the park by the US Coast Guard in 1962, where it has been displayed ever since. The new lens housing structure will be ADA-accessible, allowing it to be better protected and shared. The Friends of Hunting Island (FOHI) have been instrumental in the restoration of the Fresnel lens and in the lens housing project.

Tickets to climb the lighthouse are $5 per person and are available on a first-come, first-served basis in the Oil House, the small white building across from the lighthouse. Climbers must be at least 44 inches tall and must be able to complete the climb independently; carrying or lifting individuals is not permitted, including the use of child carriers. Climbers under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Park admission is a separate fee: $8/adult; $5/SC seniors; $4/child ages 6-15; free for children 5 and under.

Virtual reality headsets are in the park's Visitor Center to guide you up the cast-iron staircase to the top of the lighthouse, with views from every angle of the gallery, all without leaving the ground. A Virtual Reality Mobile Unit, which FOHI created through an Accommodations Tax grant from the City of Beaufort, takes the virtual experience on the road, extending the lighthouse's reach far beyond the park's shoreline. The ADA-accessible trailer is an educational and promotional tool that can be booked for schools, events, and festivals.

The historic Hunting Island lighthouse was built in 1859 and rebuilt in 1875 after it was destroyed during the Civil War. It was constructed of interchangeable cast-iron sections so it could be dismantled should it ever need to be moved. Severe beach erosion made it necessary to relocate the lighthouse 1.3 miles inland in 1889.

Hunting Island State Park is an ever-changing sea island that attracts countless visitors every year. Home to a vast array of land and marine wildlife, the barrier island boasts five miles of white sandy beaches, thousands of acres of marsh and maritime forest, a saltwater lagoon, and an ocean inlet. The park is one of South Carolina's 16 original state parks built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Learn more about Hunting Island State Park at southcarolinaparks.com/hunting-island.

###