Edisto Island State Park

Edisto Island, South Carolina

Edisto Island State Park is a 1255 acre state park with camping facilities and an educational center, located on Edisto Island and only 50 miles from Charleston. The island itself has a history dating back thousands of years with Native Americans having been using the land for fishing and farming. In the late 1600's British Settlers and their slaves changed the landscape, by planting indigo and rice. The State Park itself was built on the island in the 1930's from Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal Program by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

You can see the Spanish Mount, a 4000 year old mound of oyster, mussels, and turtle shells. The Edisto Island State Park in an effort to protect the mound from beach erosion, has built a retaining wall. The mound itself was once over 20 feet high and is now only a fraction of its former size.

The Interpretive Center is a totally "green'' building that has hands-on exhibits to teach about the local environment. Here, kids will get to actually touch horseshoe and hermit crabs, whelks, and play on a "shrimp boat''. In the months of June, July, and August you'll be able to take a guided night beach walk for loggerhead turtles that come to lay their eggs here. In fact, campers who stay on the beach side of the camping facilities must keep their lights at night blocked because of the nesting turtles.

There are several hiking trails throughout the state park with many chances to the wildlife and vegetation that call Edisto home. You'll see some of the tallest palmetto and live oak trees, Spanish moss, osprey, deer, alligator, and even maybe a bobcat. For your safety, it is recommended that you stay on the trails while keeping a watchful eye for snakes. Since ticks and mosquitoes can be a hazard in the warmer months, please be sure to wear the proper clothing while hiking.

Camping facilities are available with 111 sites (some on ocean and some on the salt- marsh side) with water and electric hookups. There are some sites that are large enough to accommodate RVs up to 40 foot. Five tent sites are available with tent pads and water. All camping sites are conveniently located near the comfort station with hot water showers. Rates vary for RV or tent sites by season.

Cabins are available for rent near the salt marshes. There are five 2-bedroom cabins that sleep six and two 3-bedroom cabins that also sleep six. All cabins include bed and bath linens, cooking and eating utensils, coffee maker, microwave, television, and screened-in porch. Rates vary for cabin size and season.

Edisto Island State Park's general admission rates are reasonable for the entire family at $4 per adult, $1.50 per child ages 6-15, and children 5 and under are free. The park is open from 9am-6pm daily with extended hours during Daylight Savings Time.