Hunting Island Lighthouse to Reopen after Four-Year Closure
May 5, 2026
After more than four years of closure, South Carolina’s only publicly accessible lighthouse is ready to welcome visitors once again. The Hunting Island Lighthouse will reopen Tuesday, May 26, at 11 a.m., with a ribbon cutting ceremony, remarks from speakers, and lighthouse tours open to the public.
The historic structure has been closed since February 2022 while undergoing structural repairs. Its return marks a significant moment for the Lowcountry and for coastal heritage enthusiasts across the state who have waited years for the chance to climb one of South Carolina’s most recognizable landmarks.
Perched along the shores of Hunting Island State Park near Beaufort, the lighthouse has stood as a symbol of the South Carolina coast for generations. Originally constructed in the 1870s, it is one of the few surviving examples of a relocatable lighthouse in the country — a design feature that allowed it to be disassembled and moved inland as the shoreline eroded over the decades.
The May 26 celebration invites the public to mark the occasion alongside state and park officials. Following the ribbon cutting and opening remarks, guests will have the opportunity to climb the lighthouse and take in sweeping views of the surrounding barrier island landscape.
The public is encouraged to arrive early and plan time to enjoy the park’s beaches, nature trails, and marshes in addition to the lighthouse reopening festivities.
Hunting Island State Park is located at 2555 Sea Island Parkway, Saint Helena Island, S.C.
