We have some great news for outdoor enthusiasts and beach lovers: South Carolina's favorite and most visited state park will soon nearly double in size - and you won't believe where the added land came from. The state recently negotiated with Ted Turner to acquire his private island just to the south of Hunting Island State Park.
Hunting Island is on the rebound from recent visits from an angry Mother Nature that left the park ravaged on more than one occasion in the last 24 months. The image below shows the horrible shape the property was in recently.
But the park itself is bouncing back beautifully, thanks to much needed work getting completed. For what seemed like the longest time, most of the park was closed, inaccessible after the damages sustained from storms. But she's back now (mostly) and more attractive than ever.
The park's most famous landmark, the Hunting Island Lighthouse, was only recently reopened from the last storm that passed over the popular state park. And the park's most popular feature is about to get some striking competition.
The addition of Ted Turner's private island, St. Phillips Island, which was been listed for sale on the website of Private Islands Inc for quite some time, means everyone's favorite park will double in size - and pick up a few amenities.
For starters, the deal includes the island's main house, originally serving as a private, second home for the media mogul. It remains to be seen what the state will do with the structure.
Additionally, Private Island Inc lists other features of the island as including 4,680 acres of property, 70 acres are staggeringly beautiful oceanfront beaches, and a dock that offers some interesting possibilities for how the state may decide to use it — if at all.
For sure, the landmark aquisition on the part of the state is a soon-to-be bonus for the booming traffic that already heads to the state's most visited state park in the system. And we couldn't be more happy about it!
In conclusion, we'd like to say, Hurry up!
Hunting Island State Park is located 15 miles east of Beaufort and currently includes 5,000 acres featuring swiming, boating, fishing, hiking, biking and camping. For the time being, the South end of the park has some areas that remain closed due to storm damage. Stay current on the parts of the park that are open by visiting the SC State Parks' official website and referencing the "Travel Advisory" section highlighted in bright orange.
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