I know everyone is in the midst of summer plans, but if you’re a planner like me, I’m always thinking ahead to our next family trip. If you’re planning a winter getaway, now is the time to start booking!
☀️ Escaping the Winter Blues: Why We Head South
For the past few years, our family of nine has taken a winter reprieve to the South and sunshine. Maryland is a beautiful state, but the month of February is a tough one to get through. Every year, we have been so grateful to escape winter’s drudgery and gloom. Thank goodness that God created the South!
We usually go to the panhandle of Florida, which we absolutely love—yet it is a trek. This past year, we decided to change it up and go to South Carolina to cut our drive time in half. A very dear friend recommended Hunting Island State Park, and it turned out to be a gem.
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🚗 Travel Day: From Maryland to South Carolina
We left early on a Saturday morning. Normally, we drive through the night, but since it was only 9 hours (versus 15), we decided on a wee-hour departure. This way the kids sleep for at least half the drive. I do recommend this way when travelling with kids. Avoid as much daytime driving as possible! We also timed it so we could have breakfast at the famous Buc-ee’s.
I find Buc-ee’s a little overstimulating, but they had great breakfast tacos and it was a fun distraction for the kids—they were so excited to get a picture with Buc-ee! We arrived at Hunting Island State Park early afternoon, and I was thrilled to smell the ocean air.
🌦️ First Impressions and the Campsite Setup
As I kept checking my weather app, I realized the temps weren’t going to be as warm as I’d hoped—but we were on vacation to take a break from the daily grind, and we were determined to make the best of it.
The campsite was tucked away into beautiful South Carolina foliage. The campground had RV sites in view of the beach (and tent sites even closer!), but with possible rain coming, we were happy to be back in the trees. Our campsite also felt very private.
We found lots to do—hiking trails, a nature center, and we were just a half hour from the quaint, historic town of Beaufort. There’s also the Hunting Island Lighthouse (which has a small entrance fee), but unfortunately, it was closed for construction. We’ll have to return to check it out!
🌲 Hiking Adventures in the South Carolina Wild
We hiked four trails: Magnolia Forest Trail, Nature Center Trail, Beach Trail, and the Marsh Boardwalk.
- Magnolia Forest Trail is an easy, kid-friendly hike. I mistakenly thought it connected to the Nature Center, so we got a little turned around and hiked farther than necessary—but it was still a beautiful trail filled with magnolia trees.
- The Nature Center Trail was a highlight. It’s a boardwalk over the lagoon, and while walking it, we saw dolphins!
- We later walked the Beach Trail, which connects to Little Hunting Trail—an area filled with hurricane-eroded trees that had washed ashore. The kids climbed the smooth trunks while we took in the views.
- The Marsh Boardwalk Trail is a short .3-mile walk over the wetlands. It was chilly when we went, but it would be perfect for a sunset walk in warmer weather.
The Nature Center also rents out fishing rods for free—already set up! While the kids didn’t catch anything, the joy of the moment made the memory.
🐊 Wildlife, Ice Cream, and a Hidden National Historic Site
On the way back from the Nature Center, we stopped at the Visitor Center. It didn’t have much going on, but there was a big gator in the pond that excited the kids. We saw so many gators on this trip!
It rained when we visited Beaufort, but that didn’t stop us from getting our traditional vacation ice cream. As we left the shop, I saw a National Park Ranger—I was confused since I thought there were no national parks nearby. She told us to visit the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park nearby. It was perfect for the rainy day! The ranger was thrilled to have company, and the kids earned another Junior Ranger badge. It was so special to be where Harriet Tubman had once given a speech.
🏖️ Sand Dollars, Pizza, and Cypress Wetlands
The beach was walking distance from our campsite. It wasn’t beach weather, but we enjoyed peaceful walks. Whole sand dollars washed up at low tide—I’ve never seen so many intact ones. It felt like a treasure chest had opened up on the sand.
One day, we walked part of the Spanish Moss Trail in town. It was a paved trail where the kids used scooters and bikes, but not the prettiest—so we cut it short and grabbed lunch at Old School Pizza. Highly recommend! Great pizza, walk-up window, and outdoor seating near the Cypress Wetlands Boardwalk, which turned out to be filled with gators and birds.
🦝 Raccoon Races and No Cell Service
The raccoons were nightly entertainment. Around 6 p.m. every evening, they came out—fat and bold—whether we were there or not. So it became a race to clean up and stash food before the first raccoon arrived. I love how camping simplifies life – our only worry was the racoons. How amusing!
One of my favorite things: no cell reception. It was glorious. I downloaded Greeking Out podcast episodes ahead of time, and the kids listened in their sleeping bags every night.
💤 Cold Nights, Cozy Fixes, and Family Memories
Nights were chilly—not quite the winter escape we imagined, but still warmer than home! Our camper heat didn’t work, so Paul bought a small heater at Walmart (thankful for electric sites!). It worked well, and we slept in late to avoid cold mornings outside. (Grateful to catch up on sleep and not have the demands of our usual busy days!) The last night dipped to 14°F wind chill, so we consolidated into one tent bed and on the dinette and couch (which both fold downs)—and stayed warm.
Even with some rain, being tucked in the trees kept things cozy. We set up a canopy and Paul bought a tabletop cornhole game at the gift shop. It was a surprise hit! I highly recommend adding one to your camping gear.
🏥 A Minor Mishap and a Memorable Ending
We almost made it through the week injury-free—until the last night, when Paul accidentally folded the camping table on Gregory’s finger. It was a bad cut, so off to the local ER we went. Thankfully, it just needed glue. My dad, who vacationed with us, stayed with the other kids—so grateful for his help!
✅ Final Thoughts: Should You Camp at Hunting Island State Park?
Absolutely! I’d definitely recommend Hunting Island State Park as a family vacation destination.
- Campsites are a bit pricier ($45+/night), but the facilities, privacy, and proximity to the beach are worth it.
- South Carolina is a budget-friendly state, and everything we did was affordable.
- Consider visiting in March for warmer weather.
- Book early—winter campsites fill fast!
Even though it was unseasonably cold and rainy, we made beautiful memories and are already dreaming of our return.
If you are planning a camping trip soon, don’t forget to grab my free printable camping checklist below!
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