How do you get to Edisto Beach State Park and is parking available?

Edisto Beach State Park is located on Edisto Island, approximately 45 miles south of Charleston. From Charleston, take Highway 17 South to Highway 174, which leads directly to the island and park entrance. The park offers ample parking near the beach access points, included with your admission fee. Day-use admission is charged per vehicle. There's no public transportation to the island, so a personal vehicle is necessary. The park entrance is well-marked on Highway 174 before reaching the town of Edisto Beach.

Are there restaurants and accommodations near Edisto Beach State Park?

The park itself offers camping with full-service campsites and rustic cabins for overnight stays, requiring advance reservations. No restaurants operate within the park, so bring food and drinks or visit nearby Edisto Beach town, about 3 miles away, which has several casual seafood restaurants, small grocery stores, and vacation rental options. The island maintains a quiet, residential character with limited commercial development. For more dining variety, Charleston is 45 miles north. Pack coolers and beach supplies before arriving, as on-island options are basic.

What makes Edisto Beach State Park good for shelling and fossil hunting?

Edisto Beach State Park is renowned among beachcombers for exceptional shelling and fossil hunting. The beach regularly yields fossilized shark teeth, some millions of years old, particularly after storms and at low tide. Common shells include sand dollars, whelks, and Atlantic cockles. The 1.5-mile maritime forest trail also provides access to tidal creeks excellent for finding intact shells. Early morning low tides offer the best collecting opportunities. This abundance results from the island's position and offshore geological formations that concentrate marine fossils and shells.

Edisto Island · South Carolina · USA

Edisto Beach State Park Beach

You'll park beneath live oaks draped in Spanish moss and emerge onto a beach where the tide delivers fossilized treasures to your feet each morning. Families spread blankets near the tidal creek while shorebirds trace patterns in the wet sand, and the only soundtrack is wind through the palmettos.

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Edisto Island·South Carolina·USA

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About this beach

The approach tells you everything: a two-lane road threading through Lowcountry forest, past roadside vegetable stands and weathered fish camps, then a turn into the state park where centuries-old oaks form a canopy over the campsites. The beach unfolds in shades of beige and gray—sand the color of parchment, driftwood bleached silver by sun and salt, and th…

Where it is

Edisto Beach State Park Beach

Edisto Island, South Carolina, USA

32.4878°, -80.3238°

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Top things to do

At Edisto Beach State Park Beach

Hunt Shark Teeth

Search morning low tide lines

Wade Gentle Surf

Gradual slope for safe swimming

Paddle Salt Creeks

Explore tidal marsh waterways

Walk Nature Trail

One-mile maritime forest loop

Near this beach

Places, rentals, tours and events within walking and driving distance of Edisto Beach State Park Beach.

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Questions people actually ask about Edisto Beach State Park Beach.

Is Edisto Beach State Park Beach safe for swimming with children?

Edisto Beach State Park is generally safe for family swimming, with calm waters and gentle waves typical of South Carolina's barrier islands. The beach has no lifeguards on duty, so supervise children closely. The gradual slope into the ocean makes it suitable for younger swimmers. Be aware of occasional strong currents, especially during storms or changing tides. Jellyfish can be present during summer months. The park offers a sheltered, less crowded environment compared to commercial beaches, making it easier to watch kids.

What is the best time to visit Edisto Beach State Park?

Edisto Beach State Park welcomes visitors year-round, with each season offering different advantages. Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) provide comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, and excellent shelling opportunities. Summer (June-August) offers warm water ideal for swimming but brings higher humidity and peak visitor numbers. Winter months are quieter and perfect for beachcombing, bird watching, and dolphin spotting, though ocean temperatures are too cold for swimming. Weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends regardless of season.