Hello, Adventurers! If this is your first time visiting the Coastal Expeditions blog, we want to take a moment to welcome you! You must be here because you love the outdoors, exploring nature, and learning about animals! Well, if so, you’ve come to the right place! Here on the Coastal Expeditions blog we dive deep into different habitats, excursions, conservation efforts and nature programs. If you’re a return reader who’s already familiar with what we offer, welcome back! Thank you for being committed to learning! Our previous post titled, ‘Hiking Must Haves: How to Make the Most of Your Nature Treks,’ is about hiking safety tips and what you should bring along to be comfortable during your hike. We recommend checking out our last post, as you’ll need all of those items to enjoy hiking the places we’ll talk about today!

Late summer doesn’t receive as much attention as it deserves. While June is still dazzling from the showers of spring and July is reigning supreme as high summer, August is an equally stunning time to enjoy the heat and the sun before things cool off. Today, we’ll discuss a handful of hiking treasures here in the Lowcountry which are calling your name! As always, if you want to make the most of some of these locations, you’d be better served joining one of our guided hiking tours (which we’ll discuss at the end of this article)! Nevertheless, the hikes mentioned here are open to anyone and will provide the most fun for you and your family! Read on if you’re interested in learning more!

Spanish Moss Trail (Beaufort)

The Spanish Moss Trail is a 10-mile-long hiking and biking trail located in Beaufort, South Carolina. The trail is based off of old railways spanning from northern Beaufort County all the way to Port Royal. The railway was active, from the 1800s to 2003, but is now a paved trail. The trail is wheelchair accessible and offers ample parking. There’s an entrance located at Beaufort Plaza and the trail extends to the town of Port Royal, with planned extensions down to the tip of Port Royal and up past Seabrook. On the nearly ten-mile stretch, you’ll pass Battery Creek, where you’re likely to find wood stocks nestled in Spanish moss-draped trees. Interesting historical points along the trail—including the old Seacoast Packing Company and the Pick Pocket Plantation—are marked with signposts or plaques. Feel free to bring along your pets, just make sure they’re leashed. There are doggie bag stations, restrooms, and recreations (such as a calisthenics jungle gym on the Westvine Trailhead) along the way, as well.

Budget at least two hours to take in this scenic trail. Consider bringing along your fishing gear, as there are plenty of great spots to fish. Additionally—in case you weren’t aware—August is the best time to see butterflies in South Carolina! They’re currently swarming flower bushes and searching for food. Therefore, keep an eye out for some of the butterflies native to our state, including Cassius Blue and Monarch butterflies. If you’re interested in a leisurely hike, with plenty of benches for down time and gorgeous water views, the Spanish Moss Trail might be for you!

Hilton Head Audubon (Hilton Head)

The Hilton Head Audubon is a nature and wildlife preserve, committed to protecting inhabitant and migratory birds of the Lowcountry and promoting responsible environmental stewardship. You can visit the Audubon at no expense and hike the easy trails there from dawn to dusk. The Audubon consists of over fifty acres of lush land, filled with an assortment of flora and fauna. As well, you’re likely to see SC-native birds such as the Great Blue Heron, the White Ibis, and the Eastern Screech Owl. The Audubon does have a code of Birding Ethics, which you might want to read up on (available on their website) before visiting. The main theme is to be as respectful of the birds living there as possible. After all, you wouldn’t want a bird in your home making loud noises and knocking over your coffee, would you? As well, be particularly cautious when hiking around active nests and nesting colonies, or feeding colonies. We hope you enjoy your trip to Audubon!

Hunting Island State Park (Beaufort)

The Hunting Island State Park is a popular attraction among tourists and locals alike! The sprawling island park is about five-thousand acres, which means even after multiple trips, you still won’t have exhausted the wonder of this attraction. The park includes a five-mile long beach, marshes, maritime forests, a saltwater lagoon and an ocean inlet. These are just some of the spectacular ecological features of Hunting Island State Park. There are eight separate trails to explore on the island for eager hikers. The shortest trail, the Palmetto Pines Pass (marked yellow), connects the lagoon to the maritime forest. The second shortest trail, the Marsh Boardwalk Trail (marked brown), is recognized as a National Recreational Trail and provides a wonderful view of the marsh. The third shortest trail, the Marsh Boardwalk Crossover (marked burgundy), connects three other trails to the Marsh Boardwalk. The fourth shortest trail, the Lighthouse Nature Trail (marked gold), leads hikers through the forest’s edge to the ocean. The fifth shortest trail, the Nature Center Scenic Trail (marked blue), leads from the nature center and intersects with three other trails; it also serves as a path from the cabin area. All of the trails mentioned up until this point are under a mile and are great options for those who are not physically capable of hiking long distances or for children.

The longest trail is the Diamondback Rattlesnake Trail (marked orange), which measures in at two-point-three miles and is better suited for experienced hikers and bikers. The second longest trail, the Maritime Forest Trail (marked green), is two miles and will take you deeper into the forest than any other trail. On this trail, you’re more likely to see wildlife, such as hawks and deer. The third longest trail, the Lagoon Access Recreation Trail (marked purple), is one-point-four miles and carves a path from the parking lot, through the forest, to the lagoon and other various habitats. Finally, the fourth longest trail is the Magnolia Forest Trail (marked grey), which leads from the campgrounds to the entrance gate, is lined with magnificent magnolias and accessible by vehicle.

Since Hunting Island State Park is such a mammoth nature preserve, we understand if you’d like a bit of guidance before venturing out into the wild. The state park website is filled with helpful resources. As well, if you’re not quite ready for a hike, Coastal Expeditions offers Hunting Island Dolphin Cruise. The ferry ride to the island will be filled with interesting facts about the local wildlife and bottlenose dolphin sightings! Check out our available dates if you’re interested!

Crystal Lake, a twenty-five acre park in Beaufort, offers a scenic lake trail and excellent fishing opportunities. The Cypress Wetlands Walking Trail offers a diverse selection of marsh and swamp-dwellers, including hundreds of species of bird. Meanwhile, Congaree Park offers the oldest hardwood forest still present in the southeast. South Carolina—and particularly the Lowcountry—is filled with ample spaces to enjoy the wonder of nature and the companionship of wildlife. We hope you’ll take advantage of the beauty late summer has to offer and get outside!

Are you looking for nature tours, kayak rentals, paddleboard rentals, island tours, kid-friendly tours and chances to explore the Lowcountry? We can help you that and more! Check out our various offerings and find which one suits you and your adventurous spirit! Read up new experiences being offered by Coastal Expeditions on this blog. Until next time, readers. Get out there and explore! Adventure awaits!