Hiking Trail

Capers Island
Department of Natural Resources Heritage Preserve
(Charleston County)

TrailMap

Description: From the dock you will be walking mainly on old roads through maritime forest growth passing under live oak, magnolia, cedar, and palmetto trees. A large impoundment is home to wide assortment of animals such as raccoons, snakes, and alligators and water birds such as herons, ibises, wood storks, egrets, and bitterns. Along the shoreline you may see sandpipers, loons, cormorants, pelicans, and gulls. Due to erosion parts of the beach are lined with trees that are dead, but are still beautiful in their starkness. Some of this wood is beautiful, but it is illegal to remove anything from this island.

There are no facilities on this island, so bring everything you may need for your visit. Due to the rapid growth of foliage in this area, parts of the trail may be overgrown, so be aware that poison oak and poison ivy are abundant. Insect repellent is highly recommended about eight months of the year.

Length: Approximately 5.0 miles of trails.

Fees: No fee.

Directions: Capers Island is only accessible by boat and anchoring at the dock on Capers Inlet (Marker 99 ICWW). Consult tide tables and have navigational charts before making this trip, because it is very easy to run aground.

Hours: Dawn to dusk

Camping: Primitive camping by permit only. Call 843-795-6530.

Information: DNR Heritage Trust Program, P.O. Box 12559, Charleston, SC, 29412. Phone: Telephone: 843-795-6530.