Marsh Boardwalk Trail

Huntington Beach State Park is a small coastal preserve and state park near Murrells Inlet, in South Carolina. The park features Atalaya a picturesque winter home that belonged to Anna Hyatt Huntington who donated the park and nearby Brookgreen Gardens. The park is named after Huntington who used the area as a private beach and studio during the winter months. She and her husband Archer lived in a white Moorish-styled mansion on the south end of the beach and called the site Atalaya. It is now open to the public and is registered as a National Historic Landmark.  There is also an Education Center, campground, and numerous trails in the park.

Huntington Beach State Park has a few scenic hiking trails that take you through diverse landscapes, including maritime forests, salt marshes, and sand dunes. These trails are great for birdwatching, wildlife spotting, and enjoying the peaceful coastal environment.  This hike is on the Marsh Boardwalk Trail which heads west from the Education Center via a wooden pier for 0.25 miles to the swamp. The boardwalk crosses tidal creeks and there is plenty of wildlife to see here – especially at low tide. Views to the South include Freshwater Lagoon, and the hike is easy and suitable for children of all ages.