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Morris Island Lighthouse

4.7 (36 reviews)

Morris Island Lighthouse Photos

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Morris Island lighthouse.
Katherine A.

I never miss a chance to visit a lighthouse and Morris Island Lighthouse is a must see on a visit to Folly Beach. What makes this lighthouse so unique is that it stands on an island that is submerged under water. The lighthouse, which closed in 1962, is in a state of disrepair, but still stands a proud beauty. Morris Island is north of Folly Beach. To view the lighthouse, drive north to the end of the island. There is limited street parking at the entrance to the beach. You must park completely off the pavement to avoid a ticket. There is no charge to park or enter the beach park. We followed a graffiti filled quarter mile paved trail to see the lighthouse. There is a short climb to the beach where exquisite views of the lighthouse await. On our December visit, we were the only visitors to the picturesque beach.

Graffiti Road
Michelle H.

Beautiful place to play tourist and get some great pics. Interesting walk down to the beach as the paved road is adorned with graffiti.

Tom K.

While you can't actually "visit" the Morris Island Lighthouse, you'll find that it's totally worth taking the time to come here for a look-see. At one time the lighthouse was on land, but now it's several hundred feet offshore; it's a piece of history, and totally worth seeing as picture of Charleston rich history. Picture the countless ships that were guided into the harbor over the years. Imagine the battles and the hurricanes that this landmark has weathered. This lighthouse is a symbol of survival and strength that you can almost feel when you're in the vicinity :-) On the downside, it isn't easy to find parking and you have to walk a ways after entering the park to get to the beach, but to me it was totally worth making the trek. Tip: Be sure to bring one dollar per person for beach admission.

Peter P.

This is a secluded beach way on the west end of the island. You have to walk about 1/4 mile from the parking area to get there. The beach is kind of dirty and there is a lot of graffiti. You do get a good view of the old lighthouse which used to be on land but is now surrounded by water.

Brittany V.

Great for dolphin watching and relaxing! Don't forget your bug spray though, those sand gnats are no joke out here. We walked the graffiti road on Folly to get to the beach and that was also very fun.

Kelly R.

I checked another item off my bucket list today. We caught the sunrise (in 40 degree weather) at Folly Beach and saw the morning gleam off the Morris Island Lighthouse. There are no words to describe how beautiful it was. To think that the same sun I saw christen the shore lines of Folly Beach this crisp early dawn is the same sun that had just left the European continent. I stood in awe of its beauty and took in how one, over looked, and taken-for-granted sunrise can put everything into focus. Society moves at such a fast pace that sometimes it's good to stop, remove yourself from the blur and to give thanks for the simple things like another day that the sun has risen to cast out the darkness one more time.

Beautiful
Joan M.

Amazing stretch of beautiful unspoiled litter free beach. Take a left on Ashley as you enter the town of Folly. Drive all the way to Cul de Sac. There is paid parking $7.00) It's an all day flat rate! on the right near the cul de sac although I managed to secure street parking. Then I paid $1.00 park fee. It's honour system & headed to see the beach & lighthouse. Lots of people on bicycles. It's about a ten min stroll until you hit the hot hot sand. Worth it for that breathtaking view. Wow, quiet, serene picturesque place. No swimming allowed but I have to admit I did sit at the shore to cool off. Lots of locals fishing here. Make sure to check the Tides before you go. It needs to be low tide or you will not enjoy the full experience it had to offer plus of course you could get stranded, say you went for a beach stroll. Be very careful. Go, experience this amazing place.

Mark L.

This is my 500th Review!!! Do I make it long...short....in between...? Do I go witty, professional, charming or lay out the whole kitchen sink? So much pressure.. Ok deep breath. All calm, focus, mute Netflix and think long and hard how you want to formulate this milestone review. I think I wore myself out just prepping. I can do it. Get your head in the game Mark. Morris Island Lighthouse. To some it is the great escape. Just past Folly Beach and The Washout, is a piece of natural beachfront with a long rock formation, dead trees embedded into the sand, a metal foundation with Love spray painted and one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the Southeast. With a half a mile walk just to get to the spot, this place challenges its patrons. Why do people go through all the effort to see this? 1. Fishing 2. Sunsets and sunrises 3. Pondering life on the rocks 4. Engagement pictures 5. Intimate wedding spot 6. Quiet beach picnic 7. Photographers dream 8. Drone photographers dream There are many reasons people come to this quiet escape. For me, it is the natural wonder of the imagery all around. When the clouds linger over the lighthouse as the sun sets bringing an ominous blue to the sky, there aren't words. There are many favorite places in Charleston and even as the area evolves, this remains as one of them.

Megan R.

Worth the drive to see. Oldest lighthouse in South Carolina. It's about 1/4 mile walk to get to the lookout point but there is a nice little portion of semi secluded beach to soak up some sun. No swimming in that area due to deadly currants but nice place to layout and enjoy the sounds of the ocean.

Tran N.

You can parallel park right before the cul de sac. They do not allow dogs in there so you would have to leave your pets in the car. The walk to see the lighthouse is about 10 minutes. But that's just to SEE the lighthouse. On the pathway to the beach there were a lot of peace like graffiti on the pavement. From Hearts to the words like "I love you" and some structures with stairs. Once you reach the end you'll see the beach. You can just chill on the beach and on the rocks which is the best place to take pictures! The lighthouse was actually further than I thought so I didn't walk all the way up there. However from far away it didn't look as nice as the lighthouses on the outer banks. But it's still a nice view.

Tom P.

Awesome spot at the west end of Folly Beach Island, very historic Morris Island light house, awesome spot for photography, it is a great private part of the beach with lots of natural dune space, the walk is a bit farther then you think and the soft sand at the end can wear you out if you are older and not in great shape so try to early in the mornings before it gets too hot!!! If you have every seen the Civil War movie "Glory" Morris Island was the last battle scene of that movie, this really is a historic spot and a must see when visiting Charleston and guess what, it's free!!!

Timothy A.

Nice walk to the lighthouse (1/4 mile of paved and beach walking). Low tide is the best time to go, to really enjoy the beach and a longer walk. High tide can limit how much you're able to walk (and collect shells). Don't go during prime beach time as parking near the entrance is limited, but not a deterrent from going. I've been here a handful of times already and will continue to come visit. Great for photography as well.

Rick T.

One of SC oldest lighthouses at the end of Folly Beach with parking in designated spots don't block people's driveways. A decent walk to the see this old gem, I suggest morning while it is cool in the summer. It is an awesome spot to see dolphins up close. Folks also fish out here and collect sea shells as they differ a little from the main beach due to the rough currents. I've heard it's a better spot for finding sharks teeth but I didn't find any in my two trips. I suggest 45 mins to an hour or more depending how many pictures you will be taking. In my book it's a must see built in 1874 I believe with conservation projects designed on preserving it for future generations to see.

Quite a bit down the walkway ...

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10 months ago

Amazing and worth the walk. Lots of people there. Many photographers taking family pictures. Beautiful setting

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4 years ago

Beautiful peaceful spot worth the drive on a sunny day. If you are in the Charleston area check it out

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8 years ago

Very pretty and worth the walk! You can appreciate the age and historical significance of the lighthouse when you see it in person.

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Review Highlights - Morris Island Lighthouse

The sense of space here is amazing for Charleston, particularly away from the beaten paths on Rat along the Inlet.

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City of Folly Beach

City of Folly Beach

4.3(15 reviews)
4.3 mi

Nice beach to walk. Free pier to walk. The pier has nice chairs to sit in and relax and eat. Plenty…read moreof fishing spot in the Pier as well.

Folly Beach is the laid back community town at the "Edge of America!" City offices are all located…read moreon Centre Street amidst the bars, restaurants, and shops. There's a Fire Station around the corner too. This city has something for everyone. There's a pier for fishing, beach for sunning, ocean for swimming. There's a County Park at the West End, and the lighthouse at the East End. There's a nice boat landing on the Folly River just as you come onto the island. Beautiful sunset views. Watch the sun rise behind the lighthouse. Watch the posted rules at each overpass. No dogs from 10 am - 6 pm most of the year and they must be on leashes at other times. No glass or alcohol allowed. Don't walk on the sand dunes because you will destroy the precious sea oats. It's a rule with a purpose. We want future generations to enjoy what we have today. Also, pack it in, pack it out. Do not litter! When parking, make sure all tires are off the road. You also need to park in the direction of the traffic flow. There are still some free parking spots on side streets, but there is a convenience with parking and paying the station. Unfortunately, the pay stations are kind of spread out and not always easy to coordinate. You must guess how long you will be there and pay accordingly. There are pay lots on the first few blocks off of Centre, but prices vary based on the time of year.

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City of Folly Beach
City of Folly Beach
City of Folly Beach

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Fort Sumter National Monument

Fort Sumter National Monument

4.3(168 reviews)
4.0 mi

This was an amazing experience. I would suggest planning this out ahead of time. The Fort is free…read more You need to pay for the ferry that takes you there. Tickets can be bought online or at the visitor center. Small discount if you buy the tickets online. There are two spots for the ferry. One is in Charleston and the other is Patriot Point in Mt Pleasant. I left from Charleston. It's about a 30 minute ferry ride to the fort. You get to see views of the bridge and the USS Laffey on the way to the fort. I enjoyed my time there. I was on the last tour of the day. The last tour looks for volunteers to take the flag down for the day. I would suggest volunteering, it was very memorable. There was a lot of historical information that the rangers went over. It's self guided but you can talk to the rangers and ask questions. Ranger Chris was amazing. Very personable and full of knowledge. He definitely enjoyed what he does. He spoke for a portion of the ride back to give more information including places to eat in Charleston. I would visit again, but this time leave from Patriot Point to see the museum.

We took the tour out to Fort Sumter. It was a nice ride out there but I can see how it could get…read moretreacherous with the water and currents around the fort. It was a very somber experience wandering around and looking at what this event were stationed here had to deal with. They did not have anyplace to run. It makes you wonder about those soldiers tht put their lives on the line. The place is maintained very well and it's a self guided tour with a brochure/map to help you understand. To see the cannons in the classmates and just imagine the noise and rumbling when they were fired. If you are into history it's a great place.

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Fort Sumter National Monument - Ft Sumter

Ft Sumter

Fort Sumter National Monument - Casemates

Casemates

Fort Sumter National Monument

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Fort Lamar Historic Preserve - One of the few trails of this Heritage Preserve.

Fort Lamar Historic Preserve

3.0(3 reviews)
3.7 mi

For years I've driven by the road and markers on James Island that head out to the Fort Lamar…read moreHistoric Preserve without ever stopping until finally one day recently my curiosity got the better of me. Despite being documented as the second most important Civil War site in South Carolina, the preserve is in need of a little bit of TLC. The preserve is on the site of the Battle of Secessionville in which a Confederate force of 1,250 defeated 3,500 Union troops on June 16, 1862. This is one of the few land battle sites fought in the state during the Civil War. Few physical remnants of the battle or fort remain today, but visitors can visit self-guided hiking trails to discover the history of the area. The preserve covers both sides of the road. You'll want to park in the area where you see monuments and memorials to the site as well as an informational double-sided billboard. You'll need to cross the street to begin the main hiking trail (unpaved). My main issue is that DNR (the agency responsible for upkeep of the site) doesn't appear to be visiting the site frequently as the brochure bin that you pick up the map to guide you on the trail seemed to have been empty for quite some time. This is an issue as there are no signs along the trail to tell you what you're looking at or provide historical context. Simply small number plaques that I assume would align with information in the brochure/map that was unavailable in the parking area. As it was - my friends and I ended up not completing the whole hike through the site as we had no idea how long the trail went and without the context for what we were looking at - it was more or less just a nice stroll in the woods along the marsh. If I could get my hands on one of the maps to actually self-guide myself through the trail I would definitely come back to this important historical site.

One of my favourite little treasures of James Island and the area of Charleston. This Heritage…read morepreserve serves to remind us of the battle that occurred on June 16, 1862 where it is told that the confederates who were way outnumbered by the union soldiers won the battle. Ultimately this battle was one of the many that saved the city of Charleston. It's a quiet place under the huge grand oak trees where there are many walking trails to see the old earth and works and areas where this battle took place. This historical monument has water on each side of the road and gives you a reminiscent feel of what occurred on these grounds. Unfortunately due to modern construction and lot of the earthenworks, or batteries, were destroyed. If you're in the area I would definitely recommend checking this out. Just a note trash is carry in and carry out only. Please don't leave your trash here as it's currently overseen by the DNR and multiple volunteers to keep this place up. Please respect it for the history that it holds and the people who fought and died here.

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Fort Lamar Historic Preserve
Fort Lamar Historic Preserve - Parking lot

Parking lot

Fort Lamar Historic Preserve - Monument to those who fought here.

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Monument to those who fought here.

Morris Island Lighthouse - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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