Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve
Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve is located at the northeastern terminus of Folly Island and adjacent to Cummings Point. Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve played a significant role in the Civil War and was also used throughout the twentieth century by the US Coast Guard. It is the perfect spot for viewing the Morris Island Lighthouse, surf fishing, beachside strolls, wildlife observation, and photography. The site also offers many diverse birding opportunities and is a regular site for organized bird walks.
In addition to oceanfront land, Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve contains marshland and maritime forest habitats that are home to diverse species of plants and animals. Portions of the property are nesting sites for threatened loggerhead sea turtles and threatened Wilson’s Plovers. Some of the grounds are also migratory stopover areas and winter roosting sites for threatened and endangered Piping Plovers. Plans are in place for protecting these habitats.
Hours
- Open daily, sunrise-sunset
Please be aware that no restrooms or concessions are available at the site.
Admission
- $1 per person
- Free: Gold Pass and Individual Pass holders
Rules & Guidelines
- Swimming is not allowed.
- Dogs are not allowed.
- No trespassing in dunes and wooded areas.
- Metal detectors are not allowed. ,
- Camping, hunting or any disturbance to natural and cultural resources is not allowed.
- Rules & Regulations Governing All Charleston County Parks Facilities & Activities (PDF)
City of Folly Beach Parking Rules
- No parking on roadway. All 4 tires must be off the road. If white lines are painted, tires must be outside the white line.
- No parking against traffic. All vehicles must park with the flow of traffic.
- No parking in a crosswalk.
- No parking within 20 feet of an intersection.
- No parking on sidewalks.
- No blocking public or private driveways.
- No parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
- No stopping, standing, or parking in a roadway.
- No diagonal parking unless posted. All parking must be parallel to the roadway.
- No parking on dunes or revetments.
- No parking in ADA accessible parking spaces unless visible ADA license tag or visible permit on vehicle.
- No parking on yellow curbs or within areas marked by yellow or red street lines.
- No parking behind yellow lines.