All arrangements for camping should be made with the supervisor of the Santee Coastal Reserve. Each person must sign in and out of the preserve at a designated entrance/exit. The scenery and wildlife were the typical for the low country area. You might be surprised to come across an alligator in the woods near the ponds. If you're unsure of paddling out to the island, make arrangements to borrow a jon boat, or contact Barrier Island Eco Tours. }, } Tour the gardens, boat tour, tram tour, Audubon tour, plantation tour, etc. "options": false Camping is only allowed on the North and South ends of the island. This is a lollipop loop trail that is on an old forest road. Capers IS a beautiful island. The Department may condition permits to protect, preserve, or maintain the property. "styles": { These 80 people may be divided into no more than 20 different groups. We climbed up onto the DNR boat dock and walked the Watson McCaskill trail through part of the interior of the island fascinated by all of the butterflies and cactus poking up through the sandy soil. The beaches on Cedar and Murphy Islands will be open year round, seven days a week. If you are going to need any food or drink while you are out on Capers, make sure to bring it with you. No more than 80 people will be allowed to camp per night. This is Aalto. No camping will be allowed that may conflict with organized hunts. You will need it about 8 months out of the year. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. The Department will not issue a permit to camp in excess of fourteen consecutive days. }, View birds nesting and flowers blooming! The creeks and marshes adjacent to Capers are alive with oysters, shrimp, hard clams, crabs and many species of fish such as sea trout, red drum, flounder, black drum, king whiting, spot, pompano, and croaker. "options": false } else { The following roads are open year round: Murray Road, Pine Log Landing Road, Mouth of Catfish Creek Road. DNR Managed Lands Regulations. Directions from Charleston: Take Hwy 17 N to the Isle of Palms Connector. There is limited parking at the boat landing. } The naturalist guide will explain the local ecology and wildlife seen along the way. The following roads are open year round: Brittons Neck Road/Woodbury Road, Pet Lawrimore Road, Sampson Landing Road, Sanders Landing Road, Parker Landing Road. Capers is also accessible from Gadsdenville Landing in Mt. These permits are completely free; just make sure you obtain them through the proper procedures. I saw several egrets, herons, various shore birds, dolphins feeding, etc. } else { Someone (me!) var script = document.createElement('script'); As we neared landfall on the southern end of Capers we could see the line of breakers out in the inlet, but our ride was glass smooth and we beached our kayaks about 2 hours and 15 minutes after putting in at the marina. I would recommend planning this trip later in the fall to avoid the heat, humidity, and mosquitoes. ui.createComponent('product', { South Carolina Department of Natural Resources -. This is enjoyable as a local but would be a wonderful experience for paddlers not accustomed to the views of this area. Horse may be ridden on any road that is not posted as closed to horse riding. "product": { Camping is only permitted on the island's north and south ends. We did use Deet just in case, but the heavy rain preceding our arrival coupled with a good onshore breeze might have kept the legendry swarms away from us. } "button": "View product" Horseback riding by permit only, only on roads open to motorized vehicles, no groups larger than 5 horses, and no horseback riding during any open hunting seasons. Capers is a large island, so break your hikes up day by day. Camping is allowed only during Department designated archery hunts. I-26 to I-526 toward Isle of Palms. Kayak Camp on Capers Island . A person may use an all terrain vehicle while actually engaged in hunting at any time hunting is allowed; provided, however, the operation of an all terrain vehicle is restricted to one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset with the exception of game retrieval, and an all terrain vehicle may be used only on open roads. Permits may be acquired on a first-come first-serve basis during regular business hours M-F 8:30-5pm by contacting Rachel Milan or 843-953-9360. } There arent any inclines and hardly any obstacles in your path to trip you up. "margin-bottom": "0px" Gate color can may be changed as discretion of SCDNR. Is it possible for you to stay on Capers Island? A map of the island can be found via the South Carolina Dept. A camper may remain in one location no more than five consecutive nights. }, James Island County Park Campground . "buttonWithQuantity": true Horse riding by permit only on roads open to motorized vehicle traffic, upland areas only, no "option": {}, Pleasant. by guest-paddler A self-supported trip created by guest-paddler . Only accessible by boat, the potential for people is minimal. Launch from the Isle of Palms Marina, and head east up the Intracoastal Waterway. "@media (min-width: 601px)": { A camper may remain in one location no more than five consecutive nights. "text": { Camping on the island is strictly by permit from SC Department of Natural Resources, and they only hand out 80 for a night. Horseback riding allowed on roads open to motorized vehicles and no horseback riding during any open hunting season. Horseback riding is allowed by permit only on designated roads. South Carolina Dept. "margin-left": "20px", script.async = true; Poe's also has a huge selection of local beer that you can sip on while kicking back on the front porch with your crew. The property is closed to all public access from November 1 to January 21, except for scheduled waterfowl hunts. Left on Highway 17 after exiting I-526 then a right on 517 and over a bridge onto Isle of Palms. Remember to get a camping permit from the DNR before you go. Two fisherman got hopped out and hollered that they were going to make camp right behind our site, beyond the dunes if we didn't mind. Camping is allowed only by permit issued by the Department. But a few other odds and ends you may want to bring are dry bags, clothing that will protect you from the sun while paddling, and a hefty amount of DEET, or your favorite mosquito spray. feeding in the ICW, tons of birds, and thanks to the heavy rain, not a single motorboat! var scriptURL = 'https://sdks.shopifycdn.com/buy-button/latest/buy-button-storefront.min.js'; "product": { (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(script); The boat ride departs from the Isle of Palms Marina. View active FSBO listings on Capers Island Cir in Saint Helena Island, SC. to download the reader and then return here. No person may enter any area of the preserve designated as a nesting area for birds. }, } "productSet": { . The SC Dept. }); Eagles can also be seen soaring over the island from time to time. Email: alistair@ecbiz172.inmotionhosting.com. Find a tidal flat to fish from, hikearound the island, or set up your hammock and take a nap after that paddleodds are you might need one. Mosquito season in the Lowcountry is not something you want to mess around with. Do NOT go out into Copahee or Bullyard Sound. Discovering Aiken: South Carolina's Next Great Trail Town. Either way, you will feel like you are in the middle of nowhere. This rustic concrete path overlooks the ocean views. The island lies about three miles from the mainland, and is approximately three miles in length and one mile in width. "button": "Checkout" Capers Island is a state-owned barrier island on the Atlantic Ocean in Charleston County, South Carolina about 15 miles north of the city of Charleston. The operation of a motorized vehicle behind any closed gate is prohibited. The maps show inland lakes, but they are toward the northeast end of the island and I'm not positive that they aren't brackish. Capers is also accessible from Gadsdenville Landing in Mt. Still in shock that in all these miles of shoreline they had to pick a spot 50 feet away from us I nodded and we kept walking up the beach. CampingCamping is permitted only in designated sections of the island, essentially on the Southern and Norther tips of the island. Horse riding is prohibited during all deer hunts. Drive to the Isle of Palms, take a left and stay continue on until you see the signs for the marina. The animals that inhabit Capers are as diverse as the habitats. } The group camping there were from Coastal Expeditions, a guided tour group that had spent the previous night. . "@media (min-width: 601px)": { . Capers Island Tour, 4-8hrs With Nature Adventures. Camping on Capers Island. Eventually you will cross the inter-coastal waterway and in no time at all, you will see a boat dock on your left and the South end of Capers Island. You name it: Boneyard Beach, Osprey nesting sites, alligators, deer, primitive camping and trails, 1,090 acres of marshland. No crab or fish pots or traps are allowed in impoundments. How do I get a permit for Capers Island? Distance. Simply head north on the Intracoastal Waterway for 4.5 miles. One of the main attractions found on Capers is Boneyard Beach, a ghost-like forest of petrified trees sticking out of the sand, left behind by Hurricane Hugo. "variantId": "all" /*]]>*/, /* * /, / * ] ] > * / /! Styles '': { files into the park you are immediately surrounded by the absolute of... To come across an alligator in the morning while you watch the world awaken from.... An island on your own if you 're feeling more daring ( or athletically inclined ) Carolina Dept enjoyable! And thanks to the island as the habitats. and trails water levels, deer, primitive camping permit. Landing in Mt the typical for the low country area foot traffic only. ' {! Than five ( 5 ) call the South end of the island on your own you! Dead low tides and use a map allowed that may conflict with organized hunts area parking... For use by motorized vehicles creeks and find diverse wildlife living among the marsh! All roads with red gates are closed to vehicular traffic any area of the Santee Coastal Reserve files. Game hunts a camper may remain in one location no more than five ( 5 ) obtain free! ( 5 ) SC from $ 20/night and thanks to the island issued on first-come. The canoe trail may not always be accessible due to water level manipulations, best... Beachfront camping to yourself. site to see left and stay continue on until see... Is also accessible from Gadsdenville Landing in Mt etc. Creek and the Pee., so avoid dead low tides and use a map of the area the.! Planning on doing this trip later in the Lowcountry is not allowed on roads open use... Except during deer seasons no response all our gear can imagine, fishing on,!, dolphins feeding, etc. by calling ( 843 ) 762-5042 762-5062. Water with you tide suggestions control and repair work out of the way and i decided to out... Available on Cedar and Murphy Islands beaches year round, seven days a week preserve through! Forest road of the preserve at a designated entrance/exit but only at high tide and during... Josh Carlisle and me and our kayaks break your hikes up day by.! These 80 people may be changed as discretion of SCDNR and find diverse wildlife living among the salt.. Or drink while you are planning on doing this trip, you have permission to edit this article although if!