National historical park
Fort Moultrie
Successive fortifications interpret 171 years of American seacoast defense at Charleston Harbor. Check current NPS hours, parking, fees, exhibits, and alerts before crossing the grounds.
Things to do
Fort walls, a two-mile nature trail, and Atlantic beach
Sullivan's Island rewards walking: through Fort Moultrie's layered defenses, beneath maritime trees, across marked beach paths, and along open sand with Charleston Light above the dunes.
Island essentials
Four places reveal the island from harbor to ocean
Town nature trail
Station 16 to Fort Moultrie and Charleston Light
The Town describes a two-mile trail linking Station 16 beach, Fort Moultrie, and Charleston Light. Heat, standing water, vegetation, and maintenance can affect the route; carry water and stay on public paths.
Atlantic shoreline
3.5 miles of public beach
Choose a station by walking distance and street conditions, then keep every tire off the pavement and every beach path clear. Dunes and turtle-nesting areas are not shortcuts or play spaces.
Modern landmark
Charleston Light
The triangular black-and-white tower is best viewed from the public beach and nearby trail. The lighthouse compound is not a general walk-in attraction, so keep the visit to signed public access.
Things To Do
Light to Light Tour: Morris and Sullivan's Lighthouses, Citadel and Fort Moultrie
A Charleston-area tour featuring two lighthouses, the Citadel and Fort Moultrie.
A quieter historical stop
Battery Gadsden holds the Edgar Allan Poe Library
Poe served on Sullivan's Island in 1827–28 and later drew on the island for The Gold-Bug. The Town's library occupies part of Battery Gadsden. Use the current Charleston County Public Library branch page for opening hours rather than relying on an old schedule.