From the marina you can reach Caper's Island in approximately 2 hours paddling at a moderate pace. } Copyright 2023 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. "margin-left": "-20px" None of the powerboats would dare go past the inlet because of the surf and sandbars, however a kayak can "turn the corner" and paddle through a very calm surf-free tidal zone and be totally alone just 300 yards further away! In addition to camping available for deer hunters, the designated camping areas are available during the period of March 1 until October 31 and during open periods between November 1 and February 28 of the next year. (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(script); It is separated from the mainland by salt marshes and the Intracoastal Waterway. Discovering Aiken: South Carolina's Next Great Trail Town. Overnight Camping on Capers Island is by permit only. }, The scenery and wildlife were the typical for the low country area. We're talking campsites with surreal ocean views, interrupted only by petrified trees, and the shade of centuries-old live oak canopies. files. Live like a Charleston local whenever, wherever, Outdoor destinations + local stories & exclusive outdoor events. Consult tide tables and have navigational charts before making this trip, because it is very easy to run aground. "contents": { No bicycle may be operated in any manner or place that will damage or degrade any feature or habitat. [CDATA[*/ Overnight visitors to the Webb Center are not restricted in hours of access. }); Horse riding is allowed on roads open to motorized vehicle traffic except during deer seasons. Gas lanterns and gas grills only may be used by campers. Primitive camping only is allowed. These 80 people may be divided into no more than 20 different groups. Dirleton House and grounds are open to the public from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The group camping there were from Coastal Expeditions, a guided tour group that had spent the previous night. 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. Public visitation is by permit only. -79.697. Horseback riding allowed on roads open to motorized vehicles and no horseback riding during any open hunting season. As the sunset most of the boaters went away, except for the guys that were spending the night 50 feet away from us. Alligators, snakes, white-tailed deer, raccoons, and a plethora of bird species make the island a popular destination for nature lovers. Camping is only permitted on the island's north and south ends. Once you're backfrom the island, head straight to Poe's on Sullivan's Island. Fishermen lined the beach along the inlet and we discovered the truth in what the Coastal Expeditions guide had told us. Boneyard beach is a great walk to do at sunrise. If you're unsure of paddling out to the island, make arrangements to borrow a jon boat, or contact Barrier Island Eco Tours. Horse may be ridden on any road that is not posted as closed to horse riding. In one scenario, you're misusing a public park, disregarding it's restrictions on public use. Horseback riding and all terrain vehicles are prohibited. At one point we were going to attempt a short-cut between Marys Island and Dewees Island to get into Capers Inlet but my kayak started bottoming out in the mud and I hastily changed course back toward the deeper water of the main ICW channel. } 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. "buttonDestination": "modal", } Wilderness Systems Cape Horn, 2 man tent, light bag and mat, etc. The following roads are open year round: Murray Road, Pine Log Landing Road, Mouth of Catfish Creek Road. Bring tons of water if you go. 2023 RootsRated, Inc. All rights reserved. Permits may be acquired on The Foothills Trail passes through portions of the Jocassee Gorges. Email: alistair@ecbiz172.inmotionhosting.com. "margin-left": "20px", Camping is restricted to primitive camping in designated areas only. As you paddle through the maze of grassy trails, you will see power lines in the distance that go from Dewees Island to Capers Island. Department maintenance facilities on the island are not open to the public. Limited primitive campsites are available with proper permits issued by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Camping on the island requires a permission from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, which only issues 80 per night. Explore the water, trails, and beaches of this beautiful coastal island minutes from Charleston, South Carolina. Capers Island is an undeveloped barrier island accessible only by private boat or a chartered ferry. You'll also need the basics while you're on the island: food, water, camp stove, sleep system etc. If you're up for an adventure, load up your kayak and head out to this island for an overnight or multi-night stay on one of the most beautiful reserves in the area. Horseback riding is allowed by permit only on designated roads. "toggle": {} Horse riders must wear international orange clothing during open hunting seasons. Primitive camping only is allowed. (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(script); var scriptURL = 'https://sdks.shopifycdn.com/buy-button/latest/buy-button-storefront.min.js'; Camping is allowed by permit only. } You will need it about 8 months out of the year. guest-paddler. Find unique places to stay with local hosts in 191 countries. "button": false, }); . The distance to paddle was only about 5 miles so we expected a fairly quick trip out to the island. And by the way, the Wi-Fi on Capers Island is most likely broken, so leave your phones at home and just enjoy the scenery and the magic of this barrier islands remote and mystical landscape. Late fall or winter and/or mid-week would probably be a much more crowd free trip. Sign up for updates on new adventures, videos from The Adventure Collective and special offers on merchandise. } else { "option": {}, I don't think there is any filterable fresh water on the island. Be on the lookout for poison ivy and poison oak, as they do inhabit this island. I'd love to do it again, but only at high tide and only through Toomer's Creek. Someone (me!) storefrontAccessToken: '0ad2d566f5e3f69231cb82738a6dc465', Be sure not to block the launching area when parking. Capers is a large island, so break your hikes up day by day. var client = ShopifyBuy.buildClient({ With a liberal coat of deet and a smoky campfire I was able to ward off all but the most persistent mosquitoes. Although Capers borders the Cape Romain Refuge, it is maintained by DNR and primitive camping is permitted, with a free permit. A large 16 foot gator has been seen several times in this section. Contrary to what we had been advised to expect, we suffered almost no bug-bites during our entire weekend on Capers. The operation of a motorized vehicle behind any closed gate is prohibited. Make sure you bring mosquito repellent with you, however. This is Aalto. No camping without a permit except for deer, turkey, and hog hunters on nights before a designated hunt. No horse riding during hunting seasons. With so many people living so close to such a jewel it is really inundated on the weekends. You definitely don't want to attempt walking in the interior barefoot, you wouldn't make it 10 steps before impaling yourself on either cactii or sand-spurs. Visitation is by pre scheduled field trip only. Camping is only allowed on the North and South ends of the island. Notice of the hunts will be issued annually. Camping is allowed only during Department designated archery hunts. Cross Copahee Sound to the Intracoastal and head north along Dewees Island to Capers Inlet. The property is closed to all public access from November 1 to January 21, except for scheduled waterfowl hunts. After getting camp organized we took off northeast along the beach and saw 6 or 7 kayaks pulled up on the sand just around the corner from where we made camp. "button": false, You name it: Boneyard Beach, Osprey nesting sites, alligators, deer, primitive camping and trails, 1,090 acres of marshland. No camping will be allowed that may conflict with organized hunts. The boat ride departs from the Isle of Palms Marina. Camping is allowed in designated campsites during designated hunts only. Hikers will love it for its flat and easy trails and excellent sightseeing and wildlife viewing. "margin-left": "-20px" In the last week of July my girlfriend and I decided to try out an overnight paddle to Capers Island, SC. During scheduled big game hunts, bicycles and all terrain vehicles are prohibited except as used by legal hunters and anglers. PO Box 2063 Mount Pleasant, SC 29465. "options": false } guest-paddler, A self-supported trip created by Details. . }, <br> <br>Motorized and non motorized vehicle access to the Jocassee Gorges is limited. domain: 'mountainstoseasports.myshopify.com', Riders may ride in groups no larger than five (5). The public is advised that scheduling of field trips is entirely at the discretion of the manager in order to accommodate the basic responsibilities of the sanctuary. Caper's Island in South Carolina; Caper's Island in South Carolina. It was hilarious in a sick kind of way. I chose to follow the Intracoastal Waterway since this was my first trip to Caper's and I didn't have much daylight to spend navigating the wetland creeks. The easiest kayak route to the island is from the Isle of Palms Marina. Camping Area in Congaree, Piedmont, SC. Horse riding is allowed only on designated trails. If you'd prefer not to douse your skin in bug spray, Thermacell lanterns are a great way to create a mosquito no-fly-zone in your campsite. The department may promulgate regulations for the protection, preservation, operation, maintenance, and use of wildlife management areas and Heritage Trust areas and those other lands owned by . If you don't have your own kayak, you can rent one from Nature Adventures Outfitters. simply The marina is 200 yards on your right. The gravel paths throughout the park allow runners and cyclists to navigate through the park without any issue. Bring everything you'd want for a normal backpacking trip, just remember you will be paddling instead of hiking. "contents": { }, }, Bicycles may be ridden on any road or area that is not posted as closed to bicycles. Pleasant and follow Highway 17N until you come to the Isle of Palms Connector. script.onload = ShopifyBuyInit; I saw several egrets, herons, various shore birds, dolphins feeding, etc. The hiking/biking trail will also be available during open periods, however, it will be closed between the dates of November 1 through January 31. Photo submitted by John Martin. "button": "Add to cart" var scriptURL = 'https://sdks.shopifycdn.com/buy-button/latest/buy-button-storefront.min.js'; These permits are completely free; just make sure you obtain them through the proper procedures. Roads open to year round public access include a section of Horsepasture to Laurel Fork Gap (from Highway 178 only). "toggle": {} Web: ecbiz172.inmotionhosting.com. How do I get a permit for Capers Island? var script = document.createElement('script'); Call 843-568-3222 for inquiries and reservations. "button": "Add to cart" } If staying overnight, don't leave any valuables in your car, as there has been occasions of cars being broken into. Half Moon Outfitters hasthe boats you'll need to get to the island. No motorized vehicles, nonmotorized vehicles, off road vehicles, or all terrain vehicles are allowed on Capers Island. Capers Island is a state-owned barrier island in Charleston County, South Carolina, about 15 miles north of the city of Charleston, located on the Atlantic Ocean. 850 acres of coastal upland forest, 214 acres of shoreline, 1,090 acres of salt marsh, and over 100 acres of brackish ponds make up the island's diverse ecosystems. Managed wetlands will be open for wildlife observation, bird watching, photography or nature study without day or time restriction from February 1 through October 31 each year. They have access to a ferry, but only for parties of seven or more. "productSet": { Although, if you want to camp overnight you must obtain a free DNR permit. Save Review Directions Add Photo. DNR Managed Lands Regulations. Free, primitive camping is permitted on the island with a permit from the Department of Natural Resources. Jail: Up to 30 days. Copahee Sound is extremely shallow, so avoid dead low tides and use a map. "button": "View product" Bulls Island is located just 20 miles away from America's #1 small city - Charleston, South Carolina. Fishing is permitted . There is limited parking at the boat landing. After a nice walk we headed back to camp and as the sun started to poke through the clouds the power boaters descended on Capers as though it WAS D-Day. Theres the beach, of course, the salt marsh, the forest, and brackish ponds, but what Capers is most known for are its infamous dead trees that have wash ashore. Tour can include hiking on the beach or the island's interior, depending on trip length. The paddle is relatively easy, but there can be adverse currents, winds, and boat traffic on the ICW. Capers Island is an undeveloped barrier island and one of the few islands you can camp on in Charleston. Webb WMA is closed to the general public from one hour after official sunset to one hour before official sunrise. Luckily, campfires are allowed on the island, so enjoy your night of crashing waves and unpolluted stars next to a warm, cozy fire. "text": { I would recommend planning this trip later in the fall to avoid the heat, humidity, and mosquitoes. You can get an excellent map for approximately $10 from Coastal Expeditions in Mt. The following roads are open year round: Brittons Neck Road/Woodbury Road, Pet Lawrimore Road, Sampson Landing Road, Sanders Landing Road, Parker Landing Road. 17. Between November 1 through January 31 these activities will be restricted to designated areas on Butler Creek and the Big Pee Dee River. SC, Once on the island, adventure seekers are free to peruse the island, bring a picnic and just get away for a while. The bugs were really bad, so take lots of bug spray. "button": "Checkout" } They shipped out later in the day and the guide suggested to me that we occupy the site they had abandoned since "almost nobody turns the corner and heads up that way". This was Rob, Andy, Jay, Scooter, Scooter's nephew, and 11 kids on an overnight camping trip to Capers Island, SC. Awendaw, South Carolina. "product": { With so many people living so close to such a jewel it is really inundated on the weekends. "margin-bottom": "0px" Camping is restricted to primitive camping in designated areas only. Bicyclists may ride in groups no larger than five (5). } Take a Stroll Down the Charleston Battery. } Capers Island is an undeveloped barrier island and one of the few islands you can camp on in Charleston. Camping is allowed by permit only. Join the Barrier Island Eco Tours for an excursion to the island starting at 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. almost any day of the week. Mosquito season in the Lowcountry is not something you want to mess around with. These 80 people may be divided into no more than 20 different groups. "@media (min-width: 601px)": { Capers Island is only accessible by boat, however charters are available from Sullivan's Island. Due to water level manipulations, the canoe trail may not always be accessible due to low water levels. }, Cross Copahee Sound to the Intracoastal and head north along Dewees Island to Capers Inlet. 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