EXPLORING THE TREASURES OF SOUTH CAROLINA’S COAST
Huntington Beach State Park, Atalaya Castle & Brookgreen Gardens
By Jo Clark
If you’re dreaming of a Lowcountry escape filled with beaches that seem to stretch on for days, wildlife encounters, and a blend of art and history, let me introduce you to one of my favorite spots on the South Carolina coast. Huntington Beach State Park, Atalaya Castle, and Brookgreen Gardens sit side-by-side near Murrells Inlet, divided by Highway 17. Together, they offer an unforgettable mix of nature, creativity, and culture.
ON BIG BLEND RADIO: Jo Clark explores the stunning coastal treasures of South Carolina including the natural beauty, wildlife, and historical significance of Huntington Beach State Park, Brookgreen Gardens, and Atalaya Castle. Watch here in the YouTube player or download the episode on Podbean.
Here’s my favorite way to spend a day.
Morning at Huntington Beach State Park
Start your day with a walk across the causeway at Huntington Beach State Park. The salty air smells a bit like pine, and if you look closely, you might spot an alligator lounging on the island. Or you’ll notice a pair of eyes floating barely above the water’s surface—or perhaps you will spy, with your little eye, a great blue heron standing so still it almost disappears among the reeds. Birdwatchers will be in heaven here (over 300 species have been recorded!), but even if you don’t know an anhinga from a seagull, the beauty of the landscape and the birds alone are worth the visit.
This park was once part of the Huntington family estate, and today, it’s one of the best-preserved stretches of beach on the Grand Strand. You won’t find high-rise hotels here—just quiet dunes, palmetto trees, and miles of natural coastline. Whether you’re walking along the jetty, dipping your toes in the Atlantic, or hiking the short trail alongside Sandpiper Pond, it feels like you have escaped into a hidden world tucked between the ocean and a maritime forest.
The Nature Center is worth a stop. They feature hands-on exhibits, live animals, and friendly park rangers who are happy to answer questions, as well as a boardwalk that spans the marsh.
Insider Tip: The ground floor of the Center features a shady overhang with benches and a view of bird feeders that provide a buffet for smaller songbirds.
A Step Back in Time at Atalaya Castle
Tucked inside the park, behind a tall brick wall, is an unexpected sight: a Moorish-style castle called Atalaya, Spanish for watchtower. It was the oceanfront winter home of Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington—but it’s not your average beach house.
Built during the 1930s depression, Archer designed the home. He was a philanthropist, scholar, and apparently a would-be architect. Atalaya holds unusual details, like a 40-foot water tower in the center courtyard and Spanish-inspired ironwork on every window (designed and created by Anna). The home features 30 rooms laid out in a square floor plan. It gets chilly in the off-season, so each room has a fireplace. Remarkable for its time, the kitchen also had a walk-in refrigerator. It is easy to imagine hearing echoes of Anna and Archer talking within the walls.
Anna, a celebrated sculptor, had a large, light-filled indoor studio and an outdoor work area at Atalaya. A remarkable woman, Anna sculpted into her 90s. She kept live animals—like horses and bears—on the property as models for her work. Walking the quiet, palm-lined paths and peeking into her studio windows, it’s easy to imagine her at work, clay under her fingernails, the sea breeze coming through the arches.
Atalaya is open daily, and it’s a must-see when you visit the park. For just a few dollars more, you can take a self-guided tour—or catch the fall Atalaya Festival, when the courtyard and house come alive with handcrafted items, stunning art pieces, and live music.
The Beauty of Brookgreen Gardens
Once you’ve had your fill of sea air and castle vibes, head across Highway 17 to Brookgreen Gardens. It’s just a couple of minutes away, but it feels like you have entered another world.
Brookgreen was founded by the Huntingtons in 1932 on the grounds of four former rice plantations. They intended to have a space where Anna could display her large statuary. Today, it’s a National Historic Landmark—and home to one of the most incredible sculpture collections in the country.
Anna Hyatt, the daughter of an artist and a professor of paleontology and zoology, studied with Henry Hudson Kitson in Boston, who dismissed her after she identified anatomical deficiencies in his equine work. Kitson is best known in the United States for his “Minute Man” sculpture, found on Lexington Green in Lexington, Massachusetts. In 1915, she created the Joan of Arc monument, the first by a woman to be erected in New York City, as well as the city’s first monument dedicated to a historical woman.
Insider Tip: Your Brookgreen ticket is valid for seven consecutive days. So, if you visit early in your stay, you can return and explore at your own pace.
The Gardens
Imagine centuries-old live oaks draped in Spanish moss, tranquil fountains, and more than 2,000 sculptures by 430 artists, most in a classical or figurative style. Anna’s work is complemented by pieces she and Archer collected, and today, Brookgreen continues to purchase impressive works that are nestled among the garden plants, which change with the seasons.
But Brookgreen is more than a botanical garden. It’s also a museum featuring indoor galleries, a zoo filled with native species and heritage livestock, a walk-through aviary, and an in-depth look into Lowcountry history. The Lowcountry Trail takes you past remnants of rice fields, complete with interpretive signs and steel silhouettes representing enslaved people who once lived and worked on the land. It’s powerful and beautifully presented.
Insider Tip: Time your visit for early morning when you can accompany the workers as they feed the animals.
Brookgreen Gardens is consistently ranked among the Top 10 US Gardens by notable publications such as TripAdvisor, USA Today, and Coastal Living Magazine. In fact, Wayne Craven, author of the book Sculpture in America, describes Brookgreen as “unequaled in its size, focus on figurative works, visibility of the sculpture to the visitor, and integration within a garden setting.”
Insider Tip: I highly recommend you take the Creek Excursion—a guided boat ride through the old rice canals where you might spot alligators, turtles, and osprey while you learn some amazing history.
A Perfect Itinerary
Here’s how I like to experience all three spots in a day:
– Morning: Start with sunrise at the beach, then stroll the causeway and check out the Nature Center. Explore Atalaya Castle before the midday sun heats things up.
– Lunch: Brookgreen offers several on-site cafés, including the Courtyard Café and the Old Kitchen, both of which are excellent options for a casual bite in a scenic setting. The Harvest Restaurant is ideal for a relaxing, leisurely lunch. My favorite thing on the menu? The She Crab Soup, of course!
– Afternoon: Wander the sculpture garden, take the boat tour, and don’t skip the Lowcountry Trail. If you’re still going strong, pop into the gift shop or check out any special exhibits.
– Evening: Back to the park for sunset on the jetty. Bring a blanket and some snacks and let the waves wrap up your day.
Know Before You Go
– Fees: Admission to Huntington Beach is approximately $8 per adult (slightly less for children and seniors). Atalaya Castle is an additional $2. But a State Park pass will get everyone in your vehicle into every state park in South Carolina and additional buildings (like Atalaya). It can save you a lot if you visit often, and there is a senior discount card available.
– Brookgreen Gardens tickets are approximately $20 for adults and are valid for the entire week.
– Hours: The park opens early (6 a.m.) and stays open until 10 p.m. in summer. Brookgreen typically opens at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m.
– Accessibility: Both sites have accessible trails and buildings, though the castle has a few uneven surfaces.
– Pets: Dogs are welcome on leashes at the park but not inside Atalaya or Brookgreen.
Final Thoughts
This corner of South Carolina is a rare kind of place—where art, nature, and history don’t just coexist; they elevate each other. Whether you’re into sculpture or sea turtles, haunted ruins, or quiet beaches, there’s something here that’ll capture your imagination.
I keep coming back to Huntington Beach, Atalaya, and Brookgreen because they offer more than just breathtaking scenery. They tell a story—of a visionary couple, of a complex region, and of a landscape that still feels wild and alive.
Bring your walking shoes. Bring your curiosity. And if you’re anything like me, bring your camera—you’re going to want to remember this trip.
Jo Clark is a travel writer and photographer based on South Carolina’s Grand Strand. She has a thirst for knowledge, history, great food, and wine! She does her very best to live up to her podcast title and Instagram handle, “Jo Goes Everywhere!” Follow her there and on her Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/HaveGlassWillTravel/. She is the editor of http://www.RecipesTravelCulture.com
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