Built in 1871 on Morris Island, South Carolina, this historic rear range light guided vessels through Charleston Harbor’s treacherous channels. The tower served as part of a range light system, working in tandem with a front light to help mariners navigate safe passage. Still an active aid to navigation, the lighthouse stands as one of the few surviving range lights on the Atlantic coast.

The lighthouse is not open to the public, so visitors cannot climb the tower. However, it can be viewed and photographed from nearby Folly Beach, with golden hour at sunset offering the most dramatic shots across the water. Nearby attractions include Fort Sumter, the Morris Island Lighthouse ruins, and Folly Beach’s vibrant shoreline.

Explore Nearby

• Fort Johnson Road — Scenic Byway in South Carolina
• May Forest State Park — State Park in South Carolina
• Mathis Ferry Road — Scenic Byway in South Carolina
• Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site — State Park in South Carolina
• Sumter National Forest — National Forest in South Carolina