Built in 1881 on Parris Island, South Carolina, this historic rear range light once guided vessels through the tricky coastal waters near Port Royal Sound. Paired with a front range light, the two beacons worked in alignment to help mariners navigate the channel safely. The lighthouse was deactivated and is no longer an active aid to navigation.

The light is not open to the public, as it sits within the grounds of the famous Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. Visitors cannot climb the tower. For photography, early morning light offers the best conditions, especially during fall and winter months. Nearby attractions include the Parris Island Museum, Beaufort’s charming historic district, and Hunting Island State Park with its own climbable lighthouse.

Explore Nearby

• James Edwin McTeer Bridge & the Causeways scenic byway — Scenic Byway
• Hunting Island State Park — State Park in South Carolina
• South Carolina Highway 170 — Scenic Byway in South Carolina
• Edisto Beach State Park — State Park in South Carolina
• Sumter National Forest — National Forest in South Carolina