1 of 1

The Sea Pines Forest Preserve

Take a hike with your pup through the dog-friendly Sea Pines Forest Preserve in The Sea Pines Resort community on Hilton Head Island, SC. You and Fido can walk the trails and see a 4,000-year-old Indian Shell Ring, a rice field, wildflowers in abundance, a vanishing swamp and gorgeous lakefront views. Just keep your dog on a leash at all times in the preserve, and make sure to clean up after him. There is a small fee per vehicle to enter the resort. Visit Website

Or call (843) 842-1979 for more information.

Reviews

BringFido Guest Rating
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

The Sea Pines Forest Preserve has received a rating of 3.0 out of 5 bones by 7 canine critics on BringFido and 4.0 out of 5 by 35 guests on TripAdvisor.


Visitors generally found The Sea Pines Forest Preserve to be a well-maintained and beautiful nature trail, although some felt the $6-$9 entrance fee was too high. They enjoyed the various trail options, scenery, and dog-friendly environment, but some noted issues with finding the entrance and encountered rude staff.

AI-generated from the text of reviews

  • Marlene
    Apr 9, 2023
    Great trail to put paw to dirt

    Lots of trail options. Beautifully maintained property. Harbor town had shops restaurants and outside eating opportunities!! A+

  • Jillian
    Apr 13, 2022
    The dogs loved it.

    Leisurely stroll at 5 months pregnant this was perfect to get some activity. We have two beagles and they loved it. Watch out for the gators. 4/5 bones because it was $9 to get in.

  • Debra
    Apr 5, 2022
    Might have been awesome - we will never know

    just a heads up - if you have kayaks on your vehicle they will not let you in. we were looking forward to it. maybe another time when we don’t have the “yaks”.

  • Katherine
    Sep 18, 2020
    Must buy day pass to Sea Pines I resort

    GPS won’t tell you, but you have to pay $9 to get into the Sea Pines resort. The walk itself is very nice and flat walking. Lots of fresh water, but couldn’t let my girl swim due to gators.

    If you want to get your $9 worth before you leave the resort area, drive on into harbor town where there are some shops and restaurants. We’d already eaten, but spotted dogs at the ones with outdoor seating and people walking dogs.

  • Don
    Feb 3, 2020
    Extensive beautiful trails

    This preserve is part of Sea Pines Resorts, which is actually a combination of a private residential area, a vacation rental area, and a resort emphasizing golf courses. Actually, a very interesting history to this, going back to the 50s.

    So yes, as other reviewers have noted, you have to pay to get into the area, a $6 day use fee. And once you get in, it can be a little tricky to find the preserve without a map. Especially the better entrance which is a hardly marked side road right off the Preparatory School on Lawton. (There is a better marked entrance on Greenwood.)

    However, the preserve itself is beautiful. The main road itself is a fine walking trail, running from the Lawton canal east past Lake Joe, Lake Thomas, and Lake Mary. Or you can park on Fish Island, between Lake Joe and Lake Thomas and hike the less traveled trails south of Lake Joe, including the 4,000 year old remains of the Shell Ring. Or head north from Fish Island to the network of trails around the Old Lawton Rice field, with its depressing history.

    All the trails are totally dog friendly, with plenty to sniff -- our dogs love it every time. But use leashes, there are alligators in the water, and coyotes in some areas of the preserve.

    Birds and bird songs everywhere. Really, a spectacular place.

  • Ann
    More than a year ago
    Not worth $6

    Sorry, but not terribly impressive, ( esp. with a $6 entry). Better off going to Burke's beach nearby...and put coins in a meter to park....you will enjoy thar so much more.

  • Kelli
    More than a year ago
    Rude

    I was really confused on how to get to the place because of my GPS, but then I got there and found out the pass is cash only at the gate. As I was trying to get out to fund an ATM, I went straight and to the right like the lady said and ended up getting yelled at by an old guy. When I got out of there I didn't go back. Why would I want to pay money to go somewhere where the people are so rude?

Post a Review

Traveler Photos

We haven‘t received any photos of The Sea Pines Forest Preserve yet.

Want to feature your creature? Upload a photo of your pet at The Sea Pines Forest Preserve! You can also share by using the hashtag #bringfido on FacebookTwitter or Instagram.

Add a Photo

Area Info

The Sea Pines Forest Preserve