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Fall brings a fresh reason to explore Huntington Beach State Park. Enjoy a leisurely beach walk, bring binoculars for birdwatching, or spend time discovering historic Atalaya. With three miles of shoreline and more than 300 bird species recorded in the park, there’s plenty to appreciate along this stretch of the South Carolina coast. Explore the park. This fall’s calendar offers something special: Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival | September 25–27, 2026: Celebrate creativity in

🐢 Our morning patrol team had an exciting find on the beach this morning. Thanks to the keen eyes of our volunteers, Nest #22 has been safely recorded. This is our third Green Sea Turtle nest of the season, which is an exciting addition to our data. 💚 We wonder if this resilient mama might be the same turtle that made a false crawl at Myrtle Beach State Park a few nights ago. It’s wonderful to see that she found a good spot to lay her eggs and we are glad that she chose HB

The first time many visitors see Atalaya, they stop in their tracks. A Moorish-style castle rising from the maritime forest just steps from the Atlantic Ocean isn’t what most people expect to find at Huntington Beach State Park. That’s exactly what makes Atalaya so special. Built between 1931 and 1933 as the winter home of internationally renowned sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington and her husband, philanthropist and scholar Archer Milton Huntington, Atalaya was inspired by the M

Nest #20 was found today by the dedicated team of volunteers. It appears to be a green sea turtle nest. The second one this year. It’s located near the jetty on north beach. I wonder how many nests we will get this year. 😀🐢🐢🐢 Permit No. MTP511

Specially designed nest protector Every summer, the beaches at Huntington Beach State Park become the birthplace of a new generation of sea turtles. But before those tiny hatchlings ever make their journey to the ocean, they face a serious threat—predators that dig up nests in search of eggs. That’s where the dedicated volunteers of the Friends of Huntington Beach State Park make a remarkable difference. Working alongside park staff and following established conservation prot

Three false crawls & Nest #19 found on North Beach this morning. Perhaps she was shopping around for the very best home for her hatchlings.

What a beautiful, hot, and steamy morning on Center Beach! While most of us were still sipping our firstcup of coffee, our incredibly dedicated early morning volunteers were already on Turtle Patrol. We are thrilled to announce that Sea Turtle Nest #16 has been found on Center Beach! Tracked by her beautiful crawl marks, Mama Turtle left us the ultimate gift early this morning—safely burying her precious eggs right up close to the sand dunes for protection. Now, the countdow

Nest #18 was discovered early this morning on Center Beach. To make sure the precious hatchlings have the best chance of survival, our amazing Friends of Huntington Beach State Park Volunteers sprang into action and carefully relocated all 77 eggs, tucked safely into the warm dunes

This morning, HUNTINGTON BEACH STATE PARK discovered an intriguing nest #15, which appears to be from a rare green turtle. The green turtle's crawl is distinctive, its chamber is much deeper, and its eggs are considerably larger compared to a loggerhead's. The HBSP team will confirm this at the time of inventory and/or when the DNA results are received, but the signs are promising!

Even during this intense summer heat, protecting the next generation of sea turtles remains the top priority of Friends of Huntington Beach State Park volunteers. This morning, another nesting Mama made her way up South Beach to deposit Sea Turtle Nest #13! To ensure its safety, dedicated volunteers relocated the nest closer to the dunes, as it was laid close to the waterline. Did you know that sand temperature determines whether sea turtles are born male or female? Sea t

Another Win for Conservation

If you enjoyed a morning coffee, bit into a crisp apple, or caught the scent of blooming flowers today, you have a pollinator to thank. This week (June 22–28, 2026) marks the annual celebration of National Pollinator Week. What started as a unanimous U.S. Senate resolution back in 2008 has grown into a massive international movement. Managed by the Pollinator Partnership, this week is all about throwing the spotlight on the essential creatures that keep our world blooming, ou

Today marks the longest day of the year and the official first day of summer. We hope you are celebrating every extra minute of daylight by soaking in the perfect blend of: 🏖️ Coastal relaxation on our shores 🧺 Gathering with friends and family 💙 Celebrating fatherhood and the dads in our lives 🥾 Outdoor adventures along the coast How are you spending the longest day of the year? Catching a beautiful coastal sunset or spotting wildlife? WELCOME SUMMER to HBSP!

June 15th is recognized every year as Nature Photography Day. So many photographers enjoy spending time in Huntington Beach State Park and were fortunate that they share their work so everyone can revel in the beauty of nature. Feel free to share your photos from our park and see those that have been shared at https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1DkgAZwYmK/?mibextid=wwXIfr Tell us about your nature photos and please share some in the comments.

Early this morning, dedicated volunteers were out on the sands of Huntington Beach State Park, marking and securing the 6th sea turtle nest of the season. While a walk on the beach at sunrise sounds peaceful, these volunteers are doing critical, high-stakes conservation work. Without their efforts, the survival of these ancient marine creatures would be under serious threat. Why Volunteer Work is Critical for Nest Survival Sea turtle eggs face a gauntlet of dangers from the m

Happy National Garden Week! This annual celebration is all about uniting communities around green spaces and horticultural knowledge. To celebrate, we are thrilled to spotlight a remarkable, eco-friendly collaboration right here at home: the CCU Nature Center Garden Project in Huntington Beach State Park. Coastal Carolina University’s Sustainability and Community Resilience class researched and created a Team Community Project Plan to build water-compatible structures to disp

Happy National Trails Day! Established by the American Hiking Society, the first Saturday in June is our collective reminder to advocate for, give back to, and explore the incredible networks of trails that connect us to nature. While South Carolina's Upstate gets a lot of love for its rugged mountain climbs, you don't have to head to the Blue Ridge to find a world-class hiking experience. Right here on the coast, Huntington Beach State Park offers 2,500 acres of absolute Low

The Real Benefits of Membership: Why Joining Our Community Matters When you become a member of the Friends of Huntington Beach State Park (FoHBSP), you aren't just signing up for a park decal—you are stepping into a vibrant, passionate community. Whether you want to roll up your sleeves as a volunteer or support our mission from afar, becoming a member enriches your life just as much as it preserves our beautiful coastal sanctuary. Our Park is unique in that we have activitie

Park staff and volunteers install the newly made gate at Atalaya The coastal environment at Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, faces constant challenges from changing tides, storms, and human activity. While visitors enjoy the park’s natural beauty, many of the efforts to protect and improve this habitat remain unseen. These invisible projects play a crucial role in supporting wildlife and preserving the park’s delicate ecosystems. Staff and volunt

Huntington Beach State Park is one of South Carolina’s most important coastal habitats—where dunes, maritime forest, salt marsh, and tidal creeks meet the Atlantic. These connected ecosystems protect the shoreline, filter water, and provide food and shelter for wildlife ranging from shorebirds to loggerhead sea turtles. Protecting them takes all of us—visitors, volunteers, and the broader community. Why coastal ecosystems matter Coastal habitats do more than look beautiful. D