Audubon Newhall Preserve, Hilton Head Island
A free 50-acre nature preserve off Palmetto Bay Road, with about a mile of quiet trails around a freshwater pond.
- 55 Palmetto Bay Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Hours
DailySunrise to sunset
- Size
- 50 acres
- Trails
- about a mile
- Admission
- free, donations welcome
- Hours
- sunrise to sunset
Audubon Newhall Preserve is a 50-acre patch of native woods and wetland on the south end of the island, at 55 Palmetto Bay Road. Hilton Head Audubon, a volunteer nonprofit, owns and runs it. It is free, open every day from sunrise to sunset, and much quieter than the beaches a few minutes away.
Finding the Entrance
Put the street address, 55 Palmetto Bay Road, into your phone rather than the preserve’s name. Searching by name can route you to a Sea Pines gate, which charges a fee and has no way into the preserve. There is a small free parking lot on site.
The Trails
About a mile of trails: short loops that connect, so you can walk 20 minutes or an hour.
The pond: a freshwater pond in the middle, with an observation deck and benches.
Boardwalk: crosses the wetter ground.
Habitats: pocosin wetland and pine flatwoods, two Lowcountry landscapes that are hard to see anywhere else on the island. It is a good short look at the island’s native forest.
Birding and Guided Walks
More than 140 bird species have been recorded at the preserve. Volunteers lead free guided walks on Tuesday mornings: meet in the parking lot by 8:30 a.m., and no reservation is needed. Bring binoculars, and in summer, bug spray. More island birding spots are on the birds of Hilton Head page.
Preserve Rules
Dogs are welcome on a leash.
No smoking.
Leave the plants: no picking or digging.
More nature on the island
Hilton Head SC parks worth a visit: a pirate-ship playground, Pinckney Island trails and Mitchelville, plus every Town park, address and amenity.
Hilton Head wildlife and nature, answered: dolphins, alligators, birds, Spanish moss, pluff mud and butterflies, and where to see them safely.
Birds of Hilton Head SC: herons, egrets, roseate spoonbills and anhingas, the best places to see them, and the Hilton Head Audubon Society's bird walks.
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge: free, open sunrise to sunset, with 14+ miles of trails, wading birds and no dogs allowed. Directions and tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Audubon Newhall Preserve?
55 Palmetto Bay Road, on the south end of Hilton Head Island. Use the street address in your map app, not the name, or it may send you to a Sea Pines gate.
Is Audubon Newhall Preserve free?
Yes. Entry and parking are free, and donations to Hilton Head Audubon are welcome.
What are the hours?
Sunrise to sunset, every day.
Are dogs allowed at Audubon Newhall Preserve?
Yes, on a leash.
How long are the trails?
About a mile of connected trails, with a pond, an observation deck and a boardwalk.
Are there guided walks?
Yes. Free walks on Tuesday mornings. Meet in the parking lot by 8:30 a.m.; no reservation needed.
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