Gator Gander at Crystal Lake: Land Preservation Nature Program

An hour walk that focuses on the life of the American Alligator.

Crystal Lake Park, 124 Lady's Island Drive, Beaufort

Crystal Lake Park

Location: 124 Lady's Island Drive, Beaufort, SC

Open Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Activities: Wildlife Viewing, Fishing, Hiking

Amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Pier, Boardwalk, Primitive Trail, Pollinator Garden

Trail: 0.5 mile loop trail (half boardwalk/half earthen) around the lake

Restrictions: Pets on leash, Bicycles are NOT permitted on trail, Water activities are not permitted

Events/Business Use: Contact the County Land Preservation Department for more information (https://www.beaufortcountysc.gov/land-preservation/about.html)

Crystal Lake Park is 25-acres of forested upland and wetland habitat, salt marsh and a man-made pond. The pond has a population of redfish and mullet that become trapped during extreme high tides. Fishing in the pond is restricted to catch-and-release only due to the potential for unacceptably high cancer and non-cancer health risks. The full fish tissue analysis report is available upon request. Water activities such as paddleboards, kayaks, canoes and swimming is NOT allowed.

The office building houses the Beaufort County Land Preservation Department and Beaufort Soil and Water Conservation District staff Although the building is not open to the public, the District staff are available Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 2:00pm. Public restrooms are available on the exterior the of the office building.

The 1/2 mile loop nature trail around the pond features mostly a 6-8 foot wide raised boardwalk and a portion of a 6 foot wide natural unpaved earthen trail.

Accessibility Highlights:

Accessible parking
Accessible route to office building
Accessible restrooms
Accessible picnic tables (2)
Accessible fishing pier and boardwalk
Visit Access Now for more information at: (https://mapaccessnow.com/details/6ec87c30-d7d6-11ee-920d-79f449ae3b48/local/?lng=%lngCode%)
Contact the Land Preservation Department for reservation of an all-terrain wheelchair (https://www.beaufortcountysc.gov/land-preservation/policies-and-rentals.html)