Capers Island Heritage Preserve — access and camping rules

Capers Island, the barrier island at the north end of the Mount Pleasant boating range, is a SCDNR Heritage Preserve with its own special regulations. SCDNR publishes: overnight camping is by permit only, obtained from the DNR Charleston office, issued first come first served; no more than 40 people may camp per night, divided into no more than 20 groups; "Persons without permits must be off the island by one hour after sunset"; camping on the north end of Capers Island is permitted only from October 16 to March 14; no trash is to be placed in any fire or buried; "No motorized vehicles, nonmotorized vehicles, off road vehicles, or all terrain vehicles are allowed on Capers Island"; no crab or fish pots or traps in impoundments; no fishing from the impoundment tide gate. Access to the island itself is by boat. Verified 2026-09-04.