Audubon-Newhall Preserve

Plant lovers shouldn’t miss the small but very well-maintained 50-acre Audubon-Newhall Preserve (dawn–dusk year-round, free) in the south-central part of Hilton Head Island [1] on Palmetto Bay Road between the Cross Island Parkway and Sea Pines circle.

Almost all plant life, even that in the water, is helpfully marked and identified. But if all you want to do is just enjoy, that’s fine too, because the preserve has two miles of nature trails. Unusually, there’s a well-preserved bog environment (pocosin to the indigenous tribes here).

The Audubon-Newhall Preserve is open to the public, but you can’t camp here, though it sure is inviting. For more information, call the Hilton Head Audubon Society (843/842-9246).