Audubon Newhall Preserve

Audubon Newhall Preserve is one of Hilton Head Island's best kept outdoor secrets — a 10-acre native woodland nature preserve managed by the Hilton Head Island Audubon Society specifically to protect and showcase coastal South Carolina bird habitat. For families who want to experience the island's natural character rather than its resort infrastructure, this free preserve delivers an authentic encounter with the native landscape.

The preserve's labeled native plants turn a simple walk into an educational experience. Kids who typically resist 'looking at plants' become more engaged when the plants have signs explaining their ecological role and connections to the birds and insects that depend on them. The labeling system is genuinely thoughtful — not just species names but functional descriptions of why each plant matters.

Birding here is exceptional for the preserve's modest size. The Audubon management specifically maintains the habitat for avian diversity, and the results show. Painted buntings (among the most colorful birds in North America), various wood warblers, woodpeckers, and shorebirds all use the preserve at different seasons.

Kids who've never tried bird identification often get an immediate positive experience here because sightings are frequent and often dramatic.

The preserve is free and open daily 7AM-7PM. No restroom facilities are on-site, so plan accordingly. Natural surface trails mean all-terrain strollers are possible but regular strollers may encounter difficulty in some sections. Bug spray is non-negotiable in HHI summer months.