HomeSouth CarolinaHilton Head Island › Audubon Newhall Preserve

Audubon Newhall Preserve

4.6 ★★★★★ 398 Google reviews · Running trail in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina · Dawn to dusk

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Dawn to dusk

Confirmed from Audubon Newhall Preserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

MixedScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADAFlat & fastRestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

Casual, tranquil preserve with trails, a pond and labeled native plant life.

What runners say about Audubon Newhall Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (398 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 8 mentions

“An abundance of interpretive signage along some very easy to walk and well maintained paths.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“Beautiful and peaceful place in the heart of a busy island.”

🪧 well-marked 2 mentions

“The trail is completely flat, super easy to navigate, and has helpful little informational signs along the path that teach you all about the local ecosystem and trees.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 10 mentions

“Informative, peaceful, walking trails are short, flat, and interconnected so even if you make a wrong turn somewhere you won't be too far from where you started.”

Pleasant place to walk around and learn about the local plant life. During the summer season they have walking tours on some days and if you are solo you can read the signage around the trails. There were a few other couples or families around, but it was quiet enough that I could use a bird app to id birds by sound.

★★★★★ — Jenn , Mar 2023

This was a great place to cool it down and just take a little walk to get away from the bustle of vacation. Kids loved watching the turtles in the pond and we're desperate to see an alligator which we never did.

★★★★☆ — Scott , Apr 2021

Beautiful little park, kind of hidden off the main road. It would be difficult to find if you did not see it on the map first. Parking may be limited during busy times because there are just a few parking spaces in the small lot, but we were the only ones there, so this was not a problem for us.

★★★★★ — Barbara , Feb 2024

Beautiful and peaceful place in the heart of a busy island. Great place to get away from it all. Nature viewed at its finest. An abundance of interpretive signage along some very easy to walk and well maintained paths.

★★★★★ — Ron , Feb 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 398 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 10 mentions

“Informative, peaceful, walking trails are short, flat, and interconnected so even if you make a wrong turn somewhere you won't be too far from where you started.”

More trails like this →

🏞️ Scenic views 8 mentions

“The pond was super nice to view but we did not see any alligators.”

More trails like this →

Flat & fast 5 mentions

“The trail is completely flat, super easy to navigate, and has helpful little informational signs along the path that teach you all about the local ecosystem and trees.”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking 5 mentions

“Parking may be limited during busy times because there are just a few parking spaces in the small lot, but we were the only ones there, so this was not a problem for us.”

More trails like this →

🚻 Restrooms 3 mentions

“Bring your own water for drinking and go to the bathroom before arriving as there are none here.”

More trails like this →

Stroller / ADA accessible 3 mentions

“It's not good for wheelchair access since there's tree roots that go across the dirt paths.”

More trails like this →

🐕 Dog-friendly 2 mentions

“We brought the dogs and they enjoyed the walk.”

More trails like this →

🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

“It's not good for wheelchair access since there's tree roots that go across the dirt paths.”

More trails like this →

🪵 Boardwalk

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Audubon Newhall Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitehiltonheadaudubon.org
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 7 AM–7 PM
Tuesday 7 AM–7 PM
Wednesday 7 AM–7 PM
Thursday 7 AM–7 PM
Friday 7 AM–7 PM
Saturday 7 AM–7 PM
Sunday 7 AM–7 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Audubon Newhall Preserve

55 Palmetto Bay Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

Get directions

Running trails near Hilton Head Island

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Crossings Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 79 reviews

Hilton Head Island, SC

ShadedLitScenicDog-friendly

Sprawling park featuring baseball diamonds, skate park, children's playground and mountain bike trails.

under a mile away

Compass Rose Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 123 reviews

Hilton Head Island, SC

LitScenic

Relaxed park featuring a sculpture of a man walking an alligator.

under a mile away

Sea Pines Forest Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ 750 reviews

Hilton Head Island, SC

BoardwalkShadedScenicDog-friendly

This protected nature area has walking paths, boat tours & an archaeological site made of seashells.

1.4 miles away

Rice Field Boardwalk

4.9 ★★★★★ 9 reviews

Hilton Head Island, SC

Boardwalk

1.5 miles away

Fish Island Sea Pines Forest Preserve

4.6 ★★★★★ 119 reviews

Hilton Head Island, SC

BoardwalkScenic

Park featuring lots of trails, alligators and other wildlife.

1.6 miles away

Lowcountry Celebration Park

4.9 ★★★★★ 507 reviews

Hilton Head Island, SC

ShadedScenic

Family-friendly park featuring slides, a pirate ship, and other play equipment, plus space to run.

1.8 miles away

All running trails in Hilton Head Island, SC →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.