Visiting Parris Island offers a perfect blend of history, nature, and recreation. Explore the Parris Island Museum, where you’ll uncover the rich legacy of the Marine Corps and local Lowcountry history. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy a round at Legends Golf Course, a stunning 72-par course winding through salt marsh wetlands, or the Sanctuary Golf Club, set right on the island. For outdoor adventurers, biking, hiking, and swimming opportunities abound, alongside scenic spots like the Spanish Moss Trail and the Cypress Wetlands, teeming with wildlife and natural beauty. Don’t miss the Charlesfort/Santa Elena site, a historic landmark that predates Jamestown, showcasing the area’s deep historical roots.
MCRD Parris Island is open to the public. There is no admission fees associated with coming onto the depot base or the museum.
United States citizens may access the depot and the museum by presenting their REAL ID valid Drivers License, proof of auto insurance, and vehicle registration to the guard at the Main gate. Please tell the guard you are visiting the museum. (Any citizens outside of the US will need to register 60 days in advance through the MCRD Visitor page by clicking here.)
The Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris is the Eastern recruiting base and training facility producing new Marines.
The Eastern Recruiting Region is responsible for total force recruitment of both prior service and non-prior service for both officer and enlisted accessions within the eastern United States and Puerto Rico. This includes Active Duty and Reserve Marine contracts.
Play a round of golf at The Legends Golf Course on Parris Island, where stunning views of oak trees, marshlands, and deep-water creeks await you. This challenging course features holes named after Marine Corps legends, with no homes disrupting the serene layout. To access the base, bring a REAL ID or two valid forms of identification, along with a driver’s license, car registration, and proof of insurance. Book your tee time by calling the Pro Shop at (843) 228-2240 and get ready for an unforgettable experience.
The Charlesfort-Santa Elena Site on Parris Island, South Carolina, is a treasure trove of early colonial history. This National Historic Landmark preserves the remnants of Charlesfort, a French settlement from 1562, and Santa Elena, a Spanish settlement built later in the 16th century. Notably, the Spanish constructed their fort directly over the abandoned Charlesfort, and the site includes structures once known as Fort San Marcos and Fort San Felipe. These exceptionally preserved ruins provide valuable insights into early French and Spanish colonial life. Visitors can explore this historic site by visiting the Parris Island Museum, where they can access a QR code and the Iron Mike Tour map for a self-guided experience.
