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4.5
1,451 votes

Angel Oak Park

3671 Angel Oak Rd, Johns Island, South Carolina 29455 USA

Free
Free to Visit
Open Now
Fri 9a-5p
  • Independent
  • Pet Friendly
  • Public
    Restrooms
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Natural Wonder

Our Take

Hidden behind a church on Johns Island, the Angel Oak is a natural wonder worth admiring. Its massive and grizzled limbs (one is 187 feet long) give it an ancient appearance, although estimates place it at 400-500 years old. The name comes from the Angel family, who originally owned it, but there are legends of former slaves appearing as angels around it, which wouldn't be hard to imagine. The live oak has a supernatural air to it as if the tree itself has a soul.

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“One of America's oldest living trees”

Angel Oak Tree Park is located on Johns Island with no admission charge. The park also has a gift shop and picnic area.

On Johns Island stands the majestic Angel Oak. Estimated to be between 400-500 years old; the tree towers 65 feet high and has a circumference of 25.5 feet. Its area of shade is 17,000 square feet and its largest limb has a circumference of 11.5 feet, and a length of 89 feet. 

Live oaks are not particularly tall trees, but have wide-spreading canopies. Only in the very old specimens do you find massive limbs resting on the ground, as you do the limbs of the Angel Oak. The City of Charleston acquired the Angel Oak Park in 1991.

The Angel Oak has come to symbolize Charleston. It is a Southern live oak located in Angel Oak Park, on Johns Island near Charleston.  The Angel  Oak Tree stands 66.5 ft  (20 m) tall, measures 28 ft (8.5 m) in circumference, and produces shade that covers 17,200 square feet (1,600 m2). From tip to tip  Its longest branch distance is 187 ft. 

The Angel Oak Tree is thought to  be one of the oldest living things in the country.  The land where the Angel Oak Tree stands was part of Abraham Waight's 1717 land grant.  The  City of Charleston now owns the property.  The Angel Oak Park is free and  the tree should be added to any visit to Charleston, Kiawah or Seabrook  Islands.

Thought to be among the oldest living things in the United States of America, the tree stands on land that was part of Abraham Waight's 1717 land grant.

The Angel Oak is located on John's Island near Charleston, South Carolina. The Angel Oak tree is featured prominently in the book, The Locket, by Emily Nelson.

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Reviewed by
kmb3

  • 1 Review
  • 14 Helpful
March 18, 2013
Rated

Absolutely beautiful. Stunning.
Not too many tourists, but enough that you could ask to get your picture taken (no tripods allowed). In addition, no high heels were permitted either-for those of you who tend to travel fancily.
Defiantly worth the drive & easy to find, even though it's off the beaten path.

14 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Gidget5

  • 2 Reviews
  • 10 Helpful
August 17, 2014
Rated 5.0

Agree it's worth the stop. Angel Oak really does take your breath away, especially when you stop to think that it was around hundreds of years before our country was born. The park is small and keeps to it's published hours. It can be a quick stop, or you can linger as well as browse the gift shop. Unique and a treasure.

10 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
jnleavitt

  • 11 Reviews
  • 20 Helpful
September 30, 2014
Rated 3.0

Went on a Saturday morning in early September. It was pretty crowded, nothing like the quiet picture you see above. There are signs everywhere politely asking people not to climb on or touch the tree, which is fair, but it does kind of distract from the aesthetics. In addition, there were several large boards propping up large branches, which, again, is probably helpful to keep the tree healthy but does make it less picturesque. A quieter time probably would've improved my experience. As it was, we snapped some pictures of the admittedly stunning tree (all of which pictures had a bunch of tourists in them), stayed for 20 minutes, then left. Worth the stop, as it's not far from Charleston, but would be better at some off-season time.

7 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
MrNate

  • 4 Reviews
  • 6 Helpful
January 15, 2015
Rated 4.0

It's free! Otherwise, it's a big tree. Don't expect much, but it is pretty cool.

3 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Tatiana Danger

  • Road Warrior
  • 1,169 Reviews
  • 910 Helpful
February 28, 2013
Rated 4.0

Unfortunately you're not allowed to climb this tree, but it makes for one hell of an awesome photo op.

3 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
liz236

  • 1 Review
  • 2 Helpful
March 17, 2016
Rated

That first time I saw Angel Oak it was privately owned. My best friend, Stephanie told me we were going to look at a tree. I wasn't very excited about it. I wanted to go to the beach. Any way, when we arrived I was awe struck. After that every time I visited Charleston we went to see Angel Oak. After Hugo, I first asked if Stephanie and her family were ok, I asked about Angrl Oak. If any of my friends go to Charleston I always tel them to take the time to see Angel Oak. It is worth the time.

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
pastor.ari

  • 74 Reviews
  • 62 Helpful
August 15, 2014
Rated 4.0

A must for nature lovers and tree lovers. The awe-inspiring immensity of the tree and serene setting make for a very spiritual feeling to the place.

2 people found this review helpful
  • 8 Reviews
  • 10 Helpful
July 19, 2014
Rated

So worth it to go. It will take your breath away

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
76VeeDub

  • 38 Reviews
  • 16 Helpful
April 08, 2018
Rated 3.0

This tree deserves its name. I won't even begin to try to explain the power of this big majestic m-fer, because it's hard to put into words. Just look at the pictures of it, put it on your list, and go there. It also deserves 10 out of 5 stars.

The amount of people here deserve -5 out of 5 stars.

The amount of signs here deserve -100 out of 5 stars. I get it, they ARE necessary to protect the tree and stop the morons that unfortunately outnumber us sane people from doing the stupid stuff that stupid people do. And I'm sure there are people out there that would deface the tree, or climb it, or not be conscious of their surroundings. But theres literally over 100 signs here, I counted. Signs not to use tripods, wear heels, have picnics, have pets, take pictures for others, climb, use blankets, gather within 200 feet from the tree, be there 5 minutes before or after their operating hours, or my personal favorite multiple signs stating to not touch or move the signs! The gift shop was even worse. No pictures, and you sure as Hell better not try to read a book. There's signs that literally say you don't deserve to own a book if you can't tell if you like it or not based on the cover alone, you open it you bought it!

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Emily Gill

  • Road Warrior
  • 53 Reviews
  • 7 Helpful
January 28, 2016
Rated 5.0

Absolutely beautiful. I've been several times and been astounded every time. Only drawbacks: parking can be difficult because it gets busy during tourist season and the location is not very handicap accessible because the drive and parking area are gravel and dirt.

1 person found this review helpful

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Angel Oak Park

3671 Angel Oak Rd
Johns Island, South Carolina
29455 USA
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Hours

Open now until 5:00 pm
  • Sun: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
  • Mon - Sat: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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