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A must-see if you're spending the day on John's Island. Pictures don't do this beautiful tree justice. Lowcountry Land Trust bought 40+ acres around the angel oak and will be making it until a preserve, and I'm so excited to come back then. I hope they incorporate more educational opportunities, fix the road, and add native plant around the trails.
The Angel Oak Tree had been on my bucket list for a long time, so I was really excited to finally visit. Just a heads-up--parking is very limited. It's only available along one side of the road, and the turn-off is easy to miss. Once you're about half a mile away, start slowing down, and once you see cars parked along the right-hand side, grab a spot. If you drive past the tree, there's no parking beyond that point, and you'll likely have to turn around. I visited around closing time (around 4-5 p.m.), and there were quite a lot of people. The tree itself is truly breathtaking--the trunk, the unexpected shape of the branches, the age--you feel it. You're not allowed to touch it, but you can get very close and take as many photos as you like. That part was wonderful. However, I do feel the overall experience is a bit overrated--not because of the tree, but because of the lack of management/tour guide presence and the surrounding setup. Only about half to three-quarters of the tree is accessible to walk around; the rest is blocked by fencing that separates it from the parking area. It would be nice if they expanded the viewing area to allow a full walk-around experience. The security guard on site was having a power trip, which really dampened the experience. Was it worth seeing? Yes. Is it a magical tree? Yes. But I wish there were better accessibility to properly enjoy the space and take it all in.
Took a drive to go see this historic tree and I was not disappointed. It was absolutely stunning. You are able to park right outside of the gates and enter entry is free. There are restrooms available on site with a gift shop. Picnic tables are available as well as an area you are able to bring your dog in. There is also a guard on site. I thought it was very cool reading about the baby angel oak tree.
Paying a visit to Angel Oak on Johns Island is well worth the pretty 30-minute drive from downtown. It is one of Charleston's most photographed icons on Johns Island: the Angel Oak. Known as one of the most beautiful trees in the world, Angel Oak is another Charleston treasure. It is between 400 and 500 years old, making it one of the oldest living trees east of the Mississippi, and its canopy shades more than 20,000 square feet. The gorgeous tree is 65 feet high, with a circumference of 25.5 feet. Pose next to its long limbs. Angel Oak is only a 30-minute drive from the city, and the surrounding park offers free admission
The tree is beautiful in person and well worth the visit. It was easy to find and free to visit, but they do have business hours as the last entrance is 4:30 or 4:45 PM. The park does have a fence at the entrance, but the tree is not closed off. I appreciate that you are allowed to touch the tree and walk around it to fully appreciate its beauty. They have plenty of signage reminding people to be gentle and also what things are not allowed.
Not really sure what to say about this. It's a tree. It's a really big tree, and it's impressive as heck, but they tell you that the inside is mostly dead and rotted out, and the large limbs have posts in the ground holding them up so their own weight doesn't break them off. There's a gift shop that sells lots of pictures and postcards of the tree, but the wooden cutting boards and walking sticks here are not from the tree itself, but it seems like that would make more money? They built a park around it so you can go look at it if you want...
It's amazing how huge this tree is. There's not much to see/do other than the tree so you may spend more time finding parking. It would have been nice to see a little more history or story about the tree. Also, it's hard to believe they don't ask for a $5 donation to enter because I would gladly pay to protect this historic tree: free entry with donations welcome but I didn't see anywhere to donate. The gift shop was pretty pricy and the staff was VERY rude: yelling at people that pictures were not allowed and such. Relax lady, I was just snapping a shot of your inspiring collection of overpriced mugs and keychains. Didn't realize taking a picture of a Charleston dish towel was an act of copyright infringement. Maybe next time I'll just draw a sketch--wouldn't want to steal the trade secrets of your ceramic tree figurines. But I digress the tree IS worth seeing and is very impressive.
My wife and I visited here on a trip to South Carolina. It was a little drive and took some navigating to get there but well worth the trip. You have to walk a little ways back to it but it wasn't a bad walk. The Angel Oak is a massive Southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) on Johns Island, and is one of the oldest and largest of its kind east of the Mississippi. Estimated to be 400-500 years old (though some claim up to 1,500 years), it stands 65-66.5 feet tall, with a trunk circumference of 25.5-28 feet and a canopy covering 17,000-20,000 square feet. Its largest branch spans 187 feet. The tree, named after the estate of Justus and Martha Waight Angel, is a focal point of Angel Oak Park, owned by the City of Charleston since 1991. Was very cool.
It's hard to put into words how large and unique this tree is. The minute you walk up to it, you're amazed by its girth and spread. Once you take it all in, there's also a spiritual presence that encompasses you. The trees rich history and sacrid stories are also very interesting. I take everyone that visits me from out of town to see the Angel Oak. And so far, they have all been in awe. Lastly, there's also a surprisingly good gift shop.
Angel Oak is a great little detour if you are nearby. That is exactly what we did! It's located off a little dirt road with very little signage. There is parking available outside the fence or handicap parking is located within the perimeters. The Angel Oak is a massive tree and certainly impressive to see in person. It is a protected tree, so there are some roped off area and signs requesting you to be respectful of the grounds, roots, limbs, etc. There is a picnic area within view of the tree. As you are heading out, stop by the little gift shop! read more
2 months ago
A must-see if you're spending the day on John's Island. Pictures don't do this beautiful tree justice. Lowcountry Land Trust bought 40+ acres around the angel oak and will be making it until a preserve, and I'm so excited to come back then. I hope they incorporate more educational opportunities, fix the road, and add native plant around the trails. read more
The Angel Oak Tree had been on my bucket list for a long time, so I was really excited to finally visit. Just a heads-up--parking is very limited. It's only available along one side of the road, and the turn-off is easy to miss. Once you're about half a mile away, start slowing down, and once you see cars parked along the right-hand side, grab a spot. If you drive past the tree, there's no parking beyond that point, and you'll likely have to turn around. I visited around closing time (around 4-5 p.m.), and there were quite a lot of people. The tree itself is truly breathtaking--the trunk, the unexpected shape of the branches, the age--you feel it. You're not allowed to touch it, but you can get very close and take as many photos as you like. That part was wonderful. However, I do feel the overall experience is a bit overrated--not because of the tree, but because of the lack of management/tour guide presence and the surrounding setup. Only about half to three-quarters of the tree is accessible to walk around; the rest is blocked by fencing that separates it from the parking area. It would be nice if they expanded the viewing area to allow a full walk-around experience. The security guard on site was having a power trip, which really dampened the experience. Was it worth seeing? Yes. Is it a magical tree? Yes. But I wish there were better accessibility to properly enjoy the space and take it all in. read more
10 months ago
Went here today and really enjoyed seeing the tree and talking nice pictures. It's a must if you are in the area. Please come early if you do want to avoid the crowds. read more
Took a drive to go see this historic tree and I was not disappointed. It was absolutely stunning. You are able to park right outside of the gates and enter entry is free. There are restrooms available on site with a gift shop. Picnic tables are available as well as an area you are able to bring your dog in. There is also a guard on site. I thought it was very cool reading about the baby angel oak tree. read more
Paying a visit to Angel Oak on Johns Island is well worth the pretty 30-minute drive from downtown. It is one of Charleston's most photographed icons on Johns Island: the Angel Oak. Known as one of the most beautiful trees in the world, Angel Oak is another Charleston treasure. It is between 400 and 500 years old, making it one of the oldest living trees east of the Mississippi, and its canopy shades more than 20,000 square feet. The gorgeous tree is 65 feet high, with a circumference of 25.5 feet. Pose next to its long limbs. Angel Oak is only a 30-minute drive from the city, and the surrounding park offers free admission read more
The tree is beautiful in person and well worth the visit. It was easy to find and free to visit, but they do have business hours as the last entrance is 4:30 or 4:45 PM. The park does have a fence at the entrance, but the tree is not closed off. I appreciate that you are allowed to touch the tree and walk around it to fully appreciate its beauty. They have plenty of signage reminding people to be gentle and also what things are not allowed. read more
1 year ago
Not really sure what to say about this. It's a tree. It's a really big tree, and it's impressive as heck, but they tell you that the inside is mostly dead and rotted out, and the large limbs have posts in the ground holding them up so their own weight doesn't break them off. There's a gift shop that sells lots of pictures and postcards of the tree, but the wooden cutting boards and walking sticks here are not from the tree itself, but it seems like that would make more money? They built a park around it so you can go look at it if you want... read more
1 month ago
It's amazing how huge this tree is. There's not much to see/do other than the tree so you may spend more time finding parking. It would have been nice to see a little more history or story about the tree. Also, it's hard to believe they don't ask for a $5 donation to enter because I would gladly pay to protect this historic tree: free entry with donations welcome but I didn't see anywhere to donate. The gift shop was pretty pricy and the staff was VERY rude: yelling at people that pictures were not allowed and such. Relax lady, I was just snapping a shot of your inspiring collection of overpriced mugs and keychains. Didn't realize taking a picture of a Charleston dish towel was an act of copyright infringement. Maybe next time I'll just draw a sketch--wouldn't want to steal the trade secrets of your ceramic tree figurines. But I digress the tree IS worth seeing and is very impressive. read more
My wife and I visited here on a trip to South Carolina. It was a little drive and took some navigating to get there but well worth the trip. You have to walk a little ways back to it but it wasn't a bad walk. The Angel Oak is a massive Southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) on Johns Island, and is one of the oldest and largest of its kind east of the Mississippi. Estimated to be 400-500 years old (though some claim up to 1,500 years), it stands 65-66.5 feet tall, with a trunk circumference of 25.5-28 feet and a canopy covering 17,000-20,000 square feet. Its largest branch spans 187 feet. The tree, named after the estate of Justus and Martha Waight Angel, is a focal point of Angel Oak Park, owned by the City of Charleston since 1991. Was very cool. read more
It's hard to put into words how large and unique this tree is. The minute you walk up to it, you're amazed by its girth and spread. Once you take it all in, there's also a spiritual presence that encompasses you. The trees rich history and sacrid stories are also very interesting. I take everyone that visits me from out of town to see the Angel Oak. And so far, they have all been in awe. Lastly, there's also a surprisingly good gift shop. read more
Wow this 300 year old oak tree is absolutely amazing! Free entry & parking, although donations are appreciated. Respect the tree and enjoy it from a distance- it's truly amazing to see in person! (P.s. there is handicapped parking right inside the gate if needed) read more
As a native Chuck-town I always stop by the AO to spend a moment in thought when I come back to visit. This is a great place to reflect on yesterday, today and tomorrow. This trip was especially memorable because I was able to bring my grandson and nephew t only tell him about the AO, but also our Gullah story. read more
If you love nature, this is a must visit spot. The tree is estimated to be 400-500 years old and is truly a majestic sight. This historic landmark features a massive old oak tree with sprawling branches that seem to reach in every direction. Best of all, it's completely free to visit. However, I did experience some itching after being near the tree. After doing a bit of research, I found out it could be caused by things like poison ivy, oak allergies, or even oak itch mites. Something to keep in mind if you have sensitive skin. There are signs posted all around the tree explaining what not to do. Such as sitting on or hanging from the branches, as they could break. Unfortunately, despite the clear signage, some visitors still needed reminders. Overall, it's a beautiful and memorable experience, but be respectful of the tree and take necessary precautions. read more
I have wanted to see this majestic beauty for years and have admired the many paintings and photos of it. I can now tell you that as impressive as it is in the drawings, paintings and photos, they can never give the impressive nature of this beauty! Under the tree is a tiny sapling that is a mere 3 years old to compare it to. The gift shop is small but contains cute souvenirs and I would recommend taking time to check it out. I will say a visit to this park would only take a fraction of a day, and that one could carve out an hour or so of there day to visit. read more
10 months ago
If you're a nature lover like I am, make the trip to visit this site. We have been to the giant Sequoia forests in California, and this is just as impressive in its own right. The sprawling limbs and cascading moss are a sight to behold. I am so happy we stopped here. I hope the conservation efforts continue to protect locations like this. read more
1 year ago
Need to get a little 'tree hug' energy? Awe inspiring, Angel Oak is a beautiful tree that reminds one of the power of nature. And the birds, OH MY!!! There were so many different varieties of bird all a flutter There is a bit of a path to meander for a little more substance as well. It's a nice quick stop or you can turn it to an inspirational picnic stop. There is plenty of places to park, terrain is tightly packed gravel (mild walk but not paved). It's free to get in and has a little gift shop - some things are value priced while others are a bit more pricey. A port-a-potty for restroom (so go before if you're particular). Pack some grub and enjoy under the shade of a glorious 400 year ole beauty! read more
Relatively easy to find and free to access. Parking can be crowded during certain times. The tree is nearly 400+ years old and is quite impressive. There's certain rules to follow such as not sitting on the tree or hanging from it or doing any yoga'ing. There's some picnic tables inside the fence too. Gift shop closes before the park does. 2024 #8 read more
2 years ago
Had to leave a review for my beautiful mama miss her so much and my uncle her brother took us to see the Angel Oak tree she loved so much when she came to visit South Kakalakie lol idk how y'all spell it but man you get this overwhelming feeling being amongst one of God's old and one of his most beautiful creations I loved the tree so much and wish I could of had my alone time with her jus feel so emotional without my mom and wanted to talk to her in that moment but was with a group. I felt close to her. Jus wanted to cry but I'd look all crazy and emotional lol. I am highly emotional but not crazy haha. Jus when you get older and watch your loved ones get there too it's an extremely emotional feeling. My uncle is a cancer survivor and has had to use a cane since that surgery around 30 years ago. My aunt and uncle like to stop by here on there way to Charleston and I think it was Foley Beach we went to after this! I love how the tree is taken care of and loved so much, how the branches are within the ground, rise from the ground, how it makes you feel so small, reiterating historical greatness! Wish I lived closer to the Angel Oak, make some wishes for me lol read more
Every time I come to low country I have to stop by and pay respects to one of the most majestic trees Ive ever seen. You can feel its presence as you approach and there is a peaceful presence you cannot dismiss. It's almost as if people get quiet and reverent in its presence. Support if you are able (there is a giftshop) or just come and enjoy!! read more
2 years ago
Coolest tree you will ever see. Take the trip out to see it. Let's the kids nap a while it will take 30 minutes to get there but hey you are close to Folly Beach for an afterglow. However skip the entrance behind the church turn left and go to the other entrance. Your car and neck will thank you later. There's a pothole war taking place behind the church and I think the holes are winning. read more
2 years ago
Really beautiful tree in SC--a must see. You feel like a kid again navigating around the ginormous tree trunks. Admission is free but be sure to get there in a timely manner because they close 10 minutes before 5pm. We saw them turn away guests at this time. They are strict about this closing time. Property is pretty small as it's literally just a tree fenced in, however there is a gift shop on property. It was pretty expensive even for a gift shop. $15 for a postcard... Anyway visit this tree and feel peace from its roots. :) read more
2 years ago
The Angel Oak Tree is an exceptionally large Southern live oak located in Angel Oak Park in Johns Island, South Carolina. The tree measures an impressive 28 feet in circumference, a testament to its age and the centuries of growth it has experienced. Its branches stretch outwards to cover an area of approximately 17,200 square feet, providing a vast canopy of shade that has sheltered countless visitors over the years. Perhaps the most awe-inspiring feature of this tree is the span of its longest branch, which reaches a staggering 187 feet from tip to tip. Once believed to be 1,500 years old, experts now estimate that it is probably closer to 400-500 years old (which is still very impressive). Some have claimed that the tree is the oldest living organism east of the Mississippi River. However, there are bald cypress trees located throughout Georgia and North Carolina which have been proven to be significantly older. One in North Carolina is over 1,600 years old. As long as the Angel Oak continues to remain healthy, it is believed to have a lifespan of 900 years. My family and I visited the Angel Oak this past summer while we were visiting family in the area. Although we had already visited it on a previous trip, it is just so impressive that we needed to see it again. The tree is equally beautiful and eerie. The gnarled limbs and branches almost give the tree the appearance of a gigantic tentacled organism that one would expect to see in the TV series "Stranger Things". The City of Charleston and local conservationists have worked tirelessly to protect the tree and its surrounding environment. Hopefully this remarkable tree will continue to thrive for several more centuries so countless others can see it. We highly recommend anyone visiting the Greater Charleston area to visit the Angel Oak! read more
3 years ago
A must see if you are in the area. We were exploring the Charleston Tea Garden/Farm up the road and the tour guide told us we had to check out Angel Oak- so we made sure to follow the signs down a dirt road and found all the cars parked along. You enter in a gate (there is handicap accessible parking which we didn't see because of a tour bus blocking the sign) and walk around the gift shop to enter in the "proper" way to see the tree. This is a little counter-intuitive since you are walking past the tree before going around the building. I will say it is very clearly labeled everywhere how to proceed. Once you are finished walking around the tree and taking as many pictures as your heart desires, you can go inside the gift shop and then exit. The shop is an active fundraiser for the property- because everything was a touch expensive and some things were woof expensive. The tree is a very easy 5 stars. The signage was obnoxious. But, I didn't get yelled at- so I guess that means the obnoxious signage worked! read more
9 months ago
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2 years ago
Please do not miss this massive treat when visiting Charleston SC or neighboring areas. This tree is over 400 yrs old. Can you imagine? It will be difficult to capture this tree in one shot unless it's a drone. There's a baby Angel tree growing. There's a tiny gift shop read more
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More info about Angel Oak
3688 Angel Oak Rd
Johns Island, SC 29455
Directions
(843) 559-3496
Call Now
Visit Website
https://www.charleston-sc.gov/153/Angel-Oak
Hours
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Ask the Community - Angel Oak
Are there parking spots/Is there a parking area available?
Yes, there are about 15 parking spots and about 4 for compact card. Everytime I have been there, there were 2 trucks or large vehicles taking up the 4 compact car spots.
Is the time 9-5 still the case? Reviews sound like access at anytime?
Not open anytime, unless you want to view from outside the fence. 9 to 5 sounds about right.
Are dogs allowed?
YES, dogs are allowed in certain areas...just not around the tree. We brought a very energetic 6 month lab pup and as long as we kept him from the tree, no problem!
Review Highlights - Angel Oak
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Angel Oak - parks - Updated July 2026
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