The Hilton Head Rear Range Lighthouse, also known as the Leamington Lighthouse, is a historic maritime structure built in 1880. Along with the "front" beacon on the coast that was taken out of commission in 1932, its purpose was to guide ships safely into Port Royal Sound. It is part of a light system where mariners aligned the rear light with a front range light to navigate difficult waters. The lighthouse was never moved and is located within the private Leamington Community [...]

The Rear Range Lighthouse is located in the private community of Leamington inside the Palmetto Dunes resort. Typically, the Leamington private community is off-limits to anyone not living in the gated community. However, if you ask permission to see the Rear Range Lighthouse, you will be given temporary access to this magnificent piece of history. The lighthouse itself is located between the 5th and 15th holes of the Arthur Hills Golf Course. To access the lighthouse, enter Palmetto Dunes off the William [...]

No, visiting the lighthouse in Leamington, known as the Rear Range Lighthouse, is free of charge. However, it is only accessible through the gated Leamington community at the Palmetto Dunes Resort. If you are interested in visiting, check in at the Palmetto Dunes resort's South Gate to request and request a guest pass at the Leamington entrance.

Technically, the lighthouse grounds are generally open during daylight hours. However, it is a good idea to visit before 5 p.m., as passes at the guard gate entering Leamington may not be issued after this time. Note that motorcycles are not permitted within Palmetto Dunes.

There is no parking lot around or near the Rear Range Lighthouse; however, Palmetto Dunes Resort says that you can park in the grass area beside the road at the lighthouse's entrance.  You can read their response to a visitor post on TripAdvisor. We decided to ride our bikes when we visited the lighthouse in Palmetto Dunes. This was the best decision in our case because we wanted to experience Leamington, and riding our bikes allowed us to go at a slower [...]

Yes, restroom facilities are available for men and women at the base of the Lighthouse. Having easy access to public restrooms makes this a great stop when taking a long bike ride to see this amazing structure.

Local legends tell of the "Blue Lady," believed to haunt the grounds of the Leamington Lighthouse, especially on stormy nights. During the devastating Sea Islands Hurricane on August 27, 1893, lighthouse keeper Adam Fripp and his daughter Caroline worked tirelessly to keep the light burning and ships out of trouble. Adam tragically died of a heart attack while bringing oil to the lighthouse. Although Caroline was devastated by the death of her father, she continued his work, wading through three feet of [...]

Currently, there are no guided tours of the lighthouse, and it's unlikely that there will be in the future due to its location. However, you can still enjoy a self-guided experience. Informational plaques near the lighthouse detail the three main structures: the lighthouse itself, the oil house, and the cistern. Additionally, pamphlets are available at the lighthouse's base to provide further information, making it easy to learn about this fascinating landmark at your own pace.