Angel Oak Tree: hours, cost, rules and how old it really is
The Angel Oak is a free City of Charleston park at 3688 Angel Oak Road on Johns Island. It's open Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m., and closed on holidays. The City puts the live oak at 300 to 400 years old and 65 feet tall.
Key facts
- Address
- 3688 Angel Oak Road, Johns Island, SC 29455
- Hours
- Mon–Sat 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sun 1–5 p.m.; last entry 4:50 p.m.
- Holidays
- Closed (the City doesn't publish which ones)
- Admission
- Free; donations accepted
- Run by
- City of Charleston, 843-559-3496
- Age
- 300–400 years per the City; other estimates run to 500
- Size
- 65 ft tall, 25.5 ft around, about 17,000 sq ft of shade
- Not allowed at the tree
- Blankets, food, drinks, props and tripods
- Pets
- Leashed, in designated areas including the picnic area
- Landmark status
- National Register of Historic Places since May 21, 2026
Checked against the sources at the bottom of this page on Oct 29, 2026. Hours and fees can change, so confirm before you go.
The Angel Oak is a Southern live oak on Johns Island and one of the most visited places around Charleston: the City of Charleston estimates about 400,000 visitors a year. It stands in a small City park, and seeing it costs nothing.
Where is the Angel Oak Tree?
The tree is at 3688 Angel Oak Road, Johns Island, SC 29455, in a park run by the City of Charleston’s Special Facilities Division. One City page lists a downtown 29402 ZIP code, so use 29455 for directions.
When is the Angel Oak open?
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday–Saturday | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Sunday | 1–5 p.m. |
Last entry is 4:50 p.m., and the gift shop closes at 4:30 p.m. every day. The park closes on holidays, but the City doesn’t say which ones, so call 843-559-3496 before a holiday visit.
Admission is free. The City accepts donations for the tree’s care.
How old is the Angel Oak, really?
No exact age has been published, and estimates vary:
| Source | Estimated age |
|---|---|
| City of Charleston (owner) | 300–400 years |
| Post and Courier (June 2026) | About 300–500 years |
| The Cultural Landscape Foundation | 400–500 years |
Some websites claim 1,000 to 1,500 years. We couldn’t find a credible published source for any figure of 1,000 years or more.
How big is the Angel Oak?
The City lists the tree at 65 feet tall, with a trunk 25.5 feet around, shading about 17,000 square feet. It calls the Angel Oak “the largest Live Oak Tree east of the Mississippi.”
Why is it called the Angel Oak?
The name comes from a family, not from angels. According to The Cultural Landscape Foundation, Abraham Waight acquired the land in 1717. The plantation and its tree took the Angel name after Martha Waight married Justus Angel in 1810. Stories about ghosts or angels are folklore.
Rules to know before you go
- Keep things off the tree. The City doesn’t allow blankets, drinks, food, props or tripods on or around it.
- Picnics go in the picnic area, which has tables.
- Pets are allowed on a leash in designated areas, including the picnic area.
- Weddings and photo shoots need a permit, and so do engagement sessions and other special events. Contact the City’s Recreation Department at 843-724-7327 and apply at least 21 days ahead. The City’s May 2024 fee schedule lists a one-hour wedding for up to 25 people at $150, plus an application fee of $15 for City residents or $30 for non-residents.
- Climbing and drones: the City’s posted rules don’t mention either. Our advice is to stay off the limbs, which are centuries old, and to ask the City before you fly anything.
Parking and accessibility
The City’s pages don’t describe parking or accessible routes. If you have accessibility needs, call the park at 843-559-3496 before you go. Plans for the new preserve include an entry road from Bohicket Road meant to keep parked cars off the tree’s roots.
The Angel Oak Preserve: what’s changing
More than a decade ago, land around the tree was approved for hundreds of new homes. Since then:
- 2013: The Lowcountry Land Trust secured a first tract of about 17 acres, stopping 254 planned housing units.
- 2014: The Land Trust started a campaign for a second tract of about 18 acres, which was permitted for 260 apartments plus retail.
- 2026: The City and the Land Trust now jointly protect the tree and the 44-acre landscape around it.
- May 21, 2026: The Angel Oak was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the first tree in South Carolina to be listed individually.
The preserve plan adds boardwalk trails and a nature play area, and the park stays free. In January 2026, Live 5 put the cost at $13.5 million. The Land Trust expected construction to begin in 2026, and a larger gift shop is planned for a future welcome center. We’ll report construction dates and any closures in the newsletter.
Tips for a better visit
- Go early on a weekday. The tree draws hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, so weekday mornings are your best chance at a quiet visit.
- Mind the Sunday hours: the park doesn’t open until 1 p.m.
- Make a morning of it. Pair the tree with farm stands, trails and history stops from our things to do on Johns Island guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Angel Oak Tree free to visit?
Yes. Admission is free. The City of Charleston, which owns the park, accepts donations for the tree's care.
How old is the Angel Oak Tree?
Nobody has published an exact age. The City of Charleston estimates 300 to 400 years, the Post and Courier has reported roughly 300 to 500, and The Cultural Landscape Foundation says 400 to 500. Claims of 1,000 years or more aren't backed by a published source.
Is the Angel Oak the largest live oak east of the Mississippi?
That's how the City of Charleston describes it. The City lists the tree at 65 feet tall and 25.5 feet around, with about 17,000 square feet of shade.
Can I bring my dog to the Angel Oak?
Yes, on a leash, in designated areas that include the picnic area, according to the City of Charleston.
Can I have a wedding or photo shoot at the Angel Oak?
Yes, with a City permit. Weddings, wedding and engagement photo shoots and other special events need one from the City's Recreation Department (843-724-7327). Apply at least 21 days ahead.
When is the Angel Oak closed?
Outside its posted hours and on holidays. The City doesn't publish which holidays, so call 843-559-3496 before planning a holiday visit.
What is the official Angel Oak website?
The City of Charleston's Angel Oak page at charleston-sc.gov is the official source for hours and rules. Other sites with Angel Oak in the name aren't run by the City.
Sources
- Angel Oak, City of Charleston
- Angel Oak facility details and hours, City of Charleston
- Recreation fees and permits (May 2024), City of Charleston
- Angel Oak Park, The Cultural Landscape Foundation
- Angel Oak listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Lowcountry Land Trust, June 2026
- Angel Oak Preserve update, Lowcountry Land Trust, June 2025
- Campaign to protect the second Angel Oak tract, Lowcountry Land Trust, January 2014
- Angel Oak tree on Johns Island now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Post and Courier, June 5, 2026
- Plans for Angel Oak Preserve move forward; full funding still needed, Live 5 News, January 2026
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