Angel Oak Tree — Attraction in Charleston

Beautiful historic tree. That's the reason to go. If you're a nature lover and enjoy historic sites, this is a must. The tree is awe-inspiring.

I've seen complaints about staff in other reviews, but they're contradictory: either they think the staff was rude and too strict or uninterested and not enforcing rules. We didn't experience either of those issues.

The staff was protective of the grounds, as they need to be in order to preserve the grounds and protect the tree, but they were kind. The gift shop isn't much to look at, and definitely use the restroom before you arrive. I didn't try to use them there, but others who did said it was not pleasant. But it's a quick stop, and we didn't go for the gift shop. It's not even a part of the experience.

Parking is limited, but they also have an area Uber/Lyft drop offs and pickups. There are a lot of rules and signs posted to preserve this beautiful tree, and as long as you follow the rules, all is well. Pets are allowed on site, but not within a certain distance of the tree. No heels (which should be common sense) and no setting bags down on the ground within a certain radius.

I've seen complaints in other reviews that they were made to pick up their bag because they set it close to the tree, but that others were allowed to set theirs down. That means that the staff can't see everything, not that they're singling you out. Just because other people "got away with it" doesn't mean you should. Just show some respect. It's not that hard. Don't be an entitled jerk, and you likely won't have any issues (which is ironic because the people I've seen complaining the most are the exact type of people who go around calling younger generations "entitled." Self-awareness level: 0

It depends on the day and time as to how crowded it will be and how difficult the parking situation is, so that's all down to planning and luck. It is typically a 15-20 minute stop, so if it seems too crowded, take a drive around and try again in half an hour.

Again, none of that has anything to do with the tree. And it's free. Like...totally free.

It closes fairly early, but it is still possible to see the tree from behind the fence.

If you go to see the tree and have an ounce of respect, you will enjoy...

Angel Oak Park is truly a gem! The historic tree is breathtaking, and visiting this natural wonder is always a highlight for me and my family. As children, we visit this tree for fun before it was a historic park.

However, our recent visit was marred by an unpleasant encounter with a staff member. As soon as we arrived, this staff member made an unwarranted assumption about our intentions, loudly commenting to her colleague that we were there for a photo shoot, which we were not. We heard her told her counterpart at the gate as we were walking in that we couldn't take pictures if it was a photo shoot, despite this being a free public park. Her counterpart even looked at her, like who said they were having a photo shoot. After capturing our breathtaking pictures of the tree and leaving before their announcement that the park was closing, she proceeded to follow me and my daughter as we were leaving to tell us that she can get in trouble if her manager found out we were having a photo shoot. What? Who said we were having a photo shoot?!!

What made the experience even more disappointing was the fact that she didn’t seem to have a problem with any of the other guests who were also taking pictures with professional cameras. In fact, her counterparts were even helping other visitors with their photos. It was frustrating to feel singled out and harassed and we are NATIVES of the Island after traveling an hour and a half to visit a place we’ve always cherished our entire life!

I hope the park management can address this issue so that all visitors can enjoy this incredible site without unnecessary and unwelcome confrontations. Angel Oak Park is a treasure, and it deserves to be staffed by people who enhance the experience, not diminish it. Have a good...

Visiting this tree is an experience I recommend, but I'm still unsure about what to take from it.

It made us feel weird, and even now, we're struggling to explain why.

Aside from the obvious spectacle of the tree and the way the limbs cloisonne themselves against the sky until you're looking at something that could be a batik fabric, or a close-up transparency of the circulatory system in an old medical text, there's everything around it:

Chains and signs and fences intended to protect it from the human consequences of its grandeur.

It doesn't know it's grand or symbolic, or a landmark, or a local touchstone, or that there's a gift shop out back, as cynical as any other (and probably as necessary to make its protection possible).

Like any other landmark, people stand around it all day long, taking the same picture over and over again.

In one damp little alcove of a branch, we discovered some small polished gemstones, left perhaps as an offering.

Five-lined skinks scampered around the rooty gnarls, climbing the support posts and cable stays supporting the limbs' serpentine bulk.

It's not unusual for poor people like me to envy celebrities. This tree reminded me of someone so beloved and admired-- and so oblivious to the dangers of that admiration-- that a 24 hour security detail becomes necessary.

Maybe it's stupid to anthropomorphize it. But with this many people swarming around it, the fundamental human stuff is thick in the air. And maybe we're repetitive and predictable, but at least we'll drive down a dusty country road to be blown away by awe and wonder, no matter how fraught and...