Half a century ago, the dunes were really wild across the 1,600-acre property that was the Sand Dollar Campground. Today it is the premier resort community in Charleston, Wild Dunes. Visitors to the island were enthralled by its natural beauty, its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the simplicity of life on the northern tip of Isle of Palms. Visitors no longer sleep in trailers or tents when visiting this wonder of nature, but may choose from one of many top-of-the-line condominiums, townhomes and vacation homes offered by Lowcountry Vacation Properties.
Wild Dunes is one of the Southeast’s premier oceanfront resorts offering world-class golf courses, a nationally recognized tennis complex, as well as a day-spa, biking trails, restaurants, shopping and two and half miles of secluded beaches.
The transformation from campground to coastal resort began in 1972, when Henry Finch spent just under $1 million to buy the north end of Isle of Palms from the Beach Company. The Isle of Palms Beach and Racquet Club was founded in 1977 when the tennis courts and first homes were built. The Wild Dunes Links Course would soon follow in 1980. It was one of the first courses built by renowned golf course architect, Tom Fazio. A year later, the vision of the Harbor Course was realized having been built over the Isle of Palms Airport. Both golf courses have been highly rated by national publications.
Henry Finch was criticized for naming the links course Wild Dunes, since it gave the impression of being unkept or disheveled. The name was perfect though for the natural beauty that Fazio incorporated into the course designed, leading Henry Finch to rename the entire community Wild Dunes. The “Gold Bug Tree”, an ancient oak tree from Edgar Allan Poe’s the Gold Bug short story, is believed to be located on the 14th hole of the Wild Dunes Links Course. Henry Finch was fascinated by Poe and many of the original Wild Dune’s facilities and restaurants were named after stories and characters from Poe’s writing. Edgar Allan Poe was stationed nearby at Fort Moultrie when he served in the US Army. Following the development of Wild Dunes, the Finch Family built the Wild Dunes Yacht Harbor, which is now owned by the City of Isle of Palms.
Though Wild Dunes has changed ownership a few times since the 1980’s, it has continued to grow and has continued to attract homeowners and visitors from across the country and around the world. It still collects accolades from Conde Nast Traveller and other national publications and organizations. Located just 12 miles from Historic Charleston, Wild Dunes is the preferred resort community in the Lowcountry. Lowcountry Vacation Properties is proud to offer many of the finest vacation rentals in Wild Dunes.