Lawton Stables is a full service Equestrian Center located within Sea Pines Plantation on beautiful Hilton Head Island. Hilton Head visitors have described the area as "The Gem of the Lowcountry". Lawton Stables is nestled on 24 acres within the Plantation and has easy, enviable access to the beautiful scenic Sea Pines Forest Preserve. The Preserve covers 606 acres of natural beauty. We are able to offer you a glimpse of its beauty during one of our hour long escorted Western style trail rides which depart several times daily. We offer you the chance to meander through the lush acres of the Preserve on horseback to really get a feel for the true untouched Lowcountry.

We also offer pony rides for our younger visitors, and all of the family will enjoy our collection of small animals. Being an Equestrian Center, we also offer horse boarding facilities on the property and English riding lessons in one of our two newly completed training arenas. Here at Lawton, there is something for all of the family to enjoy!

In January of 1867, Eliza Summers and Julia Benedict, both teachers in their early twenties, left New York bound for South Carolina. When they arrived on Hilton Head Island, they settled on Lawton Plantation in what is now Sea Pines Plantation. At that time, there was the main house and 50 cabins for freed slaves. Eliza and Julia taught various skills that the freed slaves needed to lead productive and independent lives. The plantation house doubled as a school house. The courageous ladies endured hardship, rattlesnakes, and mosquitoes during their adventure. Unfortunately, nothing of their plantation house remains, but the spirit of adventure that Eliza and Julia displayed still lives on at Lawton Stables!