Palmetto Islands County Parks

Mount Pleasant is a popular place to live because of its choice of schools, thriving business environment, and family-friendly activities. Residents can dine in waterfront restaurants, watch a Charleston Battery soccer game at Patriots Point and enjoy coffee shops and gyms. Learn more by clicking here.


The 943-acre Palmetto Islands County Park off Long Point Road is truly a park for everyone. Families can enjoy the off-leash dog park, observation tower, and Nature Island while runners and cyclists can take advantage of paved paths or natural trails.


Observation Tower

For a spectacular view of the park and Charleston Harbor, head up to the 50-foot observation tower. It’s a great spot for a family photo, especially if you bring your telephoto lens to capture osprey nests and other marsh wildlife.


Bike trails and boardwalks run throughout the 943-acre island park, which is built in a tropical setting along Mount Pleasant’s tidal creeks. Bring a stroller for little ones, and enjoy the sights, sounds, and scents of the Lowcountry’s natural beauty.


Kids of all ages love the Big Toy playground and will spend hours playing in the water at the Splash Island Waterpark. This kid-friendly attraction features curly water slides and an activity pool so everyone can cool off in the summer heat. The park also has picnic areas and a dog park for your family’s four-legged friends.


Biking Trails

The park has miles of paved biking trails that are perfect for bikers of all levels. The trails are designed in a tropical setting and include scenic boardwalks that provide views of the marsh, creeks for kayaking, and woodlands.


Located near Daniel Island Convention Center and Long Point subdivision, Palmetto Islands County Park features 943 acres of family-friendly fun in a natural setting. Guests enjoy the 50-foot observation tower, tidal creek fishing, nature trails, the Big Toy playground, and much more.


The park has several hiking trails that are very secluded and beautiful. The Marsh View Trail is one of the most popular trails. The park also has a dog park and open fields for soccer and baseball. It can be buggy during the summer. Discover more exciting places here.


Dog Park

Whether your dog prefers sand or grass, this off-leash park will give them the chance to run and play. The fenced park is set alongside a saltwater wetland and offers additional amenities like picnic shelters, kayak rentals, paved trails, spray fountains, and prime spots for saltwater fishing and crabbing.


This is one of the most spacious and well-equipped parks you’ll find around Charleston. It has separate areas for small and large dogs, plus a wooded maze to keep them entertained. It also features lots of shady spots, which can be a big help during the summer heat.



Mount Pleasant has taken big strides to be a more pet-friendly city. It’s not uncommon to see a four-legged friend on the trail or at a local restaurant.


Picnicking Areas

The park has multiple picnicking areas and grills that can be used for family outings or group events. It also has a big creative playground and an outdoor pool for cooling off in the summer. This is one of the best parks for kids in the area.



The paved trails at the park are suitable for all levels of fitness and experience. The park stretches over 943 acres, so you can spend a few hours exploring the different parts of the park.


Located in Mount Pleasant, this park is close to Splash Islands Water Park and Palmetto Island County Small Dog Park. It is also near Charleston International Airport. You can rent a campsite here at the Mount Pleasant/Charleston KOA Holiday campground to stay overnight after a long day of activities at the park.


Nature Island

Sometimes referred to as Needlerush Park this Mount Pleasant waterfront attraction right off Long Point is operated under the Charleston County Park system for just $2 a person (waived if you are a Gold Pass member). You can enjoy paved and nature trails, an observation tower, creeks, crabbing docks, playgrounds, picnic areas, a spray play fountain, and even a mini waterpark during warmer months.


The park is also home to a dog park with a separate area for little dogs, bike and peddle boat rentals, large fields, a big playground, a grass volleyball court, trash bag stations, a picnic shelter area, and more. Be sure to take a hike through the marsh island or climb the 50-foot observation tower for a panoramic view. You will love it! Find out more!


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The Battery

September 9, 2025
During your Charleston vacation, be sure to visit The Battery (or “Battery Park”) to stroll along its waterfront and admire the stately antebellum homes that accent this lower peninsula neighborhood. You’ll also find mossy live oaks, historic statues, and a massive gazebo that is the perfect location for wedding photos. You’ll be glad you read this ! White Point Garden While it may seem quiet and serene now, Charleston’s White Point Garden has a long history as the city’s most important military site. The 5.7-acre park, also known as Battery Park, is home to spectacular harbor views, historic homes, and a number of interesting military relics and monuments. Visitors can stroll the park’s lush grounds, adorned with tall oak and palmetto trees. They can also see a number of relics from the city’s turbulent past, including several real Revolutionary and Civil War-era cannons. A bronze bust atop a granite column marks the crew of the H.L. Hunley, the first submarine to successfully attack and sink another vessel in Charleston Harbor. The park’s center walkway is flanked by two Confederate columbiads (large cannons) from Fort Sumter and an 11-inch Dahlgren gun from the USS Keokuk that fired shells at the city during the Civil War. Atop a pedestal stands an 8-foot statue of General William Moultrie, sword in hand, surveying Charleston Harbor. The statue, by sculptor Willard Hirsch, is one of the City’s most recognizable. Historic Homes The Charleston Battery is home to a number of jaw-dropping historic homes. These mansions were built between 1820 and 1860 and still display stately pillars and dreamy balconies. A few of these magnificent antebellum houses operate as historic house museums. These homes allow visitors to explore the lives of wealthy Charleston families and enslaved people in the late 1800s. Self-guided app-based tours are available at these historic homes for a fee, but combo tickets offer discounted admission to multiple properties. Located just steps from White Point Garden, this magnificent historic home offers original heart pine flooring and a three-tier piazza with water views. The home features a kitchen house with a legal bed and breakfast license, which adds to its appeal. The property also has incredible curb appeal, with well-tended gardens and a stunning stone driveway. This home would be the perfect Charleston vacation rental. A buyer who is passionate about historic homes will find this property to be a true treasure. Explore more ! Historic Park The Battery Park begins at White Point Garden and extends to the west along a mile-long promenade and seawall that defines Charleston’s southern boundary. It’s a picturesque stretch of land that is one of the city’s most significant historic sites. A stroll across the Battery promenade will reveal a remarkable collection of historic homes accented by the Low Battery seawall. These aren’t cookie-cutter houses, either – they’re grand estates from the 17th and 18th centuries built with lavish opulence. The history of Charleston’s Low Battery is closely intertwined with the High Battery. After repairs were completed to the High Battery in 1860, leaders devised ambitious plans to expand the city’s southward development with a new promenade and seawall that extended White Point Garden further down the coast. The project was stalled by a series of setbacks, including two hurricanes and a deteriorating state of the waterfront seawall. Eventually, a wealthy local resident named Andrew Buist Murray donated funds to help the city complete the Low Battery seawall, which was later named in his honor. Free Parking CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) — More than a half-mile of free parking along Charleston’s Battery — one of the city’s must-see walking spots — is about to disappear. And with it, the hundreds of tourists, students, and day workers who fill the spaces in the midst of tall Palmettos and ancient Live Oaks will have to find alternatives. The change was the result of a petition from local homeowners who say their streets are getting overwhelmed with cars that don’t belong there. The city council this week approved converting the spots into residential-preference sticker parking, which means that vehicles can park there for longer than two hours if they have a residential permit displayed. If you’re visiting for a few weeks or more and don’t have private parking at your downtown accommodations, it may make sense to look into monthly parking at one of the city’s garages. Rates start at $125 per month, which would be a savings of $20 or more over daily rates in the heart of downtown. Continue reading the next article .
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Shem Creek Park

September 9, 2025
Shem Creek is home to some of the city’s best waterside restaurants and stunning sunsets. It’s also known for its charming Low Country atmosphere. You can take a rollicking bar tour or enjoy dining on the dockside at one of the restaurants. There’s also Shem Creek Park with a 2,200-foot boardwalk that offers panoramic views of the harbor. A great post ahead . Boardwalks One of the best things to do in Mount Pleasant is to walk along the boardwalks that are located next to Shem Creek. This is a great way to get a good workout while enjoying the beautiful scenery of Charleston Harbor and the surrounding inland marshes. The Shem Creek boardwalk is a popular spot for fishing, and you can also see shrimp boats coming and going from the port. You can even take a scenic boat tour of Shem Creek and Sullivan’s Island. The town of Mount Pleasant is full of Southern charm and history, but it’s also a modern place to live and visit. With water in virtually every direction, it’s easy to see why this coastal town is a contender for the prettiest down-home place in South Carolina. Restaurants In this classic Southern town, you can enjoy the best of Lowcountry cuisine. Many local favorites are located in the quaint Shem Creek district. It offers a relaxing retreat from the bustle of Charleston and provides gorgeous waterfront views. You can find anything from casual eateries and waterfront bars to more of a fine dining experience here. Dine on a delicious seafood feast at Water’s Edge or savor fried chicken and Cuban delicacies at Vickery’s. You can also enjoy a refreshing handcrafted cocktail at Tavern & Table. This waterfront park is also a favorite place for families to hang out. Kids can enjoy riding scooters on the boardwalk and watching the shrimp boats dock. It is a great spot for a picnic as well. Check it out here . Fishing The park’s long boardwalks allow visitors to explore tidal creeks, saltwater marshes, and piers. Depending on the time of day, visitors can spot dolphins playing around, shrimp boats coming in with their haul, or watch local fishermen cast their lines. Located at Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant, Shem Creek Park offers a quintessential Lowcountry experience. Stroll the winding boardwalks and enjoy a relaxing view of Shem Creek. Afterward, dine at one of the restaurants that overlook the water and take in nature’s nightly sky-blazing show. Birding The wetlands and oak-lined hammock islands at Shem Creek are home to a variety of bird species. Visitors to the park can also meet Henry, a Great White Egret that enjoys receiving free handouts from fishermen. He can be spotted all day long at Shem Creek. If you’re a fan of the TV show “Kildare,” you may recognize the dock scenes at Shem Creek from its real-life filming location. The actual Geechie Seafood restaurant owned by Pope’s (Jonathan Davis) dad Heyward is located at the creek’s entrance. Shem Creek is also a popular destination for kayaking and paddleboarding. Coastal Expeditions offers a guided kayak tour along Shem Creek that provides inspiring views of Charleston Harbor and the Holy City skyline. The tour can also include sightings of dolphins, pelicans, and manatees. Parking Shem Creek Park is home to a mix of restaurants, bars, public docks, shrimp boats, and beautiful sunsets. The area is known for its laid-back dining and low-country charm. Parking in the area can be challenging. There are several free parking options, but the spaces fill quickly during peak weekend times. When planning your next trip to Mount Pleasant, make sure to book a hotel that offers a good location near Shem Creek Park. With Hotwire’s amazing deals on hotels, you can save time and money on your next vacation to this popular destination. The extra money you save on your hotel will allow you to explore more of the local cuisine and attractions. Book your next getaway with Hotwire now! Next article .