Parks and trails in Charleston

Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. Facts on this page come from the City of Charleston’s facility pages, its dog parks page and its news releases.

The City of Charleston runs parks, playgrounds, fields and recreation centers, from pocket parks on the peninsula to riverfront land on James Island, Johns Island and Daniel Island. Here are the ones people ask about most, with addresses and hours as the city publishes them.

Who to call

• City Recreation Department: 843-724-7327, 823 Meeting St.
• Park problems, broken equipment, any city question: Citizen Services Desk, 843-724-7311, or report an issue online
• Programs and rentals: the city’s online registration

On the peninsula

• Hampton Park, 30 Mary Murray Drive. One of the city’s largest parks, with the most extensive floral displays of any city park, including an old rose collection. Trails, a playground, picnic tables and restrooms; the fitness trail is popular with Citadel students next door.
• Marion Square, 329 Meeting St. A 10-acre square with a fountain, a performance area and historic monuments. It hosts the Saturday farmers market and the city’s Christmas tree.
• High Battery, East Battery. The walk from Cheney Park, at Tradd Street and Murray Boulevard, to the end of the High Battery is 1.2 miles, looking out toward Fort Sumter. Stairs lead up to it from East Bay Street.
• Colonial Lake Park, Broad Street. Benches around the lake. The city lowers the lake before heavy rain as part of its flood plan.
• Brittlebank Park, Lockwood Drive next to Joseph P. Riley Jr. Ballpark. Playground, picnic tables and an off-leash dog area. The pier is temporarily closed for repair, and swimming and jumping off docks are not allowed.
• Ashley River Walk, Lockwood Drive. A riverside path with benches.
• Tiedemann Park Nature Center, 38 Elizabeth St. A playground, basketball court and a nature center with reptile and amphibian displays, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays; 843-965-4002.
• East Bay bike path, East Bay Street.

West Ashley

• West Ashley Park, 3601 Mary Ader Ave. Ball fields, a basketball court, a pavilion, picnic areas, a playground and trails. No swimming, diving or jumping off docks.
• Ackerman Park, 55 Sycamore Ave. Athletic field, restrooms, a fenced dog park and the Wednesday farmers market in season.

James Island

• Fort Pemberton Park, 221 Yates Ave., Riverland Terrace. The city’s newest park opened with a ribbon-cutting Sept. 17 after opening to the public in July. Its 8.7 acres along the Stono River take in a Civil War earthwork fort, a fishing dock, a kayak launch, walking paths and a picnic shelter, with separate accessible entrances to the fort and the waterfront. Open daily, the city says.
• Melton Peter Demetre Park, 640 Wampler Drive. The city’s only waterfront park on James Island, known locally as Sunrise Park, with views of the Battery, the Ravenel Bridge and Fort Johnson. Fishing, a pavilion and trails, open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
• Dill Tract, Riverland Drive.

Johns Island and Daniel Island

• Angel Oak Park, 3688 Angel Oak Road. The city-owned Angel Oak is estimated at 300 to 400 years old, 65 feet tall, with shade covering 17,000 square feet. No admission charge. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday; last entry 4:50 p.m., and the gift shop closes at 4:30 p.m. Phone 843-559-3496.
• Johns Island Park, 1727 Bozo Lane, near Maybank Highway and Main Road. Ball fields, disc golf, a dog park, tennis, volleyball, a playground and restrooms.
• Daniel Island Waterfront Park, 101 River Landing. A playground, riverfront walking trails and a fishing pier on the Wando River.
• Freedom Park, 985 Barfield St., Daniel Island. A playground and soccer field.

Dog parks

The city’s fenced dog parks are all open dawn to dusk:

Brittlebank Park, 185 Lockwood Drive, has an unfenced off-leash area. The city reminds owners that athletic fields are not dog parks.

Storm days

After heavy rain, waterfront parks and the streets around them can flood. Check the city’s WaterWise page before you go; see our hurricane prep guide.

What this means for you

• The Angel Oak is free; go before 4:50 p.m.
• Fort Pemberton Park is the newest place on James Island to fish or launch a kayak.
• Brittlebank’s pier is closed for repair for now.

Related guides: farmers markets, getting around Charleston and history and landmarks.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a fee to see the Angel Oak?

No. Angel Oak Park, 3688 Angel Oak Road on Johns Island, has no admission charge. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, with last entry at 4:50 p.m.

Where are the dog parks in Charleston?

The city has fenced dog parks at Ackerman Park, Grove Street, Bees Landing Recreation Center, James Island Recreation Center, South Adgers Wharf, Medway Park and Governor’s Park, plus an off-leash area at Brittlebank Park. All are open dawn to dusk.

What is the newest park in Charleston?

Fort Pemberton Park, 221 Yates Ave. on James Island, opened with a ribbon-cutting Sept. 17, 2026. It has a fishing dock, kayak launch, walking paths and a picnic shelter on 8.7 acres along the Stono River.

How long is the walk along the Battery in Charleston?

The city says the walk from Cheney Park, at Tradd Street and Murray Boulevard, to the end of the High Battery on East Bay Street is 1.2 miles.