Inside: A curated list of excellent parks and playgrounds in Charleston, SC, written by local parents.
If you’re looking for a fun, outdoor escape with the kids, here are the best playgrounds in Charleston, SC! These parks are free to visit (or very low-cost), encourage active play, and are perfect for picnic dates, meetups, or everyday adventures. Each one was chosen for its unique play features, scenic surroundings, and parent-approved perks. Get ready for some fabulous fun outdoors with the kids.
Favorite Charleston Playgrounds at a Glance
- James Island County Park (James Island): climbing wall, seasonal splash pad, pedal boats; $2 per person admission
- Hampton Park (downtown): shaded playground among gardens; restrooms on site
- Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park (Mt. Pleasant): updated playground under the Ravenel Bridge, plus a splash pad (April–October), courts and a dog park
- Ackerman Park (West Ashley): playground next to a dog park
- West Ashley Park (West Ashley): playground plus ball fields and trails
- North Charleston Riverfront Park (North Charleston): play area beside the Cooper River
- Etiwan Park (Daniel Island): classic playground ringed by an open field
- Bees Landing Recreation Center (West Ashley): playground, restrooms and sports fields
- Park Circle Playground (North Charleston): a 55,000-square-foot inclusive playground
- More we love: Alhambra Park (Mt. Pleasant), McMahon Playground (downtown) and Bridge Pointe Ecological Park (West Ashley)
Splash pads: Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park and James Island County Park. Admission fee: James Island County Park ($2 per person). Restrooms listed by the park operator: James Island County Park, Hampton Park, Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park, Ackerman Park, Bees Landing and Park Circle Playground.
1. James Island County Park
871 Riverland Drive, Charleston, SC
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James Island County Park continues to top Charleston’s favorite park lists for good reason. The spacious playground, climbing wall, and splash pad in the warmer months make it a hit with families.
Kids can explore three separate play areas, each suited to a different age group. Whether your toddler wants to toddle or your tween wants to climb, there’s space for everyone. The splash pad is conveniently located near the play area, making it easy to do both on hot days.
Parents appreciate the walking trails, pedal boat rentals, shady picnic areas, and even the option to rent cabins, tents, or campsites for a weekend getaway.
A few things to keep in mind!
- James Island County Park can get crowded, especially in the summer, and the small parking lot fills up quickly.
- The size of the park makes it a bit tough to spot your child from a distance, so bring a buddy if you have multiple little ones!
📝 Parent Tip: There is a small entrance fee—$2 per person, free for kids 2 and under and Gold Pass holders, according to Charleston County Parks—but it’s well worth it. Bathrooms are clean and plentiful, and the variety of attractions makes this park an all-day destination.
2. Hampton Park
30 Mary Murray Drive, Charleston, SC
Located in the historic heart of the city, Hampton Park offers a large, shaded playground surrounded by beautiful gardens and duck ponds. The soft play surface and well-maintained equipment make this a safe, relaxing spot for little ones to run, climb, and play.
The stroller-friendly loop path is perfect for babies and toddlers, and there are plenty of shady lawns and benches for parents to kick back.
📝 Parent Tip: Bring a blanket—this is one of the most scenic spots in town for a family picnic.
Pair it with McMahon Playground right across Cleveland Street.
McMahon Playground, Downtown Charleston
55 Cleveland Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Right across from Hampton Park, the City of Charleston’s McMahon Playground has a playground, basketball courts and a baseball field, plus a staffed playground building with indoor play options (843-724-7405).
Read our guide to Hampton Park and McMahon Playground.
3. Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park
99 Harry M. Hallman Jr Boulevard, Mt Pleasant, SC
One of the most iconic playgrounds in the Lowcountry sits right beneath the Ravenel Bridge—and it’s been completely updated. When our Rebecca visited with her son, she found a modern, inclusive playground with smooth turf surfacing, a fenced play area, and built-in shade from the bridge deck overhead, all with stunning water views.
The 1,250-foot pier is a hotspot for fishing and dolphin-watching, and the park’s big expansion is finished and open. The Town of Mount Pleasant’s Phase III project, which opened in June 2025, added:
- Splash pad
- Multipurpose court with room for two basketball and four pickleball courts
- Dog park
- Outdoor fitness area and walking track
- New restroom facility and parking improvements
☀️ Splash pad hours: April through October, 8 am to dusk. It’s closed Tuesdays from 8 am to noon for routine maintenance. There’s no lifeguard, and pets, bikes and skateboards aren’t allowed in the splash pad area. The park itself is open daily, 6 am to 11 pm.
See all the new features and photos in our guide to the updated Mt. Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park.
📝 Parent Tip: The shaded picnic tables and nearby bathrooms make it easy to spend a whole morning or afternoon here. Bonus if you’re planning a visit to nearby Patriots Point!
Check out more free and cheap things to do in Mount Pleasant, SC!
4. Ackerman Park
55 Sycamore Avenue, Charleston, SC
Ackerman Park is a hidden gem in West Ashley, featuring modern climbing equipment, slides, and spinning structures for a range of ages. There’s a large grassy field nearby for open play or tossing a ball, and the adjacent dog park makes it easy to bring your furry friends along.
📝 Parent Tip: The park is cozy and intimate, but there’s limited shade, so come prepared with water and sunscreen. Pack snacks!
5. West Ashley Park
3601 Mary Ader Ave, Charleston, SC
West Ashley Park offers a sprawling playground, complete with climbing webs, tunnels, and a toddler-friendly area. It’s a great place for multi-age families, especially when paired with the ball fields, fishing dock, and miles of walking trails.
📝 Parent Tip: There’s a shallow creek near the trails—don’t be surprised if your kiddo ends up splashing around! Bring a towel and spare clothes just in case.
6. North Charleston Riverfront Park Playground
1001 Everglades Ave, North Charleston, SC
With a colorful, inclusive design, this newer playground at Riverfront Park includes spin seats, musical elements, climbing towers, and ramps—making it accessible and fun for all kids.
Located next to the Cooper River and the park’s Performance Pavilion, this spot is great for making a day of it, especially during seasonal events or concerts.
📝 Parent Tip: Get there early for shade. The rubberized surface is stroller-friendly and gentle on little knees.
7. Etiwan Park on Daniel Island
453 Seven Farms Drive, Daniel Island, SC
This well-loved Daniel Island park features a classic playground with slides, swings, and climbing bars in a safe, visible layout. It’s surrounded by a large open field—perfect for soccer or a game of tag.
Added perks include:
- Bathrooms on site
- Sand volleyball courts
- Plentiful street parking around the circle
- Excellent visibility of children at all times
📝 Parent Tip: The coffee shops nearby make this an ideal park for a quick play session followed by a treat!
Want to know more about Daniel Island?
Check out our Day Riding the Trails at Daniel Island.
8. Bees Landing Recreation Center
1580 Ashley Gardens Boulevard, Charleston, SC
Though not brand-new, Bees Landing Recreation Center has a large inclusive playground, a toddler zone, and plenty of space to run. However, be cautious: some parents report exposed pipes or tripping hazards, so keep a close eye on young explorers.
That said, it offers great extras:
- Restrooms and picnic tables
- Baseball and large sports fields
- Very clear visibility for watching your child
- Ample parking in the rec center lot
📝 Parent Tip: It’s breezy thanks to the nearby marsh and trees—perfect for hot summer days, but bring a first aid kit just in case.
9. Park Circle Playground
4800 Park Circle, North Charleston, SC
Park Circle Playground in North Charleston is a 55,000 square foot play space where every child—regardless of ability—can play, climb, swing, and explore. There’s a ninja course, zip lines, slides, a fully fenced-in layout, and shaded seating for parents (who are encouraged to join in too!).
Check out our visit to Park Circle Playground.
We couldn’t even fit the whole playground in a single photo—it’s that big! 😮
✔️ Free to visit
✔️ Open daily; the City of North Charleston’s playground page lists hours as dawn to dusk [⚠️ VERIFY: the city’s project page lists 7 am–8 pm instead; confirm current posted hours before approving]
✔️ 20 minutes from downtown Charleston
More Greater Charleston Parks We Love
Looking for even more places to play around the Lowcountry? These parks have their own Kidding Around guides.
Alhambra Park, Mt. Pleasant
Old Village, Mt. Pleasant (across the street from Alhambra Hall, 131 Middle Street)
The Town of Mount Pleasant reopened Alhambra Park in August 2025 with a renovated inclusive playground certified as a National Demonstration Site for Inclusivity and Physical Activity. Our kids also loved the big climbing oaks and the harbor breezes. Dogs are welcome on a leash.
Read our full Alhambra Park guide.
Bridge Pointe Ecological Park, West Ashley
40 Two Loch Place, Charleston, SC 29414
This newer City of Charleston park mixes walking trails with a nature-inspired playground. When we visited, the kids loved the climbing tower, there were no public restrooms, and we parked on nearby neighborhood streets.
Read our Bridge Pointe Ecological Park guide.
Charleston Playground FAQ
Which Charleston-area playgrounds have a splash pad?
Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park has a splash pad that runs April through October, 8 am to dusk (closed Tuesdays 8 am to noon for maintenance). James Island County Park also has a seasonal splash pad. Check our guide to free splash pads in Charleston for more.
Do any of these parks charge admission?
James Island County Park charges $2 per person, with free entry for kids 2 and under and Gold Pass holders, according to Charleston County Parks.
What is the biggest inclusive playground near Charleston?
Park Circle Playground in North Charleston is a 55,000-square-foot inclusive playground, which the City of North Charleston calls the world’s largest inclusive playground.
Is the Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park expansion open?
Yes. The Town of Mount Pleasant’s Phase III expansion opened in June 2025 with a splash pad, a multipurpose court for basketball and pickleball, a dog park, an outdoor fitness area and a new restroom facility.
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