North Charleston's parks include Riverfront Park on the Cooper River, the Park Circle inclusive playground and 1,015-acre Wannamaker County Park. Parks: 843-740-5809.

Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. Facts on this page come from North Charleston Parks and Recreation, the city’s Riverfront Park page and the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission.

North Charleston Parks and Recreation runs more than 40 parks, community centers, playgrounds and athletic sites across the city, from neighborhood playgrounds to Riverfront Park on the Cooper River. Charleston County’s Wannamaker County Park is also in the city.

Who to call

  • North Charleston Parks and Recreation: 843-740-5809, 2500 City Hall Lane, second floor
  • Riverfront Park rentals and events: 843-308-4746
  • North Charleston Aquatic Center: 854-800-7946, 8610 Patriot Blvd.
  • Charleston County Parks (Wannamaker County Park): 843-406-2002

The big three

Riverfront Park. The city’s signature park sits on the Cooper River among live oaks, next to the restored homes of the former Navy base’s officers. It opened to the public in 2005, and the Noisette Creek pedestrian bridge, added in 2022, links it to green space on the north side of the creek, according to the city’s visitor guide. The park holds the Greater Charleston Naval Base Memorial, the Eternal Father of the Sea Chapel and the Fourth of July fireworks. Weddings and events are booked through the Riverfront Park office.

Park Circle. The inner circle at 4800 Park Circle was rebuilt around what the city calls the world’s largest inclusive playground: 55,000 square feet of play space for ages 6 months to adults, an inclusive turf baseball field with accessible dugouts, an open-air pavilion and the Park Circle Community Building. It is open dawn to dusk daily. Shade structures cover 70% of the playground, the slides are metal for children with cochlear implants, and the restrooms include two adult-size changing stations. Grills and inflatables are not allowed.

Wannamaker County Park. Charleston County’s park at 8888 University Blvd. covers more than 1,015 acres of woods and wetlands, with miles of paved and natural trails for walking, biking and skating, two playgrounds, a play hill, an off-leash dog park with a Splash Paw fountain, sand volleyball and an 18-hole disc golf course. Bikes and kayaks are for rent from 10 a.m. The Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Waterpark and The Sprinkler splash pad are seasonal; The Sprinkler’s 2026 season ended Sept. 27. The dog park is closed until 10 a.m. Thursdays for maintenance. See the county’s park page for entry fees and hours.

City parks by what they have

From the city’s parks and facilities list:

Park Address Highlights
Wescott Park 9006 Dorchester Road walking trail, outdoor exercise equipment, two playgrounds, ball fields, big- and small-dog parks, volleyball and horseshoes
Collins Park 4155 Fellowship Road seasonal outdoor pool, ball fields, tennis and pickleball courts, playground, basketball
Hendricks Park 5250 Virginia Ave. picnic shelter, dock and public boat ramp
Four Poles Park and Greenspace 4034 Four Poles Park Drive fishing pier and disc golf
Quarterman Park (the Duck Pond) 2001 Robertson Blvd. pond for fishing and bird watching; use the park’s feeders only
Exchange Park 2025 Lackawanna Blvd. baseball field and Mixson Dog Park
Miner Crosby Community Center 3901 Paramount Drive tennis, playground, picnic shelter and Wando Woods Dog Park
Northwoods Gym and Community Center 8348 Greenridge Road seasonal outdoor pool, gym, ball fields, batting cages
Ingevity-Westrock Park 1240 Remount Road ball fields, playgrounds, picnic shelter
Chicora-Cherokee Community Park 3107 North Carolina Ave. a 2,300-square-foot neighborhood playground

Felix Pinckney Community Center, 4790 Hassell Ave., and Collins and Northwoods parks have seasonal outdoor pools. Year-round swimming is at the North Charleston Aquatic Center, 8610 Patriot Blvd., with a 50-meter, 10-lane pool and a therapeutic pool, open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, and at the North Charleston Sports Complex pool, 1455 Monitor St.

Trails and walking

  • Wannamaker County Park has miles of paved and natural trails.
  • Riverfront Park has riverside paths and the Noisette Creek pedestrian bridge.
  • Wescott Park has a walking trail with outdoor exercise equipment.
  • Park Circle has an 8-foot-wide sidewalk around the outside of the park.

Dog parks

  • Mixson Dog Park, Exchange Park, 2025 Lackawanna Blvd.
  • Wando Woods Dog Park, Miner Crosby Community Center, 3901 Paramount Drive
  • Wescott Park dog parks (big and small), 9006 Dorchester Road
  • Wannamaker County Park dog park, 8888 University Blvd. (county park entry applies)

Booking a shelter or building

Community centers and shelters can be rented through the city’s facility rental page. Riverfront Park venues are booked at 843-308-4746.

What this means for you

  • For a free afternoon with children of any ability, Park Circle is the place.
  • For long walks or a bike ride, head to Wannamaker County Park.
  • Boaters launch at Hendricks Park on Virginia Avenue.

More: farmers markets, things to do this month and the Fourth of July fireworks at Riverfront Park.

Frequently asked questions

What are the hours of the Park Circle playground?

The inclusive playground at Park Circle, 4800 Park Circle, is open daily from dawn to dusk.

Where are the dog parks in North Charleston?

The city runs Mixson Dog Park in Exchange Park, Wando Woods Dog Park at the Miner Crosby Community Center and big- and small-dog parks at Wescott Park. Charleston County’s Wannamaker County Park also has an off-leash dog park.

Is there a boat ramp in North Charleston?

Yes. Hendricks Park, 5250 Virginia Ave., has a picnic shelter, a dock and a public boat ramp, the city says.

What is there to do at Wannamaker County Park?

The 1,015-acre county park at 8888 University Blvd. has paved and natural trails, two playgrounds, a dog park, an 18-hole disc golf course, bike and kayak rentals and the seasonal Whirlin’ Waters waterpark.