North Charleston's best walks: Wannamaker County Park's paved and nature trails, the Riverfront Park paths and Noisette Creek bridge, and Park Circle's loop.

Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. Facts come from Charleston County Parks, the City of North Charleston’s parks list and Riverfront Park page, and Visit North Charleston. Dogs must be leashed on every trail; see our dog-friendly guide.

For distance, go to Wannamaker County Park; for views, go to Riverfront Park. Wannamaker, Charleston County’s 1,015-acre park off University Boulevard, has the city’s longest network of paved and nature trails and rents bikes by the hour. Riverfront Park’s paths follow the Cooper River past the old Navy base homes and cross Noisette Creek on an arched pedestrian bridge.

Who to call

  • Wannamaker County Park: 843-762-5585
  • North Charleston Parks and Recreation: 843-740-5809
  • Riverfront Park office: 843-308-4746

Trails at a glance

Trail Trailhead and parking Surface Good for
Wannamaker County Park 8888 University Blvd. (park entry fee) Paved and natural Long walks, biking, skating, rentals
Riverfront Park paths and Noisette Creek bridge Riverfront Park, 1001 Everglades Drive, by the Naval Base Memorial Paved paths River views, sculpture, history
Park Circle loop 4800 Park Circle 8-foot-wide sidewalk Short loops, strollers, wheelchairs
Wescott Park walking trail 9006 Dorchester Road Walking trail Exercise stations along the way

Wannamaker County Park

Charleston County’s park at 8888 University Blvd. spans more than 1,015 acres of woods and wetlands with “miles of paved and natural trails for walking, biking, and skating,” the county’s park page says. The park map (PDF) marks ten trail segments of 0.12 to 0.92 mile, roughly 4.7 miles in all.

  • Rentals: bikes $5 an hour; single kayaks $6 and doubles $7 an hour, from 10 a.m. Children 12 and under must be with an adult to rent a kayak.
  • Also in the park: two playgrounds, a dog park, an 18-hole disc golf course and picnic shelters.
  • Rules: the county’s Wannamaker park rules apply on the trails.

Riverfront Park and the Noisette Creek bridge

The city’s park on the Cooper River, part of the Charleston Naval Base until it closed in 1996, opened to the public in 2005. In 2022 the Noisette Creek Pedestrian Bridge linked it to green space on the north side of Noisette Creek, and Architectural Digest named the bridge one of the world’s most beautiful elevated walkways, according to Visit North Charleston.

Walk the paved paths along the river past outdoor sculpture, the Greater Charleston Naval Base Memorial, the Eternal Father of the Sea Chapel and the restored officers’ homes, then cross the bridge. The park is open year-round. Riverfront Park also holds the National Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition, which you can see on the same walk; details are on our free things to do page.

Park Circle loop

The inner circle at 4800 Park Circle is ringed by an 8-foot-wide sidewalk, with 5.5-foot paths inside the park, the city’s playground page says. Accessible parking spaces have no curbs, and restrooms are at the pavilion. It is the easiest loop in the city for strollers and wheelchairs, and the restaurants of East Montague Avenue are a short walk away.

Neighborhood walks

From the city’s parks list:

  • Wescott Park, 9006 Dorchester Road: a walking trail with outdoor exercise equipment, two playgrounds and dog parks.
  • Quarterman Park (the Duck Pond), 2001 Robertson Blvd.: a pond for fishing and bird watching.
  • Four Poles Park and Greenspace, 4034 Four Poles Park Drive: a fishing pier and disc golf.

Biking on city streets

For riding away from traffic, use Wannamaker’s paved trails or the Riverfront Park paths. Road work that affects bike routes is on our road construction page.

What this means for you

  • Wannamaker has the most miles; bring cash or a card for the entry fee and bike rental.
  • Riverfront Park is free and pairs a river walk with the bridge and memorial.
  • For a short, flat loop with a stroller or wheelchair, use Park Circle.

More: parks and trails, kids’ activities and free things to do.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I walk or bike in North Charleston?

The longest trail network is at Wannamaker County Park, 8888 University Blvd., with paved and nature trails. Riverfront Park on the Cooper River has riverside paths and the Noisette Creek Pedestrian Bridge, and Park Circle has a wide sidewalk loop around the playground.

How long are the trails at Wannamaker County Park?

The trail segments marked on Charleston County Parks’ map of Wannamaker run from about a tenth of a mile to just under a mile each and add up to roughly 4.7 miles of paved and nature trails.

Can I rent a bike at Wannamaker County Park?

Yes. Bikes rent for $5 an hour and kayaks from $6 an hour, starting at 10 a.m., according to Charleston County Parks. A park entry fee also applies.

When did the Noisette Creek bridge open?

The Noisette Creek Pedestrian Bridge was added to Riverfront Park in 2022, connecting the park to green space on the north side of Noisette Creek, according to Visit North Charleston.