Waterparks and Beach Parks
Start your vacation at one of Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission’s three area waterparks: Whirlin’ Waters, Splash Zone, or Splash Island. Each park offers visitors a full range of amenities — concessions, lockers, lounge chairs, showers and restrooms. Facilities are staffed with well-trained lifeguards to encourage a safe experience.
With unique activities for all ages, Whirlin’ Waters is within North Charleston Wannamaker County Park and is the largest waterpark in the Charleston area. Children enjoy the Otter Bay pool area and the Big Splash Tree House with racer slides, sprays, tons of interactive play elements, and a giant bucket that dumps 1,000 gallons of water. Toddlers will delight in the tot-friendly Lily Pad Lagoon play area, and adults will discover 870 feet of relaxation as they wind down the Rollin’ River lazy river. Other family favorites include the action-packed 27,000 square foot Big Kahuna wave pool, and the thrilling Riptide Run and Tubular Twister slides.
Splash Zone, located within James Island County Park, brings the Caribbean to Charleston with island-style play structures and slides. Spend the day riding 200-foot slides or floating endlessly down the lazy river. Mount Pleasant Palmetto Islands County Park is home to Splash Island, a waterpark tucked deep within tropical vegetation. Here, slides, sprays, geysers, waterfalls, and an awesome ten-minute water ride, the Cyclone, will provide hours of fun and recreation for toddlers to pre-teen age children.
Hitting the beach? For a hassle-free day, visit one of the three county park beach parks. With a designated swimming area for park visitors, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, and Kiawah Beachwalker County Parks offer the area’s only beaches patrolled by lifeguards, complete with parking and additional amenities.
Fishing Piers
Join the locals and catch some fun this summer at the Folly Beach Fishing Pier or the Mount Pleasant Pier. Both are prime locations for fantastic fishing, equipment rentals and a wide variety of summer activities.
The Folly Beach Fishing Pier is a landmark pier that is home to a variety of fishing tournaments. During the day, enjoy lifeguard-patrolled beach access next to the pier. After sunset, consider dancing the night away. Held monthly this summer, Moonlight Mixers events offer an evening of live beach music on the pier, and draw hundreds of visitors from throughout the region.
Located at the foot of the Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge, the new Mount Pleasant Pier is the longest pier in South Carolina and offers breathtaking views of Charleston Harbor. It offers not only amazing scenery and some of the area’s best fishing, but also delicious waterfront dining at the River Watch Café and Gift Shop. Monthly this summer, the Mount Pleasant Pier will bustle with beach music fun during the Shaggin’ on the Cooper special events.
Accommodations
Looking for an affordable alternative to the typical hotel stay? James Island County Park is your destination. Nestled within a 643-acre natural setting are fully-furnished vacation cottages, equipped with all the conveniences needed for a relaxing getaway. Cottage amenities include a fully-stocked kitchen, linens, phones, television and a screened porch overlooking the beautiful Stono River marsh. Each unit has three bedrooms and sleeps up to eight people. The more adventurous can sleep under the stars in the secluded camping area, a secure location available for primitive and tent camping. Or enjoy the park’s RV campground, complete with full hook-ups and 24-hour security.
Even though James Island County Park is conveniently located to downtown Charleston and the area’s beaches, visitors may want to stay inside the park to enjoy its endless activities. Enjoy the Splash Zone waterpark, then walk or bike the park’s miles of paved trails, fish or crab off its docks, or pedal the lake by boat. Or, dare to scale the park’s own 50-foot Climbing Wall, open to all ages and abilities. And on select evenings throughout the summer, enjoy live evening reggae concerts in the park.