Just behind bustling Longpoint Road in Mount Pleasant lies a 943-acre park bordering Boone Hall Creek that showcases the Lowcountry’s stunning natural beauty. Palmetto Islands County Park offers miles of trails to discover; there is something for everyone in its lush, tropical setting.
Pack a picnic and enjoy the best waterfront dining in town! Under a canopy of Palmetto trees, visitors can choose a private cove on the creek, complete with a picnic table and grill. Dine alfresco, surrounded by native plants and a gentle breeze, while fish jump and herons swoop in to inspect the ever-changing marsh grasses.
Kayaks, bicycles, and stand-up paddle boards are available to rent, or you can try your luck at fishing to snag a Speckled Trout or Sheepshead from one of the piers. Paved paths and boardwalks parallel more rustic, dirt trails for a variety of ways to explore. A playground with unique climbing features, known as “Big Toy” is a popular stop for the younger crowd.
During the summer months, Palmetto Islands operates a water park with attractions that include a Lazy River and slides of all sizes.
Don’t miss a peaceful walk through Nature Island, located at the back of the park. You’ll travel by boardwalk across a massive stretch of marsh, and will then circle the island to take in picturesque views of sweeping Live Oaks, Cedar trees, and Palmettos lining the banks of the creek. Pro tip: leave your flip flops in the car if Nature Island is on the agenda! Hundreds of fiddler crabs call this area home, and they’ve been known to scurry across a toe or two!
Fans of the Netflix series “Outer Banks” will want to snap a photo at the Observation Tower, where jawdropping scenes from season one were filmed. Climb 50 feet up to the top for a bird’s eye view of Mount Pleasant and its tidal creeks.
Admission to the park is $2 and can be applied for a year-round membership that allows access to all of the Charleston County parks.
