Charleston is such a great city for dog lovers to live in because there’s never a shortage of dog-friendly activities and places to go. When my husband and I moved here from DC, we were amazed at the number of dog parks and we couldn’t wait to let our dogs Indy and Anna run wild and make new friends! We’ve tried all of the Charleston dog parks out and love them each for different reasons. Here are our top 4 Charleston dog parks:
1. James Island County Park Dog Park:
The JICP dog park is a huge, grassy field that opens onto 3 sandy beaches and water. Dogs can swim and splash all they want and there’s a doggy water fountain and hoses to clean them off at the end. There is also a small-dog fenced area and a few picnic tables around the park. It can get quite hot for the humans in the summer, since there isn’t shade, and bring your bug spray if you’re heading there around dusk. Don’t forget your towel if your dog is a swimmer or else your car might get a bit wet!
2. Hazel Parker Playground Dog Park:
If your dog does better in a smaller area, head to the Hazel Parker Playground dog park downtown by Rainbow Row. The park has a fenced, gravel area that you can go to any time of the day, or wait until 5pm and the fully-fenced grassy field is open for off-leash play. They have a doggy water fountain and trees around the edges of the park. It’s also in the heart of downtown, so there’s typically a great breeze from the water and plenty of gorgeous Charleston sites within walking distance if you want to take a cool-down stroll. Pro Tip: Find street parking on the side of the park instead of parking in the parking lot. You are only allowed to park in the metered spaces – the rest are monitored insanely closely and you’re almost guaranteed to get a ticket.
3. Hampton Park Dog Run:
This dog park is one of the shadiest you’ll find around Charleston, which can be quite important in the summer heat (and the spring, fall and winter heat, too!). It’s smaller than the others, but still fully fenced and with a water fountain. Sadly the grass is a bit lacking at this park, but there’s a huge parking lot and plenty of room for games of chase and fetch.
4. Palmetto Islands County Park Dog Park:
If you’re in the Mount Pleasant area, check out the PICP dog park. Your dog will love the long fenced in grassy field where they can run like crazy! There’s a small-dog area at this park and a few picnic tables for the people to take a break at, too. This dog park lacks shade, but it’s perfect for your pup to get some energy and socializing and then you can take them for a stroll around the scenic park. Make sure to take a walk over to Nature Island while you’re in the park – you walk over a board walk to a super cool (literally) path through the trees with great marsh views.
Find Your Favorite Charleston Dog Park
We hope you and your dogs enjoy these Charleston dog parks as much as our crazy pups do! There are doggy water fountains at all of them, but make sure to bring a portable bowl and an extra water bottle to keep your dog hydrated as they play. And most importantly – watch your dog the whole time to ensure they are playing nicely and having a safe, fun time.
Charleston Dog Walker provides professional dog walking and pet sitting in your home that is customized to your pet’s needs. We’re so happy you found us (and we know your pet is, too!) and we would truly be honored to be your pet care provider. Give us a call at 843-580-2212 or contact us to get more information about how we can help your pet!
