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10 Best Off-Leash Dog Parks in Charleston, SC (2024 Update)

Patricia Dickson

By Patricia Dickson

maltipoo dog walking at the park

Charleston, SC, is known for its storied history, local legends, and southern hospitality. It’s also known to be very pet-friendly. However, if you’re looking for a dog park where you can take your dog off its leash, you may need to do a bit more research than usual. Luckily, we have 10 off-leash dog parks to recommend when you’re in historic Charleston.

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The 10 Off-Leash Dog Parks in Charleston, SC

1. Hampton Dog Park

🗺️ Address: 📍 30 Mary Murray Dr.
🕐 Open Times: 8 am to 7 pm, Weekends at 9 am
💲 Cost: $2 park fee
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
  • Has a water and waste bag station with bags
  • Running water, benches, and large off-leash area
  • Close to 60-acre Hampton Park
  • Has gorgeous flower gardens
  • Dogs must be on leashes to explore flower gardens

2. James Island County Park

🗺️ Address: 📍 871 Riverland Dr.
🕐 Open Times: Vary by season
💲 Cost: $2 park fee
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
  • Has a huge, grassy off-leash area for pets to run
  • Has an off-leash beach
  • Separate area provided for smaller dogs
  • Features a doggie hose off station
  • Pets must be leashed in the picnic areas, as well as the adjacent park

3. Bees Landing Recreation Complex

🗺️ Address: 📍 15 Ashley Garden Blvd.
🕐 Open Times: Varies
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
  • Has a doggie swimming pond
  • Features a doggie hose off station
  • Separate fenced sections for large, small, and wet dogs
  • Dog park is behind the baseball field
  • Benches and plenty of shade for pet parents provided

4. Cannon Park

🗺️ Address: 📍 131 Rutledge Ave.
🕐 Open Times: Varies
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
  • Has a large grassy area to run in
  • Not fenced, so make sure your pup listens to commands when off-leash
  • Has a small playground
  • Plenty of shade provided
  • Has a sidewalk for walking your dog

5. Hazel Parker Playground

🗺️ Address: 📍 70 E. Bay St.
🕐 Open Times: All day
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
  • Plenty of room for off-leash playing
  • Drinking fountains are provided for both pet owners and canines
  • Dogs and owners are friendly
  • Also called the East Bay Dog Park
  • Dog run is fenced

6. Ackerman Park

🗺️ Address: 📍 55 Sycamore Ave.
🕐 Open Times: All day
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
  • Plenty of shade to walk your dog
  • Doggie water fountains
  • Pets can run off-leash
  • People and dogs are friendly
  • Nice views

7. Palmetto Island County Dog Park

🗺️ Address: 📍 444 Needlerush Pkwy.
🕐 Open Times: 8 am to 7 pm, Weekends open at 9 am
💲 Cost: $2
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
  • Has a water station
  • Has a waste station with bags
  • Plenty of room to run
  • Must clean up your dog’s waste
  • Dogs and owners are friendly

8. Brittle Bank Park

🗺️ Address: 📍 0 Lockwood Dr.
🕐 Open Times: All day
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
  • Has a boat dock, fishing pier, and playground
  • Gorgeous views of the sunset
  • Paved paths and picnic areas available
  • Near the Ashley River
  • Some areas are not off-leash

9. Colonial Lake Park

🗺️ Address: 📍 46 Ashley Ave.
🕐 Open Times: All day
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
  • A historic neighborhood park
  • Situated in the peninsula of Charleston
  • Dogs are seen on leashes often
  • 5-mile loop
  • Has very little shade for walking

10. Bark Park

🗺️ Address: 📍 512 E. Erie Ave.
🕐 Open Times: All day
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
  • Registered dogs welcome
  • Near the water tower
  • Has benches
  • Fenced in area
  • Fire hydrants and waste disposal bags provided

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Conclusion

Whether you live in Charleston or are just passing through, you have to have a place to take your canine pal to run and burn off some of that pent-up energy. The dog parks on our list are friendly and off-leash for the most part and give you plenty of shade, water, and trails to take your pet on a journey that will tucker them out before you go home for the evening.


Featured Image Credit: Irsan Ianushis, Shutterstock

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