parks and tours
Parks and Tours in Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant is home to some of the best South Carolina parks. Connect with nature with over a dozen parks, trails, and a variety of tours.
discover adventure
Memories are only a few clicks away. Explore all Mount Pleasant has to offer below.
Palmetto Islands County Park
444 Needlerush Pkwy, Mount Pleasant, SC, USA
Looking for the best parks in South Carolina near Charleston? Palmetto Islands County Park in Mount Pleasant is a 943-acre outdoor retreat perfect for nature lovers and families. Nestled along the scenic marshes of Horlbeck Creek, the park features walking and biking trails, tidal creek kayaking, fishing spots, and shaded picnic areas. Kids can splash at the water playground while adults enjoy nature watching, boardwalk strolls, or climbing the observation tower for panoramic Lowcountry views. Just minutes from downtown Charleston, Palmetto Islands is one of the top things to do in Mount Pleasant for anyone who wants to explore nature, relax outdoors, and experience the beauty of the South Carolina coast. Pets must be leashed at all times. Leave nothing behind but pawprints. Follow the Keep It Pleasant Promise while exploring Palmetto Islands County Park!
Palmetto Islands County Park FAQs
Q: Where is Palmetto Islands County Park located?
A: Palmetto Islands County Park is in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, just a short drive from downtown Charleston. The entrance is off Long Point Road near Horlbeck Creek.
Q: What can you do at Palmetto Islands County Park?
A: Visitors can enjoy walking and biking trails, kayaking on tidal creeks, fishing, picnicking, nature watching, and a water playground for kids. There’s also an observation tower with sweeping Lowcountry views.
Q: Is Palmetto Islands County Park family-friendly?
A: Yes! The park is great for families, offering shaded picnic areas, a kid-friendly water playground, and plenty of easy trails for walking or biking together.
Q: How much does it cost to visit Palmetto Islands County Park?
A: Admission is typically a small per-vehicle fee, and Charleston County residents can purchase a Gold Pass for unlimited entry to all county parks.
Q: Why visit Palmetto Islands County Park near Charleston?
A: It’s one of the best outdoor escapes near Charleston, combining nature, recreation, and relaxation. The park highlights the beauty of South Carolina’s coast and is a top thing to do in Mount Pleasant.
Charleston Water Taxi
20 Patriots Point Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Travel between Mount Pleasant and historic downtown Charleston aboard the Charleston Water Taxi. The Charleston Water Taxi makes hourly trips to Patriots Point, Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina, downtown Charleston and Aquarium Wharf. You may even see a dolphin or two!
If you're staying in Mount Pleasant: Meet the Water Taxi at the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina, which is located at the end of Patriots Point Road. Follow the signs to the Water Taxi.
Cooper River Waterfront Path
Nearest: 71 Harry M. Hallman Jr. Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Tucked along the shoreline beside the Cooper River, the Cooper River Waterfront Path is one of Mount Pleasant’s most scenic places to explore. Beginning at the base of the Mount Pleasant Pier at Memorial Waterfront Park, this natural dirt-and-shell trail connects Memorial Waterfront Park to Patriots Point Road. Find the entrance from Memorial Waterfront Park by veering to the left before you enter the Mount Pleasant Pier. You will enter the path and be greeted by a boardwalk taking you over the marsh, with an amazing view from under the Cooper River Bridge.
This path offers social-media-worthy views of the Cooper River Bridge, the USS Yorktown, Downtown Charleston, and the Cooper River as it meets the Charleston Harbor. Leashed pets are welcome, remember to leave nothing behind but pawprints. Follow the Keep It Pleasant Promise while exploring the Cooper River Waterfront Path!
Path length: Approximately 0.8mi one way.
Fort Palmetto Park
2213 N Palmetto Fort Dr, Mount Pleasant, SC, USA
Featuring several walking trails totaling 1.5 miles and a piece of Civil War history. Pets must be leashed at all times. Leave nothing behind but pawprints. Follow the Keep It Pleasant Promise while exploring Fort Palmetto Park!
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Laurel Hill County Park
1400 Highway 41, Mount Pleasant, SC
This beautiful park site features several miles of running, walking, or biking trails that wind through a variety of landscapes. Pets must be leashed at all times. Leave nothing behind but pawprints. Follow the Keep It Pleasant Promise while exploring Laurel Hill County Park!
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Wonders’ Way on Cooper River Bridge
99 Harry M. Hallman Jr. Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC
Take in breathtaking views of Mount Pleasant, downtown Charleston, and the Charleston Harbor from Wonders’ Way - the dedicated walking and biking path along the Cooper River Bridge in Mount Pleasant. Stretching 2.7 miles (5.4 miles round trip), this pathway offers the perfect blend of exercise and sightseeing for walkers, bikers, and runners. With sea breezes, soaring diamond bridge towers, and panoramic views all around, it’s one of the most unforgettable ways to experience the beauty of the Lowcountry. Follow the Keep It Pleasant Promise while exploring Wonders' Way!
Access Wonders' Way from Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park.
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
40 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant, SC, USA
Take the Captain's Tour aboard the USS Yorktown to learn about what life was like for sailors at sea during World War II, Vietnam, and during the recovery of the Apollo 8 space capsule. Some tours go to areas that are usually off-limits for the general public.
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Hog Island Trail
5 Patriots Point Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Explore the scenic Hog Island Trail in Mount Pleasant, SC, a peaceful walking path that winds through nature and salt marshes at Patriots Point. This easy, family-friendly trail offers incredible views of the Charleston Harbor, Fort Sumter, and historic downtown Charleston. It’s one of the most picturesque walking trails near Charleston, perfect for nature watching, photography, or a relaxing stroll by the water. Trail visitors can also walk up a short ramp and steps to see the view from the observation deck. Hog Island Trail showcases the natural beauty that makes Mount Pleasant a true Lowcountry treasure! Follow the Keep It Pleasant Promise while exploring Hog Island & Trail!
The entrance to Hog Island Trail can be found on Patriots Point Road across from the golf course parking lot.
USS Laffey
40 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant, SC
If you’re searching for history in Charleston or unforgettable things to do near Charleston, a visit to the USS Laffey (DD-724) at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant is a must. Known as “The Ship That Would Not Die,” the USS Laffey is one of the most decorated destroyers of World War II and a powerful, hands-on way to experience American naval history just minutes from downtown Charleston.
Commissioned in 1944, the USS Laffey (DD-724) was a Sumner-class destroyer that saw intense combat in the Pacific Theater during World War II. On April 16, 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa, Laffey endured one of the most ferocious kamikaze attacks in U.S. Navy history. The ship was struck by multiple bombs and kamikaze aircraft in a single assault, yet remarkably, she survived. Despite devastating damage and heavy casualties, the crew kept her afloat, earning the ship its enduring nickname and a Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism. After World War II, Laffey continued to serve during the Cold War before being preserved as a museum ship, now standing as a floating tribute to the sailors who served aboard her.
Today, visitors can step directly onto this historic destroyer and explore:
⚓ Self-Guided Deck Tours - Walk the weather decks, stand beside massive 5-inch gun mounts, and imagine what life was like during wartime operations.
🛏️ Crew Living Quarters - See the tight sleeping bunks, mess areas, and command spaces that housed hundreds of sailors at sea.
🎖️ Combat Information & Bridge Areas - Explore the nerve center of the ship where critical battle decisions were made.
📚 Educational Exhibits - Learn about World War II naval warfare, the Pacific Theater, and the bravery of Laffey’s crew through interpretive displays and preserved artifacts.
The USS Laffey is included with admission to Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Visitors can also tour other historic vessels and exhibits during their visit, making it one of the most comprehensive maritime history experiences in the Southeast.
