Beachwalker County Park

For those living in or visiting Charleston, South Carolina, a puptastic island adventure awaits! You and your pup will love the gorgeous beaches on Kiawah Island, just 25 miles south of Charleston.

While much of the island is private, there is a spot that is open to the public where you and your doggo can experience this pawtastic island beach! The Beachwalker County Park, also known as the Kiawah Beachwalker Park, is located on the west end of the island, right between the Kiawah River and the Atlantic Ocean. With a forested area pawfect for picnics in the middle of the park, the 10 miles of beach along the ocean is likely where your adventure pup wants to head!

This beach is woofderful! While dogs need stay leashed on the beaches along the Atlantic Ocean from March 16th to October 31st, they can run in off leash abandon from November 1st to March 15th. On the island, dogs can go off leash on the beaches from 7 AM to 7 PM, so for the Beachwalker County Park, that means open to close! Keep a leash in hand just in case its needed. Dogs can splash in the ocean waters, romp in the sand, and catch some rays next to you. Seasonally, there is a snack bar, umbrella and chair rentals, and outdoor showers available. Be sure to bring clean-up bags and stoop and scoop whenever necessary. Water to share is always a must on a beach adventure too!

If you get your fill of the sun and sand, check out the other areas of Beachwalker County Park. The picnic areas with grills are great for a meal or snack. There are drink vending machines, restrooms and changing stalls for the humans near the parking area. From here, you can catch pawesome views of the Kiawah River, which separates the island from the mainland. Or spend some time on the boardwalk from the parking area to the beach that carves its way through palmettos, yucca, oaks and pines.

To get to the beach from the mainland, take the Kiawah Island Parkway. You'll need to turn left before the Kiawah Island security gate where residents check in, on Beachwalker Drive. Head down this drive to get to the parking area. Entry fees range for cars, and can be $5 - $15, depending on the day and time of year. Parking is $20 for RVs and $40 for buses. Throughout the off season, hours vary by month, but during the peak season, from May to Labor Day, the park is open from 9 AM to 7 PM.

Check out the Beachwalker County Park on Kiawah Island with your pup for a truly furbulous day at the beach!