Tips for visiting Charleston County Beach Parks this spring and summer

Making the most of your beach trip with Charleston County Parks

Tips to ensure fun this spring and summer

(CHARLESTON COUNTY) – With summer just around the corner, many locals and tourists will soon flock to our local beaches. Charleston County Parks encourages all beachgoers to familiarize themselves with important tips and practices to have the most enjoyable and safe time at our Lowcountry beaches.

The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) operates Folly Beach County Park (FBCP), Isle of Palms County Park (IOPCP) and Kiawah Beachwalker Park (BWP), and also offers lifeguards seasonally on the beach near the Folly Beach Pier. To make the most of your beach outing, consider arriving at the beach parks early or later in the day during the summer. Mornings and late afternoons are great times to take in the scenic Carolina coastline. Weekends tend to be the busiest times for the beach parks, but nice weather weekdays and long holiday weekends have the potential to become very busy as well.

As large numbers of people head to the beach parks during warm spring and summer days, guests should create an alternate parking plan in case the park is full. Keep up to date on the latest beach traffic reports by downloading the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Government’s Beach Reach app, or by visiting the ABC News 4 Beach Information Page.

CCPRC also strongly encourages guests to carpool to our beach parks to help maximize parking availability. Have payment ready to help reduce wait times at park gates and be sure to only use one parking spot. 

For 2023, Charleston County Parks will conduct many mitigation efforts to help with traffic and parking at the beach parks. Efforts vary from park to park and include extra signage denoting when parks are full, off-duty sheriff deputies assisting with traffic control, increased staffing at the parks, a new entrance lane, and virtual queuing software.

Charleston County Parks’ beach parks all offer seasonally lifeguarded areas each summer. Even with highly trained lifeguard staff on hand, it is crucial for beach-goers to familiarize themselves with important beach and water safety tips. Guests should always observe and obey all lifeguard commands, warning flags and signs. For a schedule of when lifeguards are on duty, visit CharlestonCountyParks.com. 

Parents are strongly advised to watch their children at all times. Charleston County Parks recommends that parents teach their children to always look for the lifeguards or other park staff in the event that they get separated from their caregiver. Missing children should be reported to lifeguard or other park staff immediately so that they can aid in the search process. Taking a photo of your child when you arrive at the beach can help with the search in the event your child becomes lost. 

It is also essential that beach-goers learn to identify rip currents and how to escape from them. Rip currents are identified by choppy and different colored water, a break in a wave pattern or foam and seaweed moving out towards the sea. Charleston County Parks advises swimmers not to panic or swim against the current if you are caught in one. The best way to escape is to swim parallel to the shoreline and back to the shore in a diagonal direction to move away from the rip current. Wave to get the lifeguards’ attention so they can assist in a rescue. For more information on rip currents, visit https://www.usla.org/page/RIPCURRENTS.

When storms arise at the beach, lightning strikes are possible. If lightning is in the area, lifeguards may close the water for a period of time and all visitors should seek appropriate shelter.

For more information on Charleston County Parks beach parks and safety, call 843-795-4386 or visit CharlestonCountyParks.com.

The mission of CCPRC is to improve the quality of life in Charleston County by offering a diverse system of park facilities, programs and services. The large park system features over 11,000 acres of property and includes six regional parks, three beach parks, four seasonally-lifeguarded beach areas, three dog parks, two landmark fishing piers, three waterparks, 19 boat landings, a skate park, a historic plantation site, a climbing wall, a challenge course, an interpretive center, an equestrian center, cottages, a campground, a marina, as well as wedding, meeting and event facilities. CCPRC also offers a wide variety of recreational services – festivals, camps, classes, programs, and much more. For more information on CCPRC, call 843-795-4386, or visit www.charlestoncountyparks.com.