All four beaches on this list are within 30 miles of downtown Charleston. Sullivan's Island is the nearest at approximately 9 miles according to the Charleston Area CVB's current distance listing. Folly Beach is approximately 13 miles, Isle of Palms approximately 17 miles, and Kiawah Beachwalker Park approximately 27 miles. All distances are approximate from downtown and vary by starting point and route.
Folly Beach, approximately 13 miles from downtown, is known as 'The Edge of America' and has a developed beach-town atmosphere with restaurants, bars, and shops along Center Street. Sullivan's Island, approximately 9 miles from downtown, is primarily residential with a smaller commercial presence near the beach. Isle of Palms, approximately 17 miles from downtown, has a full-service county park with seasonal lifeguards, a playground, and equipment rentals. Kiawah Beachwalker Park, approximately 27 miles from downtown, is the only public beach access on Kiawah Island.
Quick Comparison
| Beach | Approx. Distance* | Alcohol | Dogs | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Folly Beach | ~13 miles | Prohibited | Prohibited 10am-6pm (May 1-Sep 30). Leash at all other times. Never on pier. FIDO off-leash exception available for registered dogs. | City lots: rates vary by lot/season — see ParkFollyBeach.org. County Park (8am): 5-25/day (225 spots). |
| Sullivan's Island | ~9 miles | Prohibited | Summer (May 1-Sep 30): off-leash 5-10am (Town license req'd); no dogs 10am-6pm; leash 6pm-5am. Off-season (Oct 1-Apr 30): on beach all day; off-leash 5am-noon; leash noon-5am. | Free. Designated right-of-way areas only. No motorized vehicles on beach paths. |
| Isle of Palms | ~17 miles | Prohibited. Glass bottles also prohibited. $100 fine. | Off-leash: Apr 1-Sep 14 at 5-9am; Sep 15-Mar 31 at 4pm-10am. Free IOP Police permit + rabies req'd. Leash at all other times. | County Park: 5-25/day (445 spots). Free CARTA Beach Reach Shuttle to County Park. Walk-ins/cyclists free. |
| Kiawah (Beachwalker Park) | ~27 miles | Prohibited except in designated areas with an approved application. | Leash required and under control at all times within Beachwalker Park. | 5-25/day (150 spots only). Virtual queue when full. Walk-ins/cyclists free. |
* Approximate distances from downtown Charleston per the Charleston Area CVB. Actual drive times vary by starting point, traffic, and route.
Folly Beach
Folly Beach, known as 'The Edge of America,' sits approximately 13 miles southwest of downtown Charleston. The island has a developed beach-town commercial strip along Center Street with restaurants, bars, and surf shops within walking distance of the main beach parking areas.
Getting There and Parking
Driving is the most common way to reach Folly Beach. City parking rates vary by lot and season; the City of Folly Beach parking portal has current rates for all city-operated lots. Parking enforcement runs from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Folly Beach County Park, at the west end of the island, is managed by Charleston County Parks and opens at 8 a.m. The lot has 225 spaces and typically reaches capacity by mid-morning on weekends and holidays. Current seasonal parking fees:
| Period | Parking Fee |
|---|---|
| January, February | $5 per vehicle |
| March | $10 per vehicle |
| April | $15 per vehicle |
| May through Labor Day | $15 weekdays / $25 weekends and holidays |
| September (after Labor Day) | $15 per vehicle |
| October | $10 per vehicle |
| November, December | $5 per vehicle |
Walk-ins and cyclists enter the county park for free.
Beach Rules
The following rules are from the official City of Folly Beach.
Alcohol: Prohibited on the beach at all times.
Open fires and fireworks: Prohibited at all times.
Dogs: Prohibited from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., May 1 through September 30. Dogs must be on a leash at all other times, subject to the city's FIDO off-leash exception for registered dogs. Dogs are not permitted on the pier at any time.
Glass containers: Prohibited.
Sullivan's Island
Sullivan's Island is approximately 9 miles from downtown Charleston, making it the nearest of these four beaches. It is primarily residential, with no large commercial strip at the beach. A small number of local restaurants and shops are available on the island.
Fort Moultrie National Historical Park is located at 1214 Middle Street on Sullivan's Island. The National Park Service confirms the current entry fee at $10 per adult (age 16 and over); children under 16 enter free. Fort hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, closed Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1. Grounds, parking, and restrooms are open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Getting There and Parking
Free parking is available in designated public right-of-way areas, subject to posted restrictions. Visitors must park with all wheels off the pavement. Blocking streets or beach paths is prohibited. Motorized vehicles, including golf carts and electric bikes, are not permitted on beach paths or on the beach.
Beach Rules
The following rules are from the official Town of Sullivan's Island.
Alcohol: Prohibited on all streets, boardwalks, and beaches.
Smoking: Prohibited on beaches and boardwalks.
Single-use plastic, polystyrene, and glass containers: Prohibited.
Dog rules vary by season:
Summer (May 1 through September 30):
Off-leash from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. with a current Town dog license and rabies vaccination certificate.
No dogs on the beach from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dogs on a leash permitted from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Off-season (October 1 through April 30):
Dogs may be on the beach all day.
Off-leash from 5 a.m. to noon with a current Town dog license and rabies vaccination certificate.
Dogs on a leash from noon to 5 a.m.
Town dog license fees: $25 for residents, $50 for non-residents. A current rabies vaccination certificate is required.
Beach fires:
Permitted October 1 through April 30, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings only. Maximum two fires per evening. Fires must be located at Station 22, 23, or 25, and are limited to 3 feet in diameter and no higher than 3 feet.
Permit required. Resident fee: $150 plus a $250 deposit. Non-resident fee: $300 plus a $500 deposit. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and must call the Sullivan's Island Fire Department at (843) 883-9944 on the day of the fire for verification.
Isle of Palms
Isle of Palms sits approximately 17 miles northeast of downtown Charleston and has six miles of Atlantic-facing beach. The island has a full-service county park at the north end with lifeguards, a playground, volleyball, and equipment rentals. A free public shuttle also connects downtown and surrounding areas to the county park during beach season.
Getting There and Parking
The free CARTA Beach Reach Shuttle serves Isle of Palms County Park during beach season. Check current schedules and stop locations at CARTA's website before your trip.
Isle of Palms County Park, operated by Charleston County Parks, has 445 parking spots. Parking fees run $5 per day in winter to $25 per day on peak summer weekends and holidays. Walk-ins and cyclists enter free.
Park hours by season (gate closes to incoming traffic 30 minutes before closing):
January and February: 10 a.m. to sunset
March and April: 9 a.m. to sunset
May through Labor Day: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
September and October: 9 a.m. to sunset
November and December: 10 a.m. to sunset
Beach chair rentals are $15 per day; umbrella rentals are $25 per day. Lifeguards are on duty on weekends through the end of September plus Labor Day, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The park includes a playground, sand volleyball court, picnic areas with grills, and restrooms. The lot typically reaches capacity on weekends and holidays; arriving early is advisable.
Beach Rules
The following rules are from the official City of Isle of Palms.
Alcohol: Glass bottles and alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Violation carries a $100 fine per offense.
Open fires and fireworks: Strictly prohibited.
Overnight sleeping: Prohibited on the beach.
Dogs: Off-leash during designated hours with a free dog permit from the IOP Police Department at (843) 886-6522 (rabies vaccination required). Off-leash hours: April 1-September 14 from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m.; September 15-March 31 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Leash required at all other times.
Kiawah Island: Beachwalker Park
Kiawah Island sits approximately 27 miles southwest of downtown Charleston. Beachwalker Park is the only public beach access on Kiawah Island, operated by Charleston County Parks.
Getting There and Parking
Beachwalker Park has 150 parking spots. The lot can fill by around 10:30 a.m. on busy summer days. Virtual queuing is available when the lot reaches capacity. Parking fees run from $5 per day in the off-season to $25 per day on peak summer weekends and holidays. Walk-ins and cyclists enter free.
Current park hours by season:
January through March: 10 a.m. to sunset
April: 9 a.m. to sunset
May through Labor Day: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
September: 9 a.m. to sunset
October through December: 10 a.m. to sunset
What to Know
Alcohol: Prohibited except in designated areas with an approved application. Contact Charleston County Parks for the application process.
Dogs: Must be leashed and under control at all times within Beachwalker Park.
Lifeguards are on duty seasonally. Beach equipment rentals and picnic facilities are available at the park.
With only 150 parking spots, this is the most capacity-constrained park on this list. Arrive early on summer weekends or use the virtual queue if the lot is full.
Planning Your Beach Day from Downtown Charleston
Driving is the most flexible option for visiting these beaches. Public transportation is also available for some destinations: the free CARTA Beach Reach Shuttle connects to Isle of Palms County Park during beach season. For Folly Beach and Sullivan's Island, check the current CARTA route listings to confirm available service before your trip.
Beach crowds increase from spring break through September, with weekends and holidays generally the busiest days. All three county beach parks can reach capacity during busy periods, often by mid-morning. Folly Beach County Park and Isle of Palms County Park commonly reach capacity around 10:30 a.m. on weekends and holidays.
Sullivan's Island is the only beach with consistently free parking, but the available right-of-way spaces are limited. No golf carts or electric bikes on beach paths or the beach itself.
If you plan to bring a dog, all four beaches have restrictions and most require permits. Isle of Palms permits are free and available from the IOP Police Department at (843) 886-6522. Sullivan's Island requires a Town dog license ($25 residents / $50 non-residents) with a current rabies vaccination certificate. Check current seasonal hours for each beach's off-leash windows before your trip, as the schedules differ significantly.
Staying Near Downtown Charleston
257 Rutledge is a collection of four private-entry suites, five apartments with full kitchens, and a standalone three-bedroom home, set in three restored historic homes circa 1890 in Charleston's Cannonborough-Elliottborough neighborhood. The property is near the Historic District, within easy reach of King Street, and within driving distance of all four beaches on this list. Guest parking is available to guests staying at the property. The standalone home has one confirmed free off-street parking space; guests bringing additional vehicles should confirm parking arrangements with 257 Rutledge before booking. A shared heated saltwater pool is available to all guests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sullivan's Island is the closest of these four beaches according to the Charleston Area CVB, at approximately 9 miles from downtown. Folly Beach is approximately 13 miles, Isle of Palms approximately 17 miles, and Kiawah Beachwalker Park approximately 27 miles. Distances vary by starting point and route.
Folly Beach is approximately 13 miles from downtown Charleston per the Charleston Area CVB. City parking rates vary by lot and season; check ParkFollyBeach.org for current rates. Folly Beach County Park, at the west end of the island, has 225 parking spots at $5 to $25 per day depending on season, opening at 8 a.m.
Yes, with restrictions that vary by beach and season. Folly Beach: no dogs 10am-6pm from May 1-September 30; leash required otherwise; never on the pier; a FIDO off-leash exception is available for registered dogs. Sullivan's Island (summer, May 1-Sept 30): off-leash 5-10am with Town license; no dogs 10am-6pm; leash 6pm-5am. Sullivan's Island (off-season, Oct 1-Apr 30): dogs on beach all day; off-leash 5am-noon; leash noon-5am. Isle of Palms: off-leash during designated morning hours with a free permit from IOP Police at (843) 886-6522; leash required all other times. Kiawah Beachwalker Park: leash required and under control at all times within the park.
Alcohol rules vary by location. Folly Beach and Sullivan's Island prohibit alcoholic beverages on the beach. Isle of Palms prohibits both alcoholic beverages and glass bottles, with a $100 fine per offense. At Kiawah Beachwalker Park, alcohol is prohibited except in designated areas with an approved application.
Isle of Palms County Park has seasonal lifeguards, a playground, sand volleyball, picnic areas with grills, and beach equipment rentals (chairs $15/day, umbrellas $25/day), with 445 parking spots. Folly Beach County Park also has seasonal lifeguards and equipment rentals, with 225 spots. Kiawah Beachwalker Park has seasonal lifeguards, equipment rentals, and picnic areas, but only 150 parking spots.
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