Such a deal! In South Carolina, all beaches, as decreed by State Law, are public property. For those in the know, this means that a visit to the beach doesn't have to include paying a parking fee. In the Charleston area alone you'll find over 150 beach access paths throughout our barrier islands: Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island, Folly Beach or Edisto Beach. There is also a $5 parking lot at most locations for convenience, but it is easy to seek out one of the many access paths and park on the streetside. Be sure to follow parking rules (you'll usually be asked to park at least 4' from the pavement). For more information about Public Beach Access in South Carolina click below: "South Carolina Public Beach Access Guide"

Isle of Palms County Park 14th Avenue & Ocean Blvd. Isle of Palms, SC 29451 (843) 886-DUNE (3863) Isle of Palms County Park offers plentiful parking and easy beach access adjacent to the Front Beach area on Isle of Palms. Facilities include: dressing areas, outdoor showers, restrooms, boardwalks, picnic area, sand volleyball, children's play area, snack & drink vending, beach chair & umbrella rentals. Vehicle fee is $5 March through October (free November through February) Gold Pass Members get free admission.

Folly Beach County Park West End Folly Beach, SC (843) 588-2426 Folly Beach County Park offers over 2500 feet of ocean frontage and 200 feet along the river. Lifeguards are on duty seasonally along a 600 foot beach front designated swimming area. Also, be sure to visit the Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier in Downtown Folly Beach when you visit. Facilities include: dressing areas, outdoor showers, restrooms, boardwalks, picnic area, sand volleyball, children's play area, snack & drink vending, beach chair & umbrella rentals. Vehicle fee is $5 March through October (free November through February) Gold Pass Members get free admission.

Beachwalker County Park Beachwalker Drive Kiawah Island, SC 29455 (843) 768-2395 Beachwalker Park, located on Kiawah Island, offers a wide sandy front beach with a 450 foot designated swimming area. Lifeguards are on duty seasonally. Facilities include: Dressing areas, Outdoor showers, Restrooms, Boardwalks, Picnic area with grills, Snack bar (seasonal), Beach chair & umbrella rentals

Campground At James Island Map 871 Riverland Dr Charleston, SC Sports & Recreation, Camping, Parks & Beaches

Folly Beach County Park Map 1100 E Ashley Ave Folly Beach, SC Sports & Recreation, Camping, Parks & Beaches

Isle of Palms Recreation Department Map 24 28th Ave Isle Of Palms, SC Sports & Recreation, Camping, Parks & Beaches

Isle of Palms County Park Map 1 14th Ave Isle Of Palms, SC Sports & Recreation, Camping, Parks & Beaches

Edisto Beach State Park Map 8377 State Cabin Rd Edisto Island, SC Sports & Recreation, Camping, Parks & Beaches

Wannamaker County Park Map 8888 University Blvd North Charleston, SC Sports & Recreation, Camping, Parks & Beaches

Exchange Park Fairground Map 9850 Highway 78 Ladson, SC Sports & Recreation, Camping, Parks & Beaches

Angel Oak Park Map 3688 Angel Oak Rd Johns Island, SC

Sports & Recreation, Recreation Facilities, Camping, Parks & Beaches

MT Pleasant Recreation Department Map 100 Ann Edwards Ln Mt Pleasant, SC Sports & Recreation, Camping, Parks & Beaches

Charleston County Park Map 861 Riverland Dr Charleston, SC Sports & Recreation, Camping, Parks & Beaches

Palmetto Islands County Park Map 444 Needlerush Pkwy Mt Pleasant, SC Sports & Recreation, Camping, Parks & Beaches

Charleston Recreation Service Map 30 Mary Murray Dr Charleston, SC Sports & Recreation, Recreation Facilities, Camping, Parks & Beaches

James Island Recreation Cmplx Map 1088 Quail Dr Charleston, SC Sports & Recreation, Camping, Parks & Beaches

National Park Service Map 1214 Middle St Sullivans Island, SC Sports & Recreation, Camping, Parks & Beaches

Folly Beach Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) crawl onto the beach at Folly between May and September to lay eggs. Females nest between 2 and 5 times in one season and do not return for two to three years to repeat the nesting cycle. It is believed that they nest on the beach where they were hatched decades earlier. Therefore, the sustainability of nesting at Folly is dependent upon proper management of these nesting sights. Because Folly Beach is prone to severe erosion and the dune system is unstable, the nesting sites are precarious and require daily monitoring. Mother turtles come ashore at night to lay approximately 100 eggs. The eggs incubate for 45 to 60 days. Hatchlings emerge, usually at night when sand temperatures cool and the chance of predation is lessened. Before their protein-packed burst of energy is depleated, they must swim to the shelter of Gulf Stream sargassam floats thirty miles away. In recent years, loggerhead sea turtles nesting at Folly Beach have produced 3200 hatchlings from 38 nests (1998) 4084 hatchlings from 45 nests (1999) 3094 hatchlings from 41 nests (2000) Even with the best of nest conservation efforts, it is estimated that only about 1 of 1000 hatchlings will live to adult reproductive age.

SEA TURTLES -- South Carolina : Other Charleston Area Programs

Isle of Palms & Sullivans Island	Includes The Journal of Nesting Activity for the current year and a link to Mary Alice Monroe's beautiful Loggerhead Photo Journal.
Kiawah Island	A comprehensive chronicle of Kiawah's sea turtle protection program.
South Carolina Aquarium	Partnering with SC/DNR, the SC Aquarium in Charleston provides vital support for turtle rescue, rehab and release programs.
Folly Beach