Learn the basics of rock climbing and belaying from our experienced staff. We offer courses and instruction for all ability levels. [Program listings...]

Climbing on rock is fun for climbers of all skills and abilities. You can transfer your Climbing Wall skills to real rock and learn new techniques while improving your existing skills of footwork, balance, agility, and more. [Additional info...]

Come meet other local women climbers in these fun activities and maybe even meet a new belay partner! Pre-registration is not required.

Learn the basics of rock climbing from our experienced staff while spending time together as a family! [Additional info...]

Increase your climbing skill and knowledge with clinics designed to teach you some of the intermediate and advanced skills all climbers should know. Let us help you improve your skill to keep you climbing strong and safe. [Program listings...]

With over two million shimmering lights, this three-mile driving tour brings more and more light displays year after year with nearly 600 shining displays this year. Beginning November 13, 2009 and continuing through January 3, 2010, gather your family and friends and come capture the magic of the holiday season at James Island County Park.

Stroll through Santa’s Village and see the meticulously crafted holiday sand sculpture constructed by hand with 50-tons of sand. View the sugary structures entered in the gingerbread house competition. Visit the gift shops, Santa’s Attic and Incredible Gift Shoppe, for hand-crafted goodies from local artisans, official 14-kt gold on brass collector series ornaments, toys, personalized gifts, angelic decorations and many more stocking stuffers.

Spoil your sweet tooth at Santa’s Sweet Shoppe where the aroma of specialty coffees, cappuccinos and fresh baked temptations of fudge and Christmas cookies fill the air. Make s’mores at the marshmallow roasting pits, take a snapshot with Santa and then hop aboard the train for an up-close look at the light displays.

Wander over to Winter Wonderland where a traditional 18-animal carousel ride whirls you around and around. Don’t miss the 4-by-8 foot holiday card designs created by local school students as part of a holiday art competition. These towering displays of Christmas themes are well worth a visit. [Additional info...]

All Charleston County parks and facilities (except the JICP Campground and Holiday Festival of Lights) will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. The closings allow employees to spend time with their families during the holiday season.

During November and December James Island County Park will close to all incoming visitors at 4:30p.m. Guests must exit the park by 5p.m. so staff may prepare for the Holiday Festival of Lights.

At the River Watch Cafe & Gift Shop you can get made-to-order sandwiches, ice cream, and fresh-baked pastries. [Additional info and menu items...]

ECO-BINGO provides a fun way for kids 12 and under to track their activities in our park system. When “Bingo” is achieved, participants can bring their card in for a prize. [Additional info...]

The dog park at Wannamaker is closed for routine maintenance every Monday morning until 10am.

The dog parks at James Island & Palmetto Islands are closed for routine maintenance every Wednesday morning. James Island is closed from 7am-9am and Palmetto Islands is closed from 7am-10am.

Alligators are a natural, normal, and important part of wetlands along the coast of SC. Usually docile creatures, these reptiles can become aggressive as an unintended result of being fed by people. Once the alligator associates people with food, it must be killed. Remember: A fed gator is a dead gator. For this reason, the SC Dept. of Natural Resources can fine up to $2000 and imprison anyone feeding, harassing, or approaching an alligator.

Exercising, sniffing, and playing off-leash are important to a dog’s sense of well-being. Your county park system is proud to provide these facilities for our pooch patrons in several county parks; however, once your pet leaves the dog park, it must be leashed at all times.

A leashed pet is not likely to:

• Stress songbirds & other wildlife.
• Be harmed or killed by poisonous plants, venomous snakes, ticks, or vehicles.
• Ruin the outing of another visitor that does not understand how lovable your pet is.

By bagging your pet’s waste and placing it in collection containers, you will:

• Avoid run-off contamination of nearby water from which dogs and wildlife
drink.
• Discourage weed and algae growth that will cloud the nearby water.
• Reduce diseases and parasites that can transmit to other pets and people.
• Protect wildlife.
• Keep the park a pleasant place to visit.

The dog park at Palmetto Islands County Park is closed for routine maintenance every Wednesday morning from 7am-10am.

The hill slide has been removed to expand the use of the grassy hill.