24 Hilton Head Island Parks and Playgrounds
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Hilton Head Island is the ultimate family vacation destination. With gorgeous weather most of the year, even if it’s not “beach weather” per se, it’s almost always outside weather. One of the absolute best things about visiting Hilton Head is the abundance of things to do outside. The weather is incredible most of the year, and there are community parks and playgrounds all over the island with free onsite parking.
I’ve listed 24 playgrounds, parks, and outdoor spaces for you, with links to Trip Advisor or local Hilton Head Island government websites to see photos of each one. From playgrounds to beach parks, with a touch of sports arena, nature refuge, and even a xeriscape garden (what?!), the options are endless for outdoor adventures. All that’s left for you to do is plan your family’s fun!
Best Parks/Playgrounds for Kids
Lowcountry Celebration Park
Thus far, this is my family’s favorite of the Hilton Head Island parks. For more information check out my post dedicated to Lowcountry Celebration Park. The Adventure Ship Playground offers an amazing playscape that we returned to multiple times during our last trip because the kids loved it so much.
There is an adjacent playscape for smaller kids, perfect if your little ones span the age range, and an Adventure Trail to discover fossils, all within the fenced playscape area. The public restrooms are located at the playground, and clean.
In addition to Adventure Playground, Lowcountry Celebration Park offers picnic areas, a walking trail, water features, sculptures, and family-friendly events throughout the year. The Sandbox Children’s Museum is also located at the park, offering indoor activity options at this particular park. We biked from our hotel and easily found parking at the many bike corrals.
Gregg Russell Harbour Town Playground
Gregg Russell Harbour Town Playground is my family’s second favorite playground in Hilton Head! This playscape is conveniently tucked into Harbourtown, near the parking lots. It is the perfect place for kids to play while waiting for a restaurant table or while Mom gets some much-needed shopping in!
The playground features an incredible tree house built into a massive oak tree in the center of the park. There are also swings, slides, and playground equipment, all fenced in for safety and offering lots of shade.
Traditional Parks and Playgrounds
Chaplin Community Park
This is Hilton Head Island’s largest park, spanning 111 acres. Chaplin Community Park offers 6 public tennis courts, basketball courts, a baseball diamond, and multi-purpose fields in addition to more traditional park attractions. There are trails for walking, picnic pavilions, and a shaded playground. The park offers multiple restrooms and the town’s only dog park. There is free onsite parking.
Chaplin Community Park also offers Burke’s Beach Access with seasonal lifeguards. It is a long walk to the beach along a path, so bring your cart or wagon to haul your worldly belongings for a beach day with the kids!
Crossings Park
At 74 acres, Crossings Park is another large park on the Island. It boasts the Rowley Ballfield Complex made up of 3 baseball fields. There is also a small playground, a marked dirt trail, access to Mullen Meadow, and a picnic shelter. There is also a lighted soccer field and public restrooms. During games, a concession stand is open on-site for snacks and drinks.
Greens Shell Park
Stuck in traffic on 278 heading onto Hilton Head Island? You’re in luck! Greens Shell Park is the first park you will encounter and a great spot to stop and stretch your legs. Named for the adjacent Greens Shell Mound archaeological site, this park is a treasure trove for kids!
Greens Shell has 2 playgrounds to accommodate different ages, grills, a picnic pavilion, a basketball court, restrooms, and an observation deck overlooking the water. Its location makes it a great spot to watch the sunset and kick off your vacation on the way into town.
Honey Horn Park
Honey Horn Park is the 69-acre home of the Coastal Discovery Museum. You will also find South Carolina’s oldest southern red cedar tree at this site, dating back to 1595! There are 3 boardwalks crossing Jarvis Creek and the 3/4 mile Around the Horn Trail. All this in addition to the Coastal Discovery Museum itself makes Honey Horn Park quite the attraction.
Jarvis Creek Park
A true waterfront park, Jarvis Creek Park is a 53-acre space offering a fishing dock, fishing pier, and lake access. Its 11-acre lake is stocked with Blue Gill and Largemouth Bass and is part of a catch-and-release program at the park. *Please note that there are known alligators in this water, so be careful, especially with kids.
There are 2 playgrounds and a separate swing set in addition to open fields, picnic pavilions, and restrooms. A paved one-mile loop walking trail around a lake, with wooden bridges over the marsh offers a scenic walking spot.
Jarvis Creek Park is the home of the unique PRO (Public Recreation Outreach) Wellness Project. A fitness trail offering more than 10 pieces of outdoor cross-training equipment, the PRO trail is free and open to the public. There is also a covered fitness pavilion for exercise classes or personal use at Jarvis Creek Park.
Shelter Cove Community Park
Located in Shelter Cove Towne Center, the new Shelter Cove Community Park offers a playground, picnic spots, a performance pavilion, and walking paths with an observation deck overlooking Broad Creek. There is a gorgeous water fountain, perfect for photo ops of the kids. The park is small at 3.5 acres, but amid the exciting Shelter Cove area, with lots to do and see. The park hosts events year-round, so be sure to check out their calendar. Shelter Cove Community Park does offer restrooms and a bike corral. Parking at Shelter Cove is free and there are multiple lots in the area.
We love the Shelter Cove area and I do have a dedicated blog post Exploring Shelter Cove, Hilton Head Island with Kids, if you would like to learn more about the area and play your visit.
Squire Pope Community Park
This scenic park showcases the beauty of South Carolina with moss-covered oaks, a fire pit with benches, a playground with swings, and a picnic pavilion with water views. There is an access point for Skull Creek at the park, and you may enter non-motorized boats like kayaks into the creek here. Speaking of water, while not a beach park, Squire Pope has a fishing pier and floating dock. It is also home to a Rowing and Sailing Center. Finally, Squire Pope Community Park offers grills, a picnic pavilion, and restrooms.
Sports-Focused Parks
Barker Field and Barker Field Extension
Sporting fields galore, and more! Barker Field is a great place to watch a ball game with 3 baseball/softball fields and open multipurpose fields. The park extends across Mitchelville Road, hence Barker Field Extension. On the other side are additional restrooms, a boardwalk to an observation overlooking Port Royal Sound, and another boardwalk to Fish Haul Beach Park (talk about one-stop shopping!). Finally, there is a playground here and free parking too.
Bristol Sports Arena
Located next to the more traditional Crossings Park, Bristol Sports Arena offers non-traditional sports a place to play. There is an outdoor skate park and a hybrid ink-line hockey rink/basketball court with bleachers. There are restrooms at this park.
Hilton Head Park also known as Old Schoolhouse Park
Hilton Head Park enables you to play all kinds of sports. There are 6 pickle ball courts, a basketball court, and open fields for soccer football, or just kids running and playing. This park offers free parking.
Hilton Head Island Beach Parks
Coligny Beach Park
Coligny Beach Park caters to beachgoers! It has outdoor showers, changing rooms, restrooms, and chair/umbrella rentals. The beach itself has seasonal lifeguards for your safety. Conveniently located across from the shopping and sites of Coligny Plaza with parking adjacent to Lowcountry Celebration Park, Coligny Beach Park also has shaded gazebos with swings and wooden chairs to sit and relax. There is a shuttle to additional parking as the Coligny Beach Parking Lot fills up quickly!
Driessen Beach Park
Another convenient beach park with over 200 parking spaces, Driessen Beach Park has a brand new boardwalk that opened in 2024 to check out. The park also has a picnic table pavilion, grill, shaded playground, restrooms, vending machines, and outdoor showers. Be aware parking here is metered at 25 cents per 30 minutes, unlike many parks and playgrounds offering free parking.
Fish Haul Beach Park
A calm getaway, Fish Haul Beach Park is great for birdwatching. It is a quiet beach park with free parking, restrooms, and outdoor showers. There is beach matting for wheelchairs at this beach access point.
Folly Field Beach Park
Folly Field Beach Park is a minimalist beach park, located at the northeastern edge of Hilton Head Island. It has restrooms, rinsing showers, vending machines, and limited metered parking spots. There is beach matting and a boardwalk for wheelchair access. The beach itself offers chair and umbrella rentals and seasonal lifeguards.
Islanders Beach Park
I truly think you could spend a beautiful day at Islanders Beach Park. The park offers metered and permitted parking for those with annual beach passes. There are also bike racks. The beach matting and scenic boardwalk through the trees to the beach offer increased accessibility at this beach park.
A unique feature of Islanders Beach Park is that there are free beach wheelchair rentals available, in addition to beach rentals and seasonal lifeguards.
If you (or your little ones) need a break from the beach, there is no need to leave this beach park. There is a shaded playground, restrooms, grills, and a picnic pavilion for your lunch and/or dinner needs.
Mitchelville Beach Park
Mitchelville Beach Park is a fuss-free beach access point with free parking and a large parking lot. Drive down a dirt road and take the sand path to the beach. There are no bridges, boardwalks, or beach matting, something to keep in mind in terms of accessibility. There are picnic tables, but no pavilion.
Non-Traditional Parks
Compass Rose Park
I think of Compass Rose Park as more of a public art gallery than a park, which makes it even more special. This park showcases granite statues and water features with a reflection pool. There is a covered plaza to rest or enjoy a snack and bench swings to relax and take in the art pieces. There is free parking as well.
Island Recreation Center
While not technically a park, Island Rec Center frequently pops up in Hilton Head Island park searches. It does offer a gym, walking track, well area, outdoor pool, basketball courts, playgrounds, and a community room all for member use. Island Rec Center also manages picnic pavilion and field rentals for many of the community parks.
Mitchelville Freedom Park
This historical park is not your typical playground and picnic park, it is an incredible piece of history. Mitchelville Freedom Park is the site of the town of Mitchelville, the first self-governed town of formerly enslaved people in the United States. The park offers private tours at $10 per person for a minimum of 10 people, as well as self-guided tours for the public.
Veterans Memorial at Shelter Cove Community Park
Located within Shelter Cove Town Center is the Veterans Memorial. This beautiful tribute to America’s veterans has sculptures, an observation deck, paved paths, and benches to rest and take it all in. There are restrooms and free parking at the Veterans Memorial.
Xeriscape Garden Mini Park
Located at the Town of Hilton Head Island government offices building, and considered a “mini park,” is the Betsy Jukofsky Xeriscape Garden. While the kids may not love or appreciate it, this mini park could be a great spot to visit for a quick picnic lunch. In case you were wondering, a xeriscape garden is one that requires little supplemental watering (I didn’t know either!).
Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge
I know, it’s not a park or playground, but Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge is an amazing outdoor space to explore with your family, so I’m adding it to the list as a bonus. This island refuge is located between Hilton Head Island and Bluffton and is the only refuge island open to the public. It is open from sunrise to sunset with free admission.
This is at the top of my list for our next visit because Baby J is obsessed with animals. The Wildlife Refuge boasts American alligators, 250 species of birds on their list, white-tailed deer, red fox, and bobcats. There is hiking, biking, and wildlife on the island, along with saltwater fishing.
Hilton Head Island Parks and Playgrounds
I hope this post organizing many of the Hilton Head Island Parks has helped you to realize that with so many outdoor adventures to be had, you will not be bored on your family’s Hilton Head Island vacation!
Hilton Head Island is a top destination for family vacations in my house and I have the blog posts to prove it! Be sure to check out the Hilton Head Island category on the blog, or head directly to the most helpful post below:
