Park It! Parks/ Beaches in Hilton Head, Bluffton and Beaufort

Your guide to the best parks and beaches in Beaufort, Bluffton and Hilton Head!

Bluffton

Bluffton Pool (Beafort County Parks & Recreation)
Located on Pritchard St. between M.C. Rilley Elementary and M.C. Rilley Early Childhood Center.
Indoor Pool.

 Buckwalter Regional Park
Located on Buckwalter Parkway, across from the Buckwalter Schools Complex.

• Skate park
• Soccer Fields
• Gymnasium/ Rec center
• Walking Trails
• Bike Paths

* Publishers Note: I have to be completely honest here. I had no idea Bluffton had a Skate Park! I have lived here for 9 years- just goes to show you can always learn something new about your community. When I went to this park this week, I was first struck by how large it is. There are several sports fields and the skate park is very clean. There is also a lot of shaded seating overlooking the skate park.

   DuBois Park (this is my favorite!)
Located on the corner of Lawton and Boundary St. in downtown Bluffton.

• Playground (replica of a shrimp boat)
• Swings and benches
• Picnic area with a covered pavilion
• Grassy Field
• Public Wi-Fi

* Publisher's Note: This is one of my favorite parks in the area. It's small enough that I can keep my eyes on my kiddos, even if they scatter in different directions. There is a nice grassy area to play or sit on the greass, but also swinging benches and a covered pavilion if you would rather sit at a table. The shrimp boat playground is better for school age kids. There is a smaller, pre-school "jungle-gym", but of course they won't want to play on that if the big kids are on the boat. So, if you go with a pre-schooler or todder, be prepared for a little climbing and re-directing.

   Oscar Frazier Park
Located on the 8th & 9th Avenue Block in Bluffton Park. Can be accessed from Pin Oak St. or Goethe St.

• Playground
• Soccer Fields
• Baseball Fields
• Community Center

Oyster Factory Park
Located at the corner of Bridge St. and Wharf St. in downtown Bluffton

• Boat Launch
• Picnic Area (covered pavilion or uncovered tables)
• Waterfront view
• Walking Trails
• Becnches
• Public Wi-Fi

* Publishers note: Our family went to this park this week for a picnic. My first impression of this park is that it is remarkably quiet and peaceful. The county website mentiones that there are walking trails here, but I didn't see them. You should know there is a building here that is either being restored or removed. There is a fence around it, but if you have adventurous little ones, you will want to keep your eye on that. Overall, it is a nice quiet place to enjoy a picnic by the water, or kick a ball around for a little while. If your child is overwhelmed by all of the activity at some of the busier parks this might be a good choice for you, but there is no playground, so if you go, bring some things to keep everyone occupied.

Pritchard Pocket Park
Located on Pritchard St. in Bluffton

• Waterfront
• Benches
• Picnic Area

Hilton Head Island

Barker Field
Located on Mitchelville Rd. off Beach City Rd.

• Baseball Field
• Multi- purpose field
• Restrooms
• Boardwalk
• Observation Deck

Burkes Beach
Located on Burkes Beach Rd. off Hwy 278 (William Hilton Parkway)

• Beach Access
• Metered parking

Chaplin Community Park
Located between Burkes Beach Rd and Singleton Beach Rd. off Hwy 278 (William Hilton Parkway)

• Tennis Courts
• Basketball Courts
• Multi-Purpose Fields
• Picnic Pavilion
• Playground
• Restrooms
• Beach Access
• Walking/Bike Trails
• Parking
• Outdoor Showers

* Publishers Note: Our family loves Chaplin Community Park. When our pooch was younger we used to take him for playtime at the dog park once a week, and it is one of the less crowded beaches. The only downside to beach access is that you have to park really far away, and then walk very far through the dunes to get to the beach. No big deal if your family is really active and doesn't need a lot of gear to enjoy the beach. If you are dragging along a stroller, cooler, or bach cart, you would be better off picking a beach with a boardwalk and restrooms that are closer to the beach.

 Coligney Beach Park
Located on Coligney Circle off of Pope Avenue.

• Restrooms and Changing booths
• Beach Matting (perfect for wheelchairs, strollers and beach carts)
• Seasonal Lifegurads on duty
• Seasonal Beach Rentals
• Outdoor Showers
• Boardwalk
• Nearby Bike Paths
• Benches and Swings
• Kids Splash Pad
• Public Parking

* Publishers Note: I know, I know. We're locals, and Coligney is the tourist beach! While it's true that Coligney Beach is the most popular (and crowded) of Coligney's beaches, there are many good reasons for that. Especially for families with very young children. The changing rooms are very helpful for families who have kiddos in swim diapers, or anyone who doesn't want to put dirty, wet, sandy people into the car. The Splash Pad in the front of the park is the perfect incentive to get the kids off the beach quickly with a minimum of whining and crying. Comparatively speaking, the beach access is pretty close to the ammenities like the showers, changing rooms and restrooms. Plus, there is free parking if you're willing to take a comfortable, shaded walk to get to the beach access.

Crossings Park & Bristol Sports Arena
Located on Helmsman Way off of Arrow Rd.

• Baseball Field
• Soccer Field
• Grassy Meadow
• Picnic Pavilion
• Walking/Bike Trails
• Playground
• Skatepark (who knew!)
• Restrooms

 Dreissen Beach Park (aka Bradley Beach)
Located on Bradley Beach Rd. off of Hwy 278 (William Hilton Parkway)

• Playground
• Seasonal Lifegueards
• Seasonal Beach Rentals
• Grill Area
• Picnic Pavilion
• Beach Access
• Restrooms
• Beach Matting (perfect for wheelchairs, strollers, and beach carts)
• Outdoor Showers
• Public and metered parking

* Publishers Note: I love this beach. The playground and Picninc Pavilion here are a nice addition, and the parking is clearly marked. The whole complex is well maintained and the restrooms were nice and clean on my last visit (even at the end of the day). The only think I don't like about this beach is that the walk to the shore is L-O-N-G. So if you have kids and lots of stuff, it makes it harder. A beach cart will be your best freind when visiting this beach!

Fish Haul Creek Park
Located on Beach City Rd.

• Observation Deck
• Walking/ Biking Trails
• Restrooms
• Picnnic Pavilion

Folly Field Beach Park
Located on Folly Field Rd. off Hwy 278 (William Hilton Parkway)

• Public Parking (paid)
• Boardwalk
• Restrooms
• Seasonal Lifeguards
• Seasonal Beach Rentals
• Beach Matting (perfect for wheelchairs, strollers and beach carts)
• Outdoor Showers

* Publishers Note: This is one of the quieter beaches and it's conveniently located on the North end of the Island for folks traveling from Bluffton/Beaufort. The one downside with this beach is that there is somewhat limited parking available. However, if you go during an off peak time this is a great choice. The restrooms, boardwalk and showers are all rather close to the beach.

Green Shell Park
Located on Squire Pope Rd.

• Playground
• Basketball Court
• Picnic Pavilion
• Restrooms
• Observation Deck

Hilton Head Park (Old Schoolhouse Park)
Located on Hwy 278 (William Hilton Parkway) at Wild Horse Rd.

• Tennis Courts
• Basketball court
• Soccer Field

Island Recreation Center
Located Off Gumtree Rd.

• Public Pool
• Tennis Court
• Basketball Court
• Multi-purpose Field
• Playground
• Restrooms

Islanders Beach Park
Located on Folly Field Rd.

• Picnic Pavilion
• Grill Area
• Playground
• Restrooms
• Boardwalk
• Beach Access
• Beach Matting (perfect for wheelchairs, strollers and beach carts)
• Seasonal Lifeguards
• Seasonal Beach Rentals
• Outdoor showers

Jarvis Creek Park
Located off Hwy 278 (William Hilton Parkway)

• Picnic Pavilion
• Grill Area
• Grassy Meadow
• Playground
• Biking/Walking Trails
• Restrooms
• Observation Deck

Mitchelville Beach Park
Located on Mitchelville Rd. off Beach City Rd.

• Beach Access
• Beach Matting (perfect for wheelchairs, strollers, and beach carts)
• Restrooms

Shelter Cove Community Park
Located on Shelter Cove Lane

• Veterans Memorial
• Biking/walking Trails
• Picnic Pavilion
• Boardwalk
• Observation Deck
• Restrooms

Beaufort

Beaufort Indoor Pool
Located at 35 Youmans Drive, Beaufort. (adjacent to Beaufort High School)

• Indoor Pool
• Restrooms

Beaufort Outdoor Pool
Located at 1710 Green St., Beaufort. (at the Charles "Lind" Brown Activity Center)

• Outdoor Pool
• Restrooms

Battery Creek Pool
Located 1 Dolphin Dr. Beaufort

• Indoor Pool
• Restrooms

Basil Green Community Park
Located at 1500 Rodgers St., Beaufort

• Baseball Fields
• Soccer Field
• Restrooms

Beaufort Tennis Courts
Located at 1105 Bladden St. Beaufort

• Tennis Courts
• Restrooms

Bob Jones Field
Located at 2712 Jones Ave. Beaufort

• Baseball Fields
• Basketball Court
• Restrooms

Bruce Edgerly Field
Located at 719 16th St. Beaufort

• Baseball Field
• Multi Purpose Field
• Restrooms

Burton Wells County Park
Located at 1 Middleton Recreation Dr. Beaufort

• Recreation Center
• Multi-Purpose Field
• Baseball Field
• Soccer Field
• Football Field
• Outdoor Basketball
• Picnic Area
• Playground
• Restrooms

Burton Wells (Old)
Located at 143 Burton Wells Rd. Beaufort

• Baseball Field
• Basketball Court
• Restrooms

Charles "Lind" Brown Neighborhood Activity Center
Located between Burkes Beach Rd and Singleton Beach Rd in Beaufort

• Indoor/Outdoor Basketball
• Outdoor Pool (with watersde and splash play areas)
• Lifeguards
• Restrooms

Lenora Drive Park
Located on Ribaut Rd and Lenora Dr. in Beaufort.

• Playground

Pigeon Point Park
Located on Pigeon Point Rd.

• Tennis Court
• Playground
• Restroom

Shell Point Park
Located at 381 Broad River Rd. Beaufort

• Tennis Court
• Soccer Field
• Walking/Bike Path
• Playground
• Restrooms

Southside Tennis Courts
Located Battery Creek Rd. Beaufort

• Tennis Court
• Picnic Area
• Multi=Purpose Field

Waterfront Park (Includes Freedom Park)
Located along the waterfront on the Beaufort River in downtown Beaufor. It can be accessed at Bay St. and Carteret St. This is the city's most prominent park.

• Playground
• Waterfront
• Benches/Swings
• Stage
• Pavilion
• Picnic Area
• Bike/Walking Paths
• Gardens and Grass Meadow