What Are the Best Outdoor Adventures in Charleston?

09 December 2025

Charleston is famous for its old streets and beautiful homes, but the best part happens when you leave downtown. The Lowcountry has amazing outdoor adventures where you can fly through forest trees, paddle through quiet marshes, and explore wild islands. Whether you're visiting for the weekend or you live here and want something new to try, this guide shows you the best outdoor activities Charleston offers.

Charleston Adventure Forest: The Area's Best Zipline Experience

Charleston Adventure Forest is the top outdoor adventure in Charleston. Located in Awendaw just 20 minutes from downtown, this family-owned park has the only zipline canopy tour in the Charleston area. The main zipline tour has seven different ziplines that carry you through tall pine trees and beautiful forest. Professional guides handle all the safety equipment and tell you interesting facts about the forest while you fly through the trees. The two-hour adventure gets more exciting with each zipline, ending with an amazing 750-foot finale that will make you want to do it again.

Families with younger kids will love the Koala Course. This special kids' zipline is designed for children ages 5-12, with heights from ground level up to 25 feet. Kids can run the course as many times as they want during their 90-minute session, which makes it perfect for birthday parties and group celebrations. Parents can watch from below or join older kids on the main tour if everyone's old enough.

What makes Charleston Adventure Forest special is having so many activities in one place. After you finish the ziplines, try the climbing wall - at 65 feet tall, it's the highest in Charleston. The automatic belay system keeps you safe whether you're a beginner or experienced climber. Want something completely unique? Try blacksmithing and forge your own metal creation to take home. Or book an animal encounter where you meet and pet alpacas, goats, ponies, pigs, and reptiles. It's the kind of place where everyone finds something they love.

Group Packages and Discounts

Charleston Adventure Forest offers great packages for groups and special events. Groups of 6-10 people pay just $75 per person instead of the regular $89. Larger groups of 11 or more can call for custom pricing. You can also save money by combining activities - try the zipline tour with the climbing wall, animal encounters, or blacksmithing. They have special packages for bachelor and bachelorette parties, corporate team building, birthday celebrations, and family reunions.

Good for: Families, groups, adventure seekers, team building
How long: 2 hours for zipline tour, 90 minutes for Koala Course
When: Year-round
Price: Starting at $75 per person with group discounts
Where: Awendaw (20 minutes from downtown Charleston)

Book Your Adventure

Kayaking Through Salt Marshes

Charleston's salt marsh system is perfect for kayaking, especially if you've never done it before. The protected waters are calm and peaceful as you paddle through winding creeks where dolphins surface right next to your kayak. You'll see great blue herons standing in the shallow water and egrets flying overhead. Several local companies offer guided tours and rentals from different spots around Charleston. Guides explain how the marsh ecosystem works while you paddle through channels filled with wildlife. Sunset tours are especially beautiful when the golden light makes the marsh grass glow.

Popular places to start include Folly Creek near Folly Beach and Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant. At Shem Creek, you can paddle past the old shrimp boats that have been part of Charleston's fishing industry for generations.

Good for: Nature lovers, photographers, peaceful exploration
How long: 2-3 hours
When: Year-round
Skill level: Beginner-friendly

Explore Islands by Boat

Morris Island Lighthouse stands in the water like a tall guardian. It used to be on land, but years of erosion washed the beach away. Boat tours take you to Morris Island where you can walk on empty beaches looking for shark teeth and shells. The tours combine wildlife watching with fossil hunting - you'll cruise through marsh channels where dolphins play while the boat heads to the island. Once you're there, you get time to search the beach for treasures. Kids and adults both love finding shark teeth to take home.

Fort Sumter tours offer something different. This is the island where the Civil War started, and you can walk on the same ground where history happened. The ferry ride shows you beautiful views of Charleston Harbor, and Fort Sumter itself has both history and amazing 360-degree water views.

Good for: History buffs, families, shell collectors
How long: 2-4 hours
When: Year-round
Ages: All ages welcome

Walk the Ravenel Bridge

The Ravenel Bridge crosses the Cooper River with a special walking and biking path that gives you some of the best views in Charleston. The path goes 2.5 miles across the bridge, climbing 186 feet above the water. From the top, you can see Fort Sumter, downtown Charleston's skyline, and the barrier islands in the distance. Early morning is best for photos and cooler weather. The bridge hosts the famous Cooper River Bridge Run every year, but you can walk or bike it any time for free. After you cross, explore the parks in Mount Pleasant or grab lunch near Shem Creek before heading back.

Good for: Runners, cyclists, photographers, anyone wanting harbor views
How long: 1 hour round trip (walking)
When: Year-round, 24/7 access
Cost: Free

Surfing and Beach Activities at Folly Beach

Folly Beach has the best surf breaks near Charleston. The pier creates consistent waves that work well for people learning to surf and also challenge experienced surfers. Local surf schools on the beach offer lessons and rent boards if you want to try catching your first wave. Stand-up paddleboarding is a calmer option where you stand on a board and paddle along the coast. You'll get a good workout while seeing dolphins and shore birds. For families with young children, Isle of Palms has gentler waves and wider beaches that are more relaxed.

Good for: Surfers, beach lovers, water sports enthusiasts
How long: Half day to full day
When: Year-round (best waves fall through spring)
Skill level: All levels welcome

Fishing in Charleston Waters

Charleston sits between rivers, marshes, and the Atlantic Ocean, which creates excellent fishing. Inshore charters take you into the salt marshes to catch redfish and speckled trout. Offshore trips go farther out to chase tuna, mahi-mahi, and sailfish in deep water. Half-day trips work great for families or people trying saltwater fishing for the first time. Full-day trips are better for serious fishermen who want to catch big fish. The captains provide all the equipment and clean your catch, so you just need to show up ready to fish. The combination of skilled captains and good fishing spots means you'll usually catch something to remember.

Good for: Anglers, families wanting to try fishing
How long: 4 hours (half day) or 8 hours (full day)
When: Year-round
Experience needed: None, captains teach beginners

Nature Trails and Historic Trees

Palmetto Islands County Park has three miles of paved trails that wind through maritime forest and along tidal creeks. The elevated boardwalk sections let you look over the marshes where egrets and ibis feed. A 50-foot observation tower gives you views across the whole Lowcountry. For longer hikes, Francis Marion National Forest north of Charleston has extensive trail systems. The Swamp Fox Passage runs 47 miles through the forest if you want a serious hiking challenge.

Good for: Hikers, bikers, dog owners, bird watchers
How long: 1-4 hours depending on trail choice
When: Year-round
Cost: Free to $2 per vehicle

Angel Oak on Johns Island is worth a visit. This Southern live oak tree is 400-500 years old with branches that stretch 187 feet. The tree is so big that some branches rest on the ground before rising back up toward the sky. It's free to visit and makes a peaceful stop after more active adventures.

Good for: Nature lovers, photographers, families
How long: 30 minutes to 1 hour
When: Year-round, daylight hours
Cost: Free

Magnolia Plantation offers 70 acres of gardens with trails through swamps and along boardwalks where you can walk among azaleas, camellias, and ancient oaks covered in Spanish moss.

Good for: Garden enthusiasts, peaceful walks, photographers
How long: 2-3 hours
When: Year-round (spring blooms are spectacular)
Cost: Varies by experience level

Planning Your Visit to Charleston?

Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) have the best weather for outdoor activities - temperatures between 65-80°F with lower humidity. Summer gets hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms, but you get longer days and warm water for beach activities. Winter stays mild enough (50-65°F) that most activities continue all year with fewer crowds.

Bring sunscreen and a hat no matter what season you visit - Charleston sun is strong year-round. Wear comfortable athletic shoes with closed toes for activities like ziplining and climbing. Pack a water bottle to stay hydrated, bug spray for marsh and forest adventures, and a camera to capture memories. Book popular activities like Charleston Adventure Forest's zipline tours a few days ahead during busy seasons. Most places offer online booking and will reschedule if weather gets bad.

Start Your Charleston Adventure

Charleston's outdoor adventures show you the Lowcountry's natural beauty beyond the historic downtown. Whether you're flying through forest canopies at Charleston Adventure Forest, paddling quiet marshes, or walking beneath ancient oaks, these activities create memories that last long after your visit ends.

Ready to experience Charleston's best outdoor adventure? Book your zipline tour at Charleston Adventure Forest.

Call: 843-928-3947
Website: charlestonziplineadventures.com
Location: Awendaw, SC (20 minutes from downtown Charleston)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best outdoor adventure activities in Charleston?

Ziplining at Charleston Adventure Forest (the only zipline course in Charleston), kayaking with dolphins, island boat tours, surfing at Folly Beach, and fishing charters. Charleston Adventure Forest offers the most variety with ziplines, climbing, blacksmithing, and animal encounters.

Can I find adventure and outdoor activity packages in Charleston?

Yes. Charleston Adventure Forest has combo packages and group discounts starting at $75 per person for groups of 6+. They offer packages for parties, team building, and birthdays.

Are Charleston outdoor activities good for kids?

Yes. Charleston Adventure Forest welcomes kids age 5+ for the Koala Course. Kids 10+ can do the main zipline tour. Boat tours, beaches, and nature trails work for all ages.

Do I need experience for outdoor adventures in Charleston?

No. Guides teach you everything at Charleston Adventure Forest, kayak tours, and surf lessons. Choose guided options if you're new to an activity.

Can I do outdoor activities in Charleston during winter?

Yes. Charleston's mild winters (50-65°F) keep activities open year-round. Charleston Adventure Forest, boat tours, fishing, and trails all operate in winter.