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Daniel Island Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 32 Google reviews · Running trail in Charleston, South Carolina · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Daniel Island Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Daniel Island Trail
“such a beautiful and peaceful spot, especially with the views of the River I went there for a short walk, and it was really relaxing.”
“such a beautiful and peaceful spot, especially with the views of the River I went there for a short walk, and it was really relaxing.”
“The best trail to walk, dog friendly, & so pretty!”
Depending on how much you wanna walk/bike, this trail goes about 24 miles I think. We only did a mile from the parking lot, and then walked back. It was nice to be close to the water. We saw a lot pf boats and fishes. Our fav part though was using the swing by the parking lot and just enjoying the view.
One of the many things I like about Daniel Island is 24 miles of biking and walking trails that meander through the marsh, river and creeks. The whole trail system connects all of the neighborhoods together and feeds you into downtown Daniel Island.
Daniel Island Trail is a beautiful and serene walking/ biking trail along the edge of waterfront. It’s a dog friendly trail too.
such a beautiful and peaceful spot, especially with the views of the River I went there for a short walk, and it was really relaxing. However, I noticed a sign that indicated parts of the trail are private property, so I wasn’t able to explore as much as I’d hoped.
Trail conditions & character
“such a beautiful and peaceful spot, especially with the views of the River I went there for a short walk, and it was really relaxing.”
“It looks wheelchair accessible as the trail is wide and flat, and I've seen people with their strollers go by, but I can't officially confirm if it is though.”
“There are several doggy parks and baseball/fields along the way as well that have a good amount of parking.”
“The best trail to walk, dog friendly, & so pretty!”
“Easy flat trail that lead you through trees across marshland (on elevated path) and gives easy opportunity to loop, retrace, or otherwise control the distance you want to walk.”
“such a beautiful and peaceful spot, especially with the views of the River I went there for a short walk, and it was really relaxing.”
“The gravel is really compact so it is suitable for strollers and people in wheelchairs.”
Plan your run at Daniel Island Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitesctrails.net
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–7 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–7 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–7 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–7 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–7 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–7 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–7 pm |
Running trails near Charleston
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Governors Park
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Kearns Park Trail
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Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park
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A nautical-themed playground, 1,250-ft pier with bench swings, cafe/gift shop & scenic harbor views.
Patriots Point Nature Trail
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Nature preserve featuring trails for kid-friendly hikes, plus golf and wildlife observation decks.
Shem Creek Boardwalk
4.8 ★★★★★ 470 reviews
Laid-back waterside walkway with views of the creek and marsh lands, plus benches.