Absolutely love this little gem on James Island, affectionately nicknamed sunrise park. It is a great spot to watch the sunrise over the water and watch the sunset behind the skyline and bridge. There is a small gravel parking lot, two beaches, a dock that many fish off of or pull their boats up to before hitting the water. I will note there are sharks at this beach (well duh! You're probably thinking. But I tend to see more here in the shallows than I do at the main beaches.) speaking of sharks, this is a great spot to search for tiny shark teeth (and I do mean tiny!!) I love coming here to walk the dog or have a picnic. It's absolutely beautiful and a well kept spot for locals. read more

Melton Peter Demetre Park - A couple of the teeth I found - Parks Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Only outsiders know it as Melton whoever park, if you're a local it will always be Sunrise Park. Nice views of the Harbor and decent fishing in the pond up front. read more

This park is a hidden gem for sharks teeth. Every time am in Charleston, we must stop here to hunt for them. The views are also incredible!! read more

Melton Peter Demetre Park - Baby sharks teeth and sting ray teeth - Parks Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Melton Peter Demetre Park also known locally as Sunrise Park is hands down one of Charleston's best-kept secrets, especially if you're an early riser chasing that magical sunrise, like me. Tucked away at the end of a quiet residential road in James Island, this peaceful waterfront gem offers a front-row seat to some of the most stunning sunrises you'll ever witness. As the sun creeps over the horizon, the sky transforms into a canvas of soft pinks, fiery oranges, and golden light, all reflected beautifully on the Charleston Harbor. You'll catch views of downtown Charleston, the Ravenel Bridge. What makes this park even more special is how quiet and uncrowded it is at sunrise. It feels like your own private retreat. There are benches and a long pier that's perfect for taking it all in with a cup of coffee or a moment of reflection. It's clean, well-maintained, and feels safe even in those early hours. There's a small parking area right at the entrance, and it's just a short stroll to the water's edge. Stunning trip... Don't miss. read more

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Nice little park overlooking the Charleston Harbor. Awesome view of the Ravenel Bridge. Not very busy during the day. Great place to take in the view and get some fresh air. If you enjoy dock fishing or crabbing, this is a great place to do that. read more

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This is a nice park It offers a small beachfront and pier for fishing, view of the Charleston Harbor, historic and educational markers, a small picnic area, room to walk the door and a place to relax right outside the city It is also a decent place to watch the sunrise and set. Not the best but good and the infrastructure is a bit aged. It is a little worn and can use a little TLC. Overall, though it is a nice quiet park with a number of amenities read more

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Nice park with a gorgeous pier that is perfect for taking in the view of Charleston! Good size for taking a short walk and getting some fresh air. There is a long pier with a floating landing at the end of it in the water. You can walk down here and enjoy the park even more right on the water. read more

Melton Peter Demetre Park - Gorgeous park! - Parks Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Lovely small park on the river Easy to park and walk to the water Usually quiet and peaceful Lovely view of the water It is gated and closed at night The gate is automatic so you have to be out on time This is a nice place to see a sunset and walk the dog Usually boats to watch read more

Also known as Sunrise Park. It's a great hidden park. Not many people know about the the place, so let's keep it that way. Not good for swimming, but the views are awesome of the harbor! The neighboring James Island yacht club usually has sailboats which is really cool. Fishing is fairly common off the docks too. Finally, If the wind is calm, better bring your bug spray... read more

Melton Peter Demetre Park - Sailing club next to Sunrise Park - Parks Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

A cute little park in the middle of nowhere with amazing views of the harbor. Lots of benches for sitting and watching, and a few small beaches for walking. As mentioned in other reviews, the beaches are small and mildly dangerous for bare feet, but otherwise a lot of fun around low tide. You never know what you may find in the sand / pluff mud. Living up to its nickname, sunrise beach, has a beautiful view of the rising sun if you get there at the right time. Plenty of parking available at 6am on a Sunday. read more

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Melton Peter Demetre Park on Wampler Drive on James Island is a cool park that has great views of the Charleston harbor, a beach area with sand to get in the water or relax, a picnic area to have a picnic, a place to do fishing, and much more. I like the location of the park and how much of it overlooks the water. The park is well maintained and clean and well worth checking out on a nice day. read more

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A James Island hidden gem! Part of me definitely selfishly wants the "hidden" part of the above statement to remain true, but I wouldn't hate on anyone for falling in love with this spot. Sunrise Park (or Melton Peter Demetre Park as it is now called) is small in scope but packs plenty of awesomeness into its small acreage. You can't go wrong checking out a sunrise or a sunset here (though that shouldn't be shocking given the presence of the word "sunrise" in the park's former name), and it offers great views of the famed Ravenel Bridge and downtown Charleston. The spot is perfect for lounging at one of the picnic tables, searching for shells, fishing, or letting your dog romp in the water. There isn't any swimming here, which is probably a good thing since such accessibility would probably bring a lot more people in droves! Next time you're in the area around sunrise or sunset time, pay Sunrise Park a visit! read more

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Man we love this place simple , peaceful and great views of Charleston.. 2 little beach areas .. great little get away

Locals know this place as "Sunrise Park". It's a small Riverfront/Harborside beach right before the James Island Yacht Club. You have to go through a neighborhood to get here, so if you're not familiar, you'll need directions. It's a hidden gem that many of us would prefer to keep that way. It's just a sliver of sandy beach, but perfect for a picnic or outing with family and friends. Lovely views of downtown and Mount Pleasant. You "can" go swimming, but its pluff mud and some oysters/rocks too so be careful. Most don't swim, but will take out the Hobie Cat for a spin. At low tide it's really shallow and you are likely to get a vessel of any kind stuck. There is a dock that you can go out on for fishing, and a bluff with trees if it's super hot and you're not trying to get a tan. I almost forgot...no amenities. It's a great lazy-day, island-living kinda place. Take care of it and pack yo stuff in and out! read more

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Hidden Gem! Beautiful views of Charleston & Mount Pleasant. read more

Melton Peter Demetre Park - Charleston seen from MPM park. - Parks Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Sunrises and sunsets are simply amazing. You also get awesome views of the city and the harbor. All for the nominal fee of getting your butt out of the car and walking to it. They also installed a fishing dock, which people are always fishing on it. What's funny, is that I used to hang out here all the time when I was a kid. Back then, it was basically a bunch of rocks and a tiny beach. The city bought it, cleaned it up, added a dock, a small parking lot, some benches, a pavilion, and some trash cans. If you ever want great pics of the city and the harbor, this is THE place to go. Oh yeah, not a place to go swimming, due to the oyster beds everywhere, but you can lay out, look for shells, or enjoy the view. read more

Melton Peter Demetre Park - Parks Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

This place is terrible..just awful. You should avoid it at all costs! ;) Of course I'm kidding. It's a fantastic little spot that is off the path of most people headed down to Folly for the same amenities. Beach, pier, views. While you may be facing the harbor rather than an endless ocean, make no mistake, it's still beautiful. As for swimming, I've never been in the water here but I wouldn't advise it. Come here to lay out, fish or take in the views. read more

A girlfriend of mine showed me this place on James Island once. Her husband takes awesome pics of sunrises and sunsets and birds here. I decided to take the drive out and check it out for a possible fishing spot. It is off Fort Johnson Rd by a yacht club, the sign has a different name ...not Sunrise Park on it.. Melton Peter Demetre I believe it said. I barely got a parking spot as there isn't a whole lot of spaces ...it is free and maybe can accommodate a few cars outside the park area. There is a nice dock and a place to fish, two small, sandy beach areas with mostly oyster shells. There are some little wooded walkways for wildlife viewing. You can bring dogs. Only downside is one nasty restroom with a hole in ground and no running water..the odor as you walk up to it was enough to make me turn around and walk away ...no way would I use that! Otherwise, a clean, peaceful area to fish or sunbathe without a crowd..just go early on weekends for parking. read more

This is such a great park with beautiful views but there is dog mess all over the place . Could the city put a bag station out there and maybe the dog owners will get the hint? The bathroom is also gross. read more

If you are looking for a place to swim, this isn't it. Cool place to relax and let your dog run around? Yes Want to fish? Yep Wanna find shark teeth?? MUST GO HERE. Sorry if I'm outing a secret shark tooth spot, but in the past year, my wife and I have only found 5-6 shark teeth on the beaches around the area. We went to Sunrise and within an hour, we had more than 20. I was finding 2 or 3 at a time. read more

I can't believe I call myself a local because it took me 30 years to get to this park! Amazing views of our beautiful Lowcountry! It's a sight to see when the sun kisses the earth! Enjoy! read more

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Beautiful park but it's a shame the one bathroom has poop on the floor and smells God aweful, very unsanitary. Health Department would really have something to say. Please keep it clean like the rest of the park, it's shameful really. read more

I have lived in Charleston all of my life and never knew about this beautiful place until I lived on James Island specifically. I have two dogs, and it was a great place to let them swim and play without fighting traffic and crowds on Folly. There are an abundance of shark's teeth and shells on both of the little beaches. There are beautiful views of the sunset and of the harbor from almost all sides. Most people wouldn't go swimming there because of the oysters but at hightide it's not so bad. Bring bug spray in the evenings! read more

Melton Peter Demetre Park - Parks Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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I love this little park! Great view of the harbor, a nice beach area, and a long dock. Lots of people usually there around sunset (can't blame them). No playground. Bathrooms are there as well as water fountains for humans and dogs! There are a few picnic tables as well. read more

The view is amazing there, but you don't want to watch the sunset there unless you park outside the park, because right after sunset the gates close and lick you in and the only way to get out is to call the cops... read more

As others have stated this is a great place depending on your expectations. If you follow the Charleston Harbor swim guide via Charleston Water Keeper you'll see this place normally gets a green check of approval that it "meets quality water standards". This means it is okay to swim there according to tested samples but I'd recommend a visual check too. The water here is very dirty as it comes up on shore and there is often trash and debris. I've seen lots of glass and sharp metal so shoes are also preferable. Personally, I'd find a different place to swim. That being said if you are here to read on the beach, hunt for seashells, watch a sunset, walk your dog, or rock in an Eno then this is a great place! There rudimentary are restrooms and a hose to spray off. These facilities could certainly use an upgrade but they get the job done. The parking lot is fairly small but there is a street shoulder as well. read more

Melton Peter Demetre Park - The low tide left some enjoyable sand artwork - Parks Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

If there was a 6, I'd give this place a 6 for sure. This is the most beautiful park in Charleston. The views are amazing. There is not a better view of the Ravanel! You can fish, you can lay on the beach, you can hang up a hammock. It's awesome and it seems to be a well kept secret. James Island. Get there. read more

Such a great place to bring dogs! They can frolic on two different beaches and our puppies especially love the dock. I've heard there's some good fishing here and that people have even caught drum in the little pond. read more

Omg, this address is 666?! This is by far, my most favorite place in all of Charleston. Phenomenal view, marine life galore...even a manatee if you're lucky! Regardless of sand, not for swimming, but great for picnics, fishing, dog walking, kayak launching, and...are the sharks teeth picked out by now? Bring bug spray just in case, and enjoy a romantic sunset. read more

What a beautiful place to watch the sunset! My husband and I wanted to see the sunset somewhere that wasn't too crowded and this was the perfect place. We walked out on the dock and sat right on the water while watching the sun descend and the sky changing into beautiful pink, purple and orange colors. We were also lucky to see a few dolphins playing in the water underneath the sunset! Parking lot was not full at all and was very accessible. Definitely recommend this for a great sunset or a nice stroll on the water. read more

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