Everything you need to know about 4th of July weekend at IOP
Parking
Paid parking is available at the Municipal Parking Lots located on Pavilion Drive. Users may pay using the kiosks inside the parking lot or TEXT TO PARK by texting 727563 with the following:
- Muni Lot A - “Park IPMUNA”
- Muni Lot B - “Park IPMUNB”
- Ocean Blvd - “Park IPOCN”
The daily rate is $10 Monday through Friday and $15 Saturday, Sunday and Holidays. After 4:00 p.m., visitors may pay an hourly rate of $2.00. The ticket must be prominently displayed on the dash before leaving the parking lot. Failure to do so will result in a $50.00 parking violation. The lots are operational between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Residents with properly credentialed vehicles can park in the Municipal Lots anytime free of charge. A properly credentialed vehicle is one that has a City issued Resident Parking Permit or a Wild Dunes Resident decal.
Visitors will also find metered parking on Ocean Boulevard near Front Beach between 10th and 14th Avenues. The hourly rate is $2.50.
Visitors may also park their vehicles on the public right-of-way in the designated "Beach Parking" zones. All vehicles parked in the designated beach parking areas must obey state and local parking regulations in those areas. Parking in violation of parking rules will result in a $100 fine.
Check the real time traffic cameras at SCDOT511 mobile app to help you plan your beach day and avoid traffic congestion. Traffic peak times are generally between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
Handicap Parking & Beach Access
Designated handicapped parking is available in the IOP County Park, the small Municipal Parking Lot on Pavilion Drive, 9th Avenue, Front Beach Public Restrooms, 21st Avenue and 42nd Avenue.
Handicap parking is available in the small Municipal Parking Lot behind the Public Safety Building at no charge for vehicles displaying the appropriate license plate or placard. Disabled veterans and recipients of the Purple Heart are also exempt from the pay parking requirements when their vehicles bear a disabled veteran's or Purple Heart license plate issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Beach Wheelchairs
The City of Isle of Palms offers daily use of beach wheelchairs at no charge. Use of a beach wheelchair is on a first-come, first-serve basis. No reservations are taken. Beach wheelchairs are located at the Public Safety Building, located at 30 J.C. Long Boulevard, Isle of Palms, SC 29451.
Beach wheelchairs are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. They must be returned no later than 8:00 p.m. the day of the rental. The IOP Fire Department does not pick up or deliver beach wheelchairs. More information here: Beach Wheelchair Program | City of Isle of Palms, SC (iop.net)
Beach Shuttle
#RideCARTA to the Isle of Palms! Hop on the NEW Beach Reach Shuttle at Mount Pleasant Towne Centre and park for free -- or connect via CARTA Routes 40/42 -- to be dropped off steps away from the sand!
The Beach Reach Shuttle operates on weekends and holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The hourly weekend service provides a new connection between Mount Pleasant and Isle of Palms. Landside Beach Reach parking will be located along Market Center Boulevard in Mount Pleasant Towne Center. The on-island Beach Reach stop is located at the 14th Avenue and Ocean Boulevard beach access path.
Golf Cart Parade
The Isle of Palms Community 4th of July Golf Cart Parade will start at 10:00 a.m. with staging of golf cart participants beginning at 9:00 a.m. The staging will take place at 4th Avenue and Charleston Boulevard. This event is not hosted by the City of Isle of Palms and questions pertaining to participation can be sent to the event coordinator, Diane Juras at djuras@comcast.net
Golf Carts
In accordance with state law, golf cart operators must have valid driver's license, a permit from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles and proof of insurance to operate the golf cart on a secondary highway or street within four (4) miles of his or her residence or place of business where the golf cart is registered or from the ingress/regress of a gated community where the golf cart is registered during daylight hours only.
Designated Golf Cart parking is available on 9th Avenue & Ocean Boulevard, 28th and 31st Avenues on Palm Boulevard.
Fireworks Show
The City of Isle of Palms will host a fireworks show on Monday, July 4th at 9:15 p.m. at the Front Beach area.
The area of the beach between the IOP County Park at 14th Avenue and Sea Cabins will be cleared at 6:00 p.m. for the set up and preparation of the Fireworks Show sponsored by the City. Please be prepared to take your family and belongings off this area of the beach at 6:00 p.m. You may remain inside the Isle of Palms County Park area, or behind the restroom facilities to watch the show.
Leave the fireworks to the professionals. Fireworks are strictly prohibited at the City of Isle of Palms.
July 5 Morning Beach Cleanup
Isle of Palms Police Department and Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew invite volunteers to clean up at least half an hour during a special all-ages beach litter sweep 7:00 -9:00 a.m., July 5, the morning after the City's Independence Day fireworks. Sign in between the Front Beach public outdoor showers and restrooms in the 1100 block of Ocean Boulevard, next to Coconut Joe's. Reusable gloves, buckets, and data collection supplies will be provided along with Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew magnets, which allow free parking in the Municipal parking lots off Pavilion Drive through 10:00 a.m.
Beach Safety
Follow these simple rules to ensure you and your family have an enjoyable beach trip the July 4th weekend.
- Alcohol and the Ocean NEVER mix! Alcohol is not permitted on the beach or on the street.
- Dogs must be on a leash and owners must clean up after their pets.
- Please use the garbage and recycling containers to keep the beach clean.
- Please protect our dunes, use the paths.
- Holes dug in the sand should be filled back in for safety.
- Single use plastic bags, Styrofoam products and smoking are not allowed on the beach – these regulations help us protect our beautiful beach and promote a healthy environment for all to enjoy.
The City expects a significant influx of visitors to the island over the holiday weekend. We ask residents and visitors to plan their weekend carefully. The City will have extra personnel over the weekend to assist in directing traffic and enforcing rules and regulations to ensure the safety of residents and visitors.