Bluffton's town parks are open dawn to dusk: Oyster Factory Park and its 24-hour boat ramp, DuBois and New Riverside Barn playgrounds and the New River Trail.

Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. Facts come from the Town of Bluffton’s Parks page and the town’s facility listings.

The Town of Bluffton runs more than a dozen parks, most of them in or near Old Town on the May River. Town parks are open dawn to dusk unless the town has issued an event permit, according to the town’s parks FAQ. Beaufort County’s Parks and Leisure Services runs sports fields and programs in and around town.

Who to call

On the May River

  • Oyster Factory Park, 55 Wharf St. The town’s riverfront park has a boat ramp to the May River, open 24 hours a day, an open-air pavilion, a fire pit for oyster roasts, picnic tables, restrooms and a river view. The historic Garvin-Garvey House is on the west side of the park. Pets must be on a leash or under voice control.
  • Calhoun Street Dock, at the end of Calhoun Street. Fishing and boating from the public dock, the town says.
  • Wright Family Park, 111 Calhoun St. Open lawn, a walking path, benches and restrooms on the bluff. Alcohol, amplified music and vehicles are not allowed.
  • Pritchard Pocket Park, 124 Pritchard St. Benches and a view of the May River.

Old Town parks

  • DuBois Park, 67 Lawrence St. A playground, open-air pavilion, open lawn, picnic tables, benches and restrooms.
  • Martin Family Park, 68 Boundary St. Open lawn, picnic tables, benches and restrooms. The Bluffton Farmers Market sets up here Thursdays.
  • Tom Herbkersman Commons, 1325 May River Road. Benches and a brick inlay map of Old Town.
  • May River Road Pocket Park, 1220 May River Road.

Other town parks

  • Buckwalter Place Park and Veterans Memorial, 2 Venture Drive. Open lawn, a playground, a first-come, first-served pavilion, tables and the town’s Veterans Memorial. The amphitheater hosts the free Bluffton Music Series; the next show is 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13.
  • New Riverside Barn Park, 44 Red Barn Drive. A playground, a first-come, first-served pavilion, picnic tables and restrooms, plus the New Riverside Barn, which the town rents for events.
  • Rotary Community Center and Field of Dreams at Oscar Frazier Park, Recreation Court. The community center is a town venue; the town’s Spooktacular is here 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23.

Trails

  • New River Linear Trail, 3809-3835 Okatie Highway (S.C. 170). A linear recreational trail for walking or running, according to the town, open dawn to dusk.

The town’s Signs, Road, Trail and Tree Maintenance page covers sidewalks and pathways, and reports go through SeeClickFix. A park map is in the town’s Community Facilities map (PDF).

Coming next

The town bought about 15 acres at the southwest corner of Buck Island Road and the Bluffton Parkway for a new neighborhood park. Master planning and public meetings are set for 2026, with a tentative construction start in late 2027, pending budget approval, according to the town’s capital projects data.

Park rules

Across town parks: pets under control and waste picked up, no weapons, no solicitation, and no open alcohol without an event permit. Tents over 400 square feet need a town tent permit. Rentals are handled by Events and Venues; the facilities page shows availability.

What this means for you

  • Parks close at dusk; the Oyster Factory Park boat ramp does not.
  • For a playground, try DuBois Park in Old Town, New Riverside Barn Park or Buckwalter Place Park.
  • Pick up after your dog in every town park.

More: things to do this month, farmers markets and getting around Bluffton.

Frequently asked questions

What are Bluffton park hours?

Town of Bluffton parks are open dawn to dusk unless an event permit has been issued. The boat ramp at Oyster Factory Park is open 24 hours a day.

Where is the boat ramp in Bluffton?

At Oyster Factory Park on Wharf Street in Old Town, which gives boat ramp access to the May River and is open 24 hours a day. You can also fish and boat from the Calhoun Street Dock at the end of Calhoun Street.

Which Bluffton parks have playgrounds?

DuBois Park, 67 Lawrence St.; New Riverside Barn Park, 44 Red Barn Drive; and Buckwalter Place Park, 2 Venture Drive, all have playgrounds, according to the town.

Are dogs allowed in Bluffton parks?

Yes, under control. Town park rules say pets must be under control at all times, on a leash or under voice control at Oyster Factory Park, and owners must pick up pet waste.

Can I rent a park in Bluffton for a party?

Yes. The town rents Buckwalter Place Park, Martin Family Park, Oyster Factory Park and Wright Family Park for events. Applications go to the Events and Venues department at eventsandvenues@townofbluffton.com.