Wondering what to do in Newberry, SC? This charming small town in South Carolina offers a range of family-friendly parks, playgrounds, and walking trails to enjoy. Whether you live in the area or are just passing through, Kidding Around’s Sarah Burnett has all the info you need to find the perfect place for your family to play!
(Last Updated May 2026)
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably driven past the Newberry exit on I-26 plenty of times, maybe even stopped there for gas or a quick bite to eat. Then I heard that it was named one of the “most charming small towns in America” by Travel Channel, and I knew I had to go explore Newberry and see what this community had to offer!
I found a diverse, growing community that is absolutely rich in outdoor recreation options for families. We pass this area all the time as we go from the Upstate to the Midlands and back, and at this point, I think we have managed to visit every park in Newberry!
With the incredibly unique Wells Japanese Garden, to the unbeatable Newberry Recreation Complex, and all the neighborhood parks in between, you are sure to find plenty of places to play in Newberry, SC!
Know Before You Go: Top Tips for Out-of-Town Visitors
🚗 Take Exit 76 off I-26 to reach Newberry. From the interstate, it’s about a 10-minute drive to reach Downtown Newberry along with most of the parks.
🗓️ All of Newberry’s parks are open daily, roughly sunrise to sunset. Exact hours vary, so if you arrive in early morning or late evening, double-check signage before entering the park. If you find a park is closed, though, don’t worry—the others are only a few minutes away!
💰 All parks are FREE to enter and enjoy! The only cost you might encounter is the admission fee for Gully Washer Splash Park, located inside the free Newberry Recreation Complex.
🏠 With the exception of the Newberry Recreation Complex, Memorial Park, and Lynch’s Woods Park, all the following parks are in developing areas. The Wells Japanese Garden is in a developing commercial area, and the rest are fully residential.
👀 Anytime you are visiting an unfamiliar area, remember to pay attention to your surroundings and trust your gut! Follow safety best practices such as visiting with other adults, keeping a close eye on your children, and not leaving valuables unattended.
🤝 Even when you’re just visiting, remember that this is someone’s home. Respect local residents and business owners, and take care of the community like it’s your own.
Best Parks in Newberry, SC
Top Pick for Families: Newberry Recreation Complex
Location: 1323 College Street, Newberry, SC 29108
Bonus: Gully Washer Splash Park
The best park in Newberry for kids and families has got to be the Newberry Recreation Complex! If you want a guaranteed good time, this park has got it all.
Don’t miss our full review: Newberry Recreation Complex
- Playgrounds? Check! One for preschoolers, one for ages 5 to 12 years old, some great swing sets, and all fully accessible!
- Splash pad? Don’t miss it! The Gully Washer Splash Park is fully accessible and open every summer, usually starting around mid-May and closing around Labor Day.
- Hiking? You bet! One of the hidden treasures in Newberry, this park features an easy, natural trail around a small lake. With the total distance being less than a mile, this makes a perfect place to stretch your legs after a long drive!
- Activities? You name it! This is a sprawling sports complex, complete with baseball fields, soccer goals, batting cages, pickleball, ping-pong tables, exercise equipment, and even a newly completed skate park!
- Amenities? Don’t worry! There are clean public restrooms in the middle of the sports complex and multiple picnic pavilions, perfect for lunch on the go.
Highlight for Nature-Lovers: Lynch’s Woods Park
Location: 1309 College Street, Newberry, SC 29108
If you’re up for some exploring, don’t miss Lynch’s Woods Park! With 276 total acres and Rocky Branch Creek winding through it, this is the only park maintained by Newberry County. You’ll find free parking right at the entrance of the park, along with another free parking lot a little way in, where you’ll find most of the trailheads come together.
Look forward to 7.5 miles of hiking and biking trails with beautiful crossings over Rocky Branch Creek, some of which are accessible by all-terrain wheelchairs and strollers. Plus 6.1 miles of equestrian trails for horseback riders to enjoy!
Trails are a combination of gravel and natural paths, and are generally considered easy for hikers and intermediate for cyclists.
Avid hikers will want to note that Lynch’s Woods Park is home to Lynch’s Woods Passage, a 4-mile section of the larger Palmetto Trail through the state of South Carolina!
VISITOR ADVISORY: Those traveling a distance to visit Lynch’s Woods Park are highly encouraged to call or text 803.924.8328 in advance to check for possible closures due to weather conditions or necessary maintenance!
Hidden Gem: Wells Japanese Garden
Location: 1608 Lindsay Street, Newberry, SC 29108
You will not believe this scenic spot in Newberry! Wells Japanese Garden has been hidden away behind City Hall for almost one hundred years. Originally designed in 1930 and recently renovated, this park is less than half an acre but visually stunning across every inch.
Here, you’ll find an aesthetic narrow path, starting under a red Torii gate and winding its way around and across active koi ponds. There are moving water features, a moon bridge, and even a traditional Japanese teahouse. Come at the right time, and it’s more than likely you’ll run into a photo shoot taking advantage of this little slice of paradise!
Bring your camera, your journal, or your lunch—and leave with a new sense of tranquility!
Quick Picnic Spot: Memorial Park
Location: 1207 McKibben Street, Newberry, SC 29108
Most of Newberry’s best features are right in the heart of its downtown, and Memorial Park is no exception. This small parcel is directly adjacent to the beautifully constructed Hampton Inn, the top place to stay in Newberry, and the Newberry Opera House, the town’s star attraction. It is conveniently within walking distance of Newberry’s downtown eateries, and has free parking at the many neighboring businesses.
With several benches, plenty of shade, and a well-manicured lawn surrounding the war memorials, this park is an ideal spot for a quick picnic or lunch break!
Neighborhood Parks in Newberry
Dr. Julian E. Grant Park is located at 1719 Vincent Street, Newberry, SC 29108. Its entrance is opposite a residential area, but the park itself is wrapped by woods on the other three sides. This park features free parking, restrooms, a picnic shelter, basketball courts, and two side-by-side playgrounds geared towards younger and older children.
Dr. Ulysses S. Gallman Park is located at 668 McSwain Street, Newberry, SC 29108. This quiet park offers close to a couple of acres of secluded greenspace at the edge of a residential area. The play equipment is beautiful and brand new, designed for ages 5 to 12 years old. Additional recreation options include a basketball court and a quarter-mile walking trail, as well as a picnic shelter with public restrooms available right next to the free parking area.
Margaret Hunter Park is located at 1848 Nance Street, Newberry, SC 29108. You’ll find the gravel drive down to this hidden park directly across the street from Newberry Elementary School. While there is no designated parking area, the easiest place to park is at the bottom of the driveway right next to the covered picnic pavilion. In addition to the pavilion, you’ll find a small scenic bridge and disc golf course.
Marion Davis Park is located at 2905 Fair Avenue, Newberry, SC 29108. It comprises nearly 10 acres with a main road on one side and a residential neighborhood on the other. Amenities include free parking, a covered pavilion with brand-new picnic tables, and public restrooms. The playground equipment is brand new, and there are a dozen horseshoe courts available for use! And my personal favorite feature? A lovely stream winds through the full length of the property, making Marion Davis one of the most scenic parks in Newberry.
Mollohon Park is located at 211 Player Street, Newberry, SC 29108. This neighborhood park has no free parking available, so it is primarily used by the surrounding residents. It offers a playground for children ages 5 to 12 years old, swing set, picnic shelter, and public restrooms.
U.S. Marshal Israel Brooks Jr. Park, also called Wise Street Park, is located at 2420 Holloway Street, Newberry, SC 29108. It is well-loved by the surrounding residents, and features amenities such as free parking, public restrooms, a community garden, and a small covered picnic shelter. The playground equipment is designed for children aged 5 to 12 years old, and there are also basketball courts and a small athletic field.
Willowbrook Park is located at 714 Crosson Street, Newberry, SC 29108. Nestled in the middle of a developing neighborhood, it has one of the best playgrounds for toddlers in Newberry. With Scott’s Creek running alongside it and convenient access to Scott’s Creek Greenway, this is definitely one of Newberry’s most scenic parks. Amenities include free parking and a covered picnic shelter, and a local point of interest is the Willowbrook Scout Cabin.
Other Trails and Green Spaces
Newberry Passage is an 11-mile urban hiking route through the City of Newberry, with the northern Franklin Trailhead at the end of Chandler Road and the southern trailhead at the start of Jollystreet Road off US-76. Free parking is available at the Franklin Trailhead, where the Newberry Passage also feeds into the nearly 40-mile Enoree Passage heading north through Sumter National Forest.
Nosegay Park is located at 2425 College Street, Newberry, SC 29108. It is a small, simple greenspace maintained by the city at the intersection of College Street, Fair Avenue, and Reid Street. This is a passive park, not offering parking or amenities, but it’s within view of Smith Road Baseball Field where you might catch a game depending on the time of your visit!
Scott’s Creek Greenway, also called the Newberry Greenway or Greenway Trail, is located at 704 Crosson Street, Newberry, SC 29108. It is most easily accessible from Willowbrook Park and O’Neal Street. This paved path is a little over half a mile one-way and mostly level, and it follows Scott’s Creek across several streets and through a developing residential area.
Wells Park is located at the intersection of Henry Avenue and Reid Street in Newberry, SC. This is a passive, residential park with no parking or amenities. The park features an expanse of woods maintained by the City of Newberry, and it makes for a pretty green space for local residents to enjoy.
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