Living in Charleston National, Mount Pleasant: Homes, Golf

Charleston National, Mount Pleasant

Charleston National is a golf community in northern Mount Pleasant, off Highway 17 North along the Intracoastal Waterway. It's built around a Rees Jones course that opened to the public after Hurricane Hugo changed the original private club plan in 1989. Homes include condos, townhomes, single-family homes and waterfront homes with docks on the waterway or tidal creeks. Over Jan 1, 2026 to Oct 21, 2026, 34 homes sold here at a median of $783,000.

By Barry Cunningham, REALTOR®. Updated October 22, 2026.

What's selling in Charleston National

From Jan 1, 2026 to Oct 21, 2026, 34 homes sold in Charleston National at a median of $783,000, 13% below the median for Mount Pleasant. Most sold between $600K and $1.15M. The homes that sold were 88% single-family detached, with a median year built of 1998.

Location: Off Highway 17 North (Along the Intracoastal Waterway, about 10 miles from downtown)
Golf: Rees Jones design, 1989 (Charleston National Golf Club, open to the public)
Homes: Condos, townhomes, single-family, waterfront (Some waterfront homes have private docks)
Amenities: Pools, fitness, tennis, trails (Plus the golf club's Rees Jones Pub)

Where it is and getting around

Charleston National is in northern Mount Pleasant, off Highway 17 North. The golf club is at 1360 National Drive, about 10 miles from downtown Charleston by way of 17 and the Ravenel Bridge. Plan on about 20 minutes to downtown without heavy traffic.

The community borders the Intracoastal Waterway, with views across the water toward Isle of Palms from parts of the course.

The homes

You'll find condos, townhomes, single-family homes and waterfront homes here. Many waterfront homes have docks on the Intracoastal Waterway or a deep-water tidal creek. Others look out on Copahee Sound, freshwater ponds, marsh or the golf course.

If a private dock matters to you, confirm the dock permit and depth at low tide for the specific home. Not every water view comes with usable water access.

Amenities and HOA

Residents have community pools, a fitness facility, tennis and walking trails, and the golf club runs junior camps, clinics, leagues and a renovated Rees Jones Pub. People also kayak and paddleboard from the water's edge.

The golf club website links to a homeowner portal, but I couldn't find HOA dues or transfer fees published by an official source. Ask for them, and ask whether the home is in a gated section, on any home you consider.

The golf course and Hurricane Hugo

Charleston National was first planned as an exclusive private club. Hurricane Hugo hit in 1989 when the course was mostly built and reshaped the land, so the developers opened the course to the public and built homes on much of the remaining property.

Rees Jones designed it, and his company later came back to rebuild it. It plays about 7,064 yards from the back tees through wetlands, lagoons and pine and oak forest, with holes that carry over the marsh. The club offers a VIP program with no monthly dues.

Schools

Homes here are in the Charleston County School District. Assignments go by address, so check the specific home on the district's school lookup map before you make an offer.

What people like

Intracoastal Waterway and creek frontage, with private docks on some homes.
A public Rees Jones course where you can play without a private club membership.
A wide mix of homes, from condos to waterfront single-family.

What to weigh first

Highway 17 North traffic is the main way in and out.
About 20 minutes to downtown Charleston, more at rush hour.
Waterfront and marsh-edge lots carry more flood and storm exposure.

Common questions about Charleston National

How much do homes cost in Charleston National?

The median sale was $783,000 across 34 closed sales from Jan 1, 2026 to Oct 21, 2026 (CHS Regional MLS), with most selling between $600K and $1.15M. That's 13% below the median for Mount Pleasant ($895,000). The median price per square foot was $358.

Is the Charleston National golf course private?

No. It's open to the public year round. The club also offers a VIP program with no monthly dues and lower per-round rates.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Charleston National?

Charleston National is in the Town of Mount Pleasant, which permits STRs only under a capped town-wide permit and asks applicants to submit neighborhood covenants. Read the covenants and my short-term rental rules guide.

Is Charleston National in a flood zone?

Waterfront and marsh-edge homes along the Intracoastal Waterway sit lower than homes on the interior. Check the address with my flood zone tool and ask for an elevation certificate.

Can I get a home with a dock in Charleston National?

Yes, some waterfront homes have private docks on the Intracoastal Waterway or a deep-water tidal creek. Confirm the dock's permit and water depth for the specific home.

More about the area: Mount Pleasant guide · all neighborhoods

Sources

Sales figures: closed residential sales recorded under the Charleston National, The Bluff at Charleston National subdivision names in the CHS Regional MLS, Jan 1, 2026 to Oct 21, 2026. Medians, not appraisals. Deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Other details checked against the sources above on October 22, 2026; HOA rules and fees change, so get current documents before you buy.