Adsorption experiments were conducted to study the removal of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) from aqueous solution by a new low-cost adsorbent-activated bamboo charcoal. The results showed that acidic pH was favorable for the adsorption and removal of 2,4-DCP. Higher initial 2,4-DCP concentrations led to higher adsorption capacity. Most of the adsorption of 2,4-DCP occurred within the first 5min, and about 90% of 2,4-DCP were removed from solution. After 5min, the adsorption capacity increased slowly with contact time and the adsorption reached equilibrium in less than 100min. As the adsorbent dose was increased, the removal of 2,4-DCP was increased, while the equilibrium time was slightly affected. Adsorption kinetics could be best described by the pseudo-second-order model, independent of adsorbent dosages. The adsorption behavior of 2,4-DCP onto bamboo charcoal fitted both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms well, but followed Freundlich isotherm more precisely. This study demonstrated for the first time that activated bamboo charcoal could be used for the removal of 2,4-DCP in water treatment.