Myrtle Beach State Park
RV Guide

Introduction

Myrtle Beach State Park is a destination that combines South Carolina's legendary sandy shoreline with the preserved natural beauty of a maritime forest. This oasis is home to a popular campground, an active pier, and a beautiful stretch of coastline that is filled with plenty of recreational activities. Always keeping things unique, this state park likes to help its visitors interact with their surroundings. There are nature programs and interpretive gatherings that welcome kids of all ages. It's a very family-friendly, pet-friendly environment, so everyone is going to enjoy it here.

Only 300 yards from the beach, the campgrounds are an ideal setting to park your rig and really feel like you're getting a vacation. Though quite busy in summer, the sites are shady, welcoming, and feature full hookups or water and electric connections at each campsite. Who wouldn't want to wake up to that salty breeze? Whether you want to get out and enjoy these settings by bike, on horseback, in the water, or with your own two feet, the park makes it easy to enjoy your favorite outdoor pastimes. This east coast destination is sure to be one on the "favorites" list and can be visited all year round.

RV Rentals in Myrtle Beach State Park

Transportation

Driving

Getting to Myrtle Beach State Park is quite easy, especially since it's located along the Grand Strand region of South Carolina's coast. The park will be found just off of South Kings Highway and just a few miles south of the entrance to Myrtle Beach. Once on the park's grounds, you'll still find well-paved, level roads that are easy to navigate with an RV.

Need to pick up any last-minute supplies before you park your RV? There are plenty of stores within the main Myrtle Beach area, along with the cities of Conway and Florence. There is also a camp store within the park that has a small selection of food and other supplies.

Parking

If you are just visiting the park for the day, there is a parking area right near the beach that you are welcome to use. Parking is free, but you will have to pay the park entrance fee in order to use it. If you have an RV over 40 feet in length, you won't be able to fit into the sites within the campground.

Public Transportation

Campgrounds and parking in Myrtle Beach State Park

Campsites in Myrtle Beach State Park

Reservations camping

Myrtle Beach State Park Campground

If you have an RV and want to stay at Myrtle Beach State Park, there is one campground perfect for your needs. This campground is one of the largest in the state, so get ready to choose from 278 RV-friendly sites! Despite the grand size of Myrtle Beach State Park Campground, it is quite cozy, and it is just a hop, skip, and a jump from the beach.

The RV sites are pet-friendly and offer either full hookups or standard sites with water and electric only. Since this is a beachside campground, the rig size is on the smaller end, with space for RVs up to 40 feet in length. There are some great campground-wide amenities, including flush toilets, hot showers, a dump station, a laundromat, and even free WiFi! You can also visit the camping store if you need any last-minute supplies (did someone say twice-baked potatoes?), so you won't have to leave the campground if you forgot any minor things.

There is a two-night minimum stay, and reservations can be made with only 24-hour advance. Making that reservation means you won't have to worry about getting turned away, and if you're down to the wire and making a last-minute reservation, you're required to call the park instead of going through the online portal.

Myrtle Beach KOA

There is no better place to go for an exciting, beach-themed vacation than Myrtle Beach. There’s so much to enjoy in the area, from the water parks to golf courses, the large variety of restaurants, and, of course, the beaches. In the midst of this coastal city, Myrtle Beach KOA has something for everyone and serves as an ideal spot to set up camp. The KOA has plenty of amenities, like Wi-Fi, cable TV, a swimming pool, fishing, a dog park, and bike rentals.

Sites are available to accommodate rigs up to 80 feet long, so if you are traveling in a larger motorhome, you should consider staying here since the campground at Myrtle Beach State Park is only suitable for rigs up to 40 feet in length. Myrtle Beach KOA is open all year round, and reservations are recommended in order to guarantee that you will have a place to stay during your visit.

First-come first-served

First Come, First Served Camping

Myrtle Beach State Park's Campground is open year-round, with reservations required for most sites. A few campsites are held out of the reservation system to allow for passing visitors and other drive-up campers. So, it is possible to get a site without reservations, but if you're planning on arriving during peak seasons, don't get your hopes up. Summer months and holiday weekends are busy days for this state park, especially because of its ideal location by the beach. Early spring, late fall, and through winter, you'll certainly have more opportunity, but as such a popular place, it's still advised to plan accordingly by securing a spot.

Alternate camping

Overflow Tent Campground

Tent camping is permitted at any of the sites within the Myrtle Beach State Park Campground. If you are visiting during the busiest time of the year (from the Easter Weekend until Memorial Day), there is another campground that opens just for tents. Known as the Overflow Campground, there are 30 sites here that have water access but not electric or sewer hookups.

You are also welcome to use the bathrooms and hot showers within the campground, and you should be able to connect to the free Wi-Fi that the park offers. There are no reservations for the Overflow Campground, but if you do want to make a reservation, you can do so at a spot in the main campground.

Cabins

If you want to get out of the camping trailer for a few nights, you should consider staying in one of the cabins. There are six cabins that are located closer to the beach and are somewhat removed from the main campground. You have the choice between four two-bedroom, one three-bedroom, and one four-bedroom cabin, so there are plenty of size options available. All of these units provide air conditioning and heat, are fully furnished, and have a TV. All linens (bath and bedroom) are provided, as well as basic cooking and eating utensils.

There is usually a two-night minimum stay; however, from April through September, the minimum stay is one week. Please note that no pets are allowed to stay within the cabins, and reservations should be made before your arrival.

Seasonal activities in Myrtle Beach State Park

In-Season

Playgrounds

When you've got little ones, you've got lots of energy to burn off during the day. The playground is a perfect, safe location to get the kids moving. There are two main playgrounds in the park. You'll find one at the main picnic area near the beach. This location is great for families who want to do more than just sit down for lunch. Another playground is situated between campground circles three and five; a great spot for families staying overnight.

Patch Programs

Patch Programs are a great way to make your fantastic RV vacation an educational experience. Anyone who is five years and older (that means adults, too), can join in this state park's unique take on learning. Get a total of nine patches to become a Habitat Hero, and even earn a unique tenth patch - the Sea Turtle Patch - when you attend three Sea Turtle Patrol programs. Be sure to check the park website to see when the Patch Programs are happening during your stay.

Biking

Be sure to pack up your bikes, especially when your main wheels are going to stay (mostly) parked. Biking is one of the best ways to get around and see as much of the park as you can. The nature trail is open to biking, though please be cautious of hikers along the path. Feel free to venture all throughout the park, as long as you remain vigilant and obey all traffic rules. Biking can even be done on the beach, however, only before 10:00 AM and after 5:00 PM.

Saltwater Fishing

A South Carolina fishing license is required to partake in shore or surf fishing, however, the park's fishing pier is open to everyone. This prime point for casting your line stretches far out into the Atlantic. Didn't bring your rod? Equipment rentals can be made at the pier gift shop. Expect a daily cost for fishing the pier, but also anticipate snagging a few good catches. King mackerel, flounder, trout, and others are sure to take a couple of bites.

Ocean Swimming

If you're brave enough to take on the surf - dive on in! Swimming in the Atlantic is permitted, but all at your own risk. Lifeguards of Horry County are stationed along the beach on the northern end of the pier, however, they only watch these waters from mid-May until mid-September. For this reason, only strong swimmers should brave the waters as they can be very dangerous, depending on the tide and the currents.

Off-Season

Beachcombing

There are many marine treasures waiting to be found here, washed ashore from the Atlantic. Some of the best times to go beachcombing is around low tide and after rougher seas from a storm. A good tip: always search along the water's edge and wrack line (high tide line). So many shells, plants, and creatures end up getting beached. Just be sure to return any live specimens back to the waters.

Bird Watching

The 312-acre park provides plenty of landscape for all sorts of bird species. Some common sightings include waterfowl, sandpipers, and herons. You can grab a birding checklist online or at the Nature Center. Spring and fall migrations are the best time to get your binoculars out, so remember to pack them in your campervan before you depart on your trip. Another South Carolina hotspot for birding is Huntington Beach State Park, which is only 20 minutes away!

Self-Led Scavenger Hunts

Another great way to learn about the park and take in all this landscape has to offer, is through scavenger hunts. There are two educational hunts that each take about an hour to complete. Both include a mile-long walk. With these scavenger hunts, the whole family can set out to explore the maritime forest or the entire park. Make it even more interesting by trying the scavenger hunt BINGO.

Horseback Riding

Horses can be ridden along the beach from the third Saturday in November on through the last day of February. An additional fee must be paid for every horse that enters the park on top of the daily admission fee. Overnight stays are not permitted, however, the state park is the only available section of Myrtle Beach where horses are allowed. There's nothing quite like looking out across the ocean atop such a creature. Venture along the beach, take the trails, and wander through wetlands.

Walking the Nature Trails

The trails that wind through the forests of Myrtle Beach State Park give access to a vast range of oak, wax myrtles, poplars, magnolias, and more. The interpretive trails, Yaupon Nature Trail and the Sculpted Oak Nature Trail are all relatively easy to navigate and relatively flat. They are short walks that are full of natural history and teeming with wildlife. When you don't want to walk through the forest, there's always the boardwalk, the pier, or numerous walkways that wind throughout parking and picnic areas.