Along the far-reaching stretch of Grand Strand coastline, Myrtle Beach State Park sits nestled among oceanfront maritime forest. A quiet, and surprisingly green, escape from the otherwise bustling beach, the park provides educational opportunities, a nature trail and some of the best surf fishing South Carolina has to offer as well as stunning ocean views and another great fishing spot on Myrtle Beach pier.
As far as Myrtle Beach campgrounds go, the parks’ is among the most popular, providing guests with Myrtle Beach pier and shoreline access as well as cozy sites tucked away under the towering trees. If the Myrtle Beach campgrounds aren’t for you, overnight guests may also stay in one of six rental cabins, built by the CCC in the 1930s.
Fishing Information: Enjoy fishing or crabbing from the pier or surf fishing for flounder, king mackerel, whiting, trout, spots, spanish mackerel, drum and blues. Learn how to identify some of the common fish and crabs caught off of the pier and the rules and regulations associated with certain fish and crabs. Fishing for sharks is prohibited from the fishing pier.
South Carolina requires all individuals fishing from the shore/surf to purchase a saltwater fishing license. Licenses can be purchased from bait stores and major retailers or online through SC Department of Natural Resources.No surf fishing is allowed on the beach where lifeguards are on duty.
Fishing rod rentals: Fishing rods can be rented from the pier gift shop for $20/day. A refundable $25 deposit is required for each rod rented. Each rod rented comes with one (1) daily fishing pass. Rods must be returned an hour before the pier gift shop closes.
Fishing Pier: The park has a fishing pier that stretches out into the Atlantic Ocean for prime fishing. You DO NOT need a South Carolina fishing license to fish from the pier; however, you do have to pay for daily fishing. Costs for pier fishing are as follows: daily: $5 age 16 and older; $3.25 SC senior 65 and older; $2.50 children ages 6-15; free ages 5 and under.
An annual pass for the calendar year is available. The pass includes park admission and is $125/adult, $81/SC senior and $60/child. These can be purchased at the pier.
Fishing: Yes
Saltwater Fishing: Yes
Playground Equipment: Yes
Picnic Shelters: Yes
Playground: The park has two main playgrounds for visitor fun! One is located in the main picnic area near the beach, and the other is in the campground located between circles three and five. There are also some tire swings behind Shelter #1.
Swimming Area with Lifeguard: Horry County lifeguards are stationed on the beach north of the pier from mid-May until mid-Sept.
Swimming: Swimming is permitted anywhere in the Atlantic Ocean at your own risk.
Bird Watching: Bird watching is a popular activity at the park. A birding list is available in the Nature Center or you can download a copy here. Great times for bird watching include the spring and fall migration periods.
Biking: Yes
Birding: Yes
Other Facilities and Activities: A recreation area has horse shoes and bocce ball for overnight guests near the Nature Center. A cornhole game is also located beside the ranger station. Equipment for the games is located inside the ranger station.
Equestrian Trails: Beach access is available beginning the third Saturday in November and continues through the last day of February for horseback riding. There is a $25.00 permit for each horse that enters the park. The permit is only for the horse. The daily admission still applies. Horses are not allowed in the park overnight. Riders must have current Negative Coggins papers for each horse brought into the park (per SC Code of Laws, Act 13, 1976, Sec 1, Chapter 13, Title 47).
Walking/Nature Trails: The Sculptured Oak Nature Trail provides a rare opportunity to see one of the last stands of maritime forest on the northern coast of South Carolina.
Biking Trails: You may bike on the nature trail and throughout the park, as long as you are careful and obey traffic rules. Please use caution when encountering walkers. There are restrictions during the summer months for riding bikes on the beach.
Bikes are not allowed on the beach from 10am-5pm, seven days a week, from May 1 through Labor Day. This is a county ordinance that is effective on all public beaches in Horry County.
CAMPING
Camping Information: The main campground provides individual water and electrical hookups. The overflow campground is for tents only, does not provide electricity and has central water.
Many sites accommodate RVs up to 40 feet, others up to 30 feet. There are also plenty of sites to accommodate smaller units including tents. All sites are convenient to hot showers, restrooms and laundromat facilities. All sites have complimentary wi-fi access. The campground is located approximately 300 yards from the beach.