Along the east coast in the state of South Carolina, there is a captivating stretch of coastline called the Grand Strand, and Myrtle Beach right in the center is the heart of it all.
From the relaxing sound of the Atlantic surf to panoramic sunrises, Myrtle Beach is a magical place with plenty to do. There’s the Skywheel on the Boardwalk, the Intercoastal Waterway, the Cabana District, and last but by no means least, Restaurant Row. These sights and places cover a lot of ground; they are just the beginning of the excitement you can enjoy in Myrtle Beach.
When you are ready to explore the natural beauty of South Carolina, state parks are an excellent way to get a taste of the great outdoors. With over 90,000 acres from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Atlantic, state parks cover a wide variety of natural scenic settings; there are five parks located near Myrtle Beach for you to discover. Come along with us as we visit these beautiful South Carolina outdoor destinations.
Map of State Parks Near Myrtle Beach SC
Here is a map of the South Carolina state parks covered in this post:
List of State Parks Near Myrtle Beach
1. Myrtle Beach State Park
Distance from Myrtle Beach: about 4 miles southwest of Myrtle Beach (straight-line).
Location: 4401 S Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29575
South Carolina’s first state park is just minutes away from the bustle of Myrtle Beach. With 312 acres of undeveloped and pristine wetlands and one of the last stands of natural maritime woodlands, Myrtle Beach State Park is a tranquil reprieve that offers everything from beach-combing and fishing to hiking and picnicking.
You can also visit the on-site Nature Center and participate in educational opportunities or head to Myrtle Beach Pier, equipped with a tackle shop ready to provide everything you’ll need for your angling adventures. The shop sets you up with a daily fishing license and fishing gear, including bait—and a bonus—a knowledgeable and helpful staff who share information about salt-water shore and pier fishing to help you reel in the big one.
Myrtle Beach State Park has plenty of camp and tent sites; if camping isn’t your thing, there are six cozy ocean-side cabins for rent.
Helpful tip: From learning about the sea turtles that live here in the ocean to the snakes and lizards that inhabit the park, The Nature Center offers fascinating events and programs most of the year.
See our full Myrtle Beach State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
2. Huntington Beach State Park
Distance from Myrtle Beach: about 17 miles southwest of Myrtle Beach (straight-line).
Location: 16148 Ocean Hwy, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Huntington Beach State Park, located 30 minutes south of Myrtle Beach, has so much to offer, from saltwater marshes and golden sunrises, an imaginative castle, gorgeous pristine beaches, and birds, yes birds—the park is known as one of the top bird-watching sites along the eastern seaboard.
The castle that graces the grounds is called Atalaya Castle. The structure and the property were donated to the state of South Carolina in 1960. Atalaya is now used as a backdrop for weddings, gatherings, and an annual juried arts and crafts festival and is interesting to explore.
Besides a gorgeous three-mile beach, there’s other major attractions—Murrells Inlet (great for paddling), Brookgreen Gardens, the nature center, and walking and biking trails. There’s also camping, picnicking, wildlife observation, swimming, and fishing.
Helpful tip: The best spots for bird watching are off of Sandpiper Pond Nature Trail and on the marsh side of the causeway. To grab a gander at a gator, check out the freshwater side of the causeway and on the road leading up to the Atalaya Castle.
See our full Huntington Beach State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
3. Lake Waccamaw State Park
Distance from Myrtle Beach: about 47 miles northeast of Myrtle Beach (straight-line).
Lake Waccamaw State Park is a North Carolina state park in Columbus County, North Carolina, in the United States.
Highlights associated with Lake Waccamaw State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and coastal dunes.
See our full Lake Waccamaw State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
4. Lumber River State Park
Distance from Myrtle Beach: about 48 miles north of Myrtle Beach (straight-line).
Lumber River State Park is a North Carolina state park along the Lumber River in Scotland, Hoke, Robeson and Columbus counties.
Highlights associated with Lumber River State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and coastal dunes.
See our full Lumber River State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
5. Little Pee Dee State Park
Distance from Myrtle Beach: about 49 miles northwest of Myrtle Beach (straight-line).
Location: 2400 Park Access Rd, Dillon, SC 29536
If you are looking for a naturally beautiful and out-of-the-way slice of outdoor heaven, Little Pee Dee State Park, a little over an hour northwest of Myrtle Beach in the South Carolina Sandhills region, is just the ticket.
The blackwater Little Pee Dee River, Norton Lake, and the Carolina Bay with its salt rim are intriguing features of this simple, low-key state park with a focus on providing a down-to-earth outdoor adventure. A lot is going on in Little Pee Dee: picnicking, camping, fishing, paddling, boating, biking, and hiking are activities the entire family (or group) can enjoy.
Norton Lake and Little Pee Dee River are famous for fishing; catfish, bass, and bream are abundant. Little Pee Dee Swamp and Beaver Pond Nature Trails are both excellent for hiking and exploration, and you can bike along any paved road in Little Pee Dee. The park is also home to part of Carolina Bay, an egg-shaped geological depression found along the Atlantic Coast with a white sand rim. There are many speculations about how the salt rim got here; one theory is that it may have possibly been an ancient ocean coastline.
Helpful tip: The Little Pee Dee park site information cites that there is no WiFi available, so be prepared to truly “check out” and enjoy the great outdoors in this neck of the woods.
See our full Little Pee Dee State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
Drive Times from Myrtle Beach
The Grand Strand’s state parks are remarkably close — most within 30 minutes:
- Myrtle Beach State Park — 15 minutes (3 miles south of downtown, on US-17 S)
- Huntington Beach State Park — 25 minutes (15 miles south, past Murrells Inlet on US-17)
- Brookgreen Gardens — 25 minutes (across from Huntington Beach, pair them as a combo trip)
- Hunting Island State Park — 3 hours (south near Beaufort — worth the drive for the lighthouse)
- Jones Lake State Park (NC) — 1 hour 45 min (north across the NC border, for quieter lake experiences)
Huntington Beach: South Carolina’s Crown Jewel
Consistently ranked among the best state park beaches on the East Coast, Huntington Beach offers what the commercial Myrtle Beach strip cannot — pristine, undeveloped shoreline. What makes it special:
- Atalaya Castle: The stunning Moorish-style winter home of Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington. Free to explore with park admission. The annual Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival (September) draws thousands.
- Birding: One of the premier birding sites in the Southeast. The salt marsh boardwalk offers views of egrets, herons, roseate spoonbills, and painted buntings. Over 300 species recorded.
- Sea turtles: Loggerhead turtles nest on the beach May through August. The park offers guided turtle walks during nesting season.
- Camping: 173 oceanfront campsites — some of the most coveted reservations in the SC state park system. Book 11 months in advance for summer weekends.
Best For Quick Reference
- Best for Escaping the Crowds: Huntington Beach — The antidote to commercial Myrtle Beach. A $5/adult entrance fee keeps things peaceful.
- Best for Families with Small Kids: Myrtle Beach State Park — The beach is calmer than the public beaches, plus a nature center, playground, fishing pier, and supervised splash areas.
- Best for Photography: Huntington Beach — Atalaya Castle at golden hour and the salt marsh boardwalk at sunrise are iconic shots.
- Best for Fishing: Myrtle Beach State Park’s fishing pier — permits available at the pier, no boat needed. Whiting, flounder, and spot in season.
Seasonal Highlights
- Spring (March–May): Ideal beach weather (70s°F) without summer crowds. Migratory birds return to Huntington Beach marshes. Brookgreen Gardens’ butterfly house opens.
- Summer (June–August): Peak beach season. Water temps reach 80°F+. Sea turtle nesting at Huntington Beach. Camp reservations sell fast — book by January.
- Fall (September–November): The Atalaya Arts Festival in September is a major draw. Crowds thin dramatically after Labor Day. Excellent surf fishing starts in October.
- Winter (December–February): Mild 50s–60s°F. Huntington Beach is peaceful for hiking and birding. Some campgrounds remain open year-round with lower rates.
