If you want to visit Myrtle Beach but skip a little of the resort development, concrete and crowds you should consider staying at Myrtle Beach State Park. The park is just a few miles south of the center of the city. This means you don’t have to stay where all the hotels are but you do not have to miss any of the attractions. In fact you and your family can eat in the same restaurants, visit the same shows and go shopping in the same stores – if this is what you are into – while you stay at the park. There are some things you will miss. Like the crowded beaches found by the hotels. And if you relax by spending a lot of time in the park you will also get to miss the traffic, waiting with your fidgety children (at the many places that have long lines) and constantly looking for a parking space whenever you venture out in your car.
How about more specifics about the park? The campground in the park is large but cozy, and nestled underneath a high canopy of pine trees. The ocean is just a few hundred feet away. The maximum you will pay for a site is $30. There is free internet wireless too.
At the beachfront there is a nice boardwalk, a picnic area and a large fishing pier. The boardwalk is at the back of the dunes and along the edge of a large beach access parking lot. If you have kids, you will also find plenty for them to do. There are playgrounds in the campground and by the beach. The park offers many programs that range from hands on demonstrations to talks that feature Myrtle Beach’s local wildlife. Learning about local nature is further promoted by the nature activity center. It has live animals and numerous displays.
If you are staying in the park or just visiting for the day there are grilles and picnic tables scattered in various areas of the park. If you wanted to have a party, group picnic shelters can be rented for the day. Do remember if you are going to grille in the park that you will need to bring your own briquettes.
The pier is a great place to do some fishing in the ocean. You do not even need to bring a pole since you can rent one from the store found at the piers entrance. No license is required for fishing but you will have to pay a few (less than $5) to use the pier for fishing. If you just want to take a walk out over the ocean, you can do so for free. In addition to renting fishing poles the store there sells basic fishing supplies. Bait, ice, drinks and snacks are also sold.
The final notable activity is the opportunity to do a bit of hiking. The park protects a few hundred acres of maritime forest. This habitat type is rare along the heavily developed Grand Strand so it is an unusual site for Myrtle Beach. There are two trails, each about a half mile long. They are flat and relatively easy to walk. If you do want to hike, do be sure to bring some bug repellent. The forest is nice to see but there are plenty of mosquitoes.
However you are able to visit and enjoy the park, it is surely something different for anyone that travels to Myrtle Beach.
Kris Mcvey is a Georgia boy but he does love to visit different places, including getting out his home state. He enjoys visiting beaches and camping in state parks, including places like Myrtle Beach State Park and First Landing State Park.
{ 0 comments… add one now }