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Myrtle Beach State Park

 

Myrtle Beach State Park


A wide, open beach, fishing pier full of anglers and stories, campgrounds in the oceanfront woods, all in the middle of it all in Myrtle Beach.

Since 1935, a trip to the beach has meant a stay at Myrtle Beach State Park each year for hundreds of thousands of families from across the United States and Canada.

Located in the heart of the bustling Grand Strand, one of America’s most popular and diverse vacation destinations, Myrtle Beach State Park also is a natural retreat, home to one of South Carolina’s last stands of easily accessible, oceanfront maritime forest.

Programming and a nature center offer visitors the chance to learn more about dolphins, sea turtles and the abundant bird and plant life that grace the leafy park.

  • Designation: Myrtle Beach State Park was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a New Deal Program created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The program was designed to provide employment during the Great Depression while addressing national needs in conservation and recreation.

    The CCC was instrumental in the development of many of South Carolina’s state parks. A number of buildings built by the CCC in the 1930's are still in use at this park.
  • Acreage: 312
  • When & How PRT Acquired: Donated in 1934 by Myrtle Beach Farms
  • Pets: Pets are not allowed in the apartments, cabins or the cabin areas. Pets are allowed in most other outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet.
  • Tour and Programs Information: Fun, engaging and educational programs on a variety of topics are offered year round to raise awareness about the natural resources of the park.

    Myrtle Beach State Park is a "DiscoverCarolina Site", which provides curriculum-based social studies programs for South Carolina school children.
  • Significant Natural Features: The maritime forest has been declared a Heritage Trust Site.
  • Pay Phone on Site: Yes

HOURS

  • Admissions: $4 adults; $2.50 SC seniors;
    $1.50/ child age 6-15; Free for children 5 and younger.
  • Office Hours: M-Fr 8am-5pm; Sat-Sun 11 am-5pm
  • Days and Hours of Operation: Daily 6am-10pm, March through November
    Daily 6am-8pm, December through February

 

Park Programs

Beachcombing

Search for seashells and other beach bounty during this guided walk on one of the best shelling beaches in the Grand Strand. Along the way, we'll discover the fascinating lives of the animals that make seashells, the importance of sand dunes, tide cycles, and how to be a responsible beachcomber.

GENERAL

  • State Park Service 75th Anniversary: Yes
  • Children in Nature Program: Yes
  • Meeting Place: North Beach Parking Lot.
  • What to Bring: Water and sunscreen

HOURS

  • Event Hours: 10:00 to 11:00 am

SCHEDULE

  • March 1, 2009 - May 31, 2009, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    Every Week on Saturday

Snakes and Reptiles

Learn about snakes and their cold-blooded kin in this audio-visual presentation, then get a chance to touch some!

GENERAL

  • State Park Service 75th Anniversary: Yes
  • Children in Nature Program: Yes
  • Meeting Place: Education Center classroom

HOURS

  • Event Hours: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

SCHEDULE

  • March 1, 2009 - May 31, 2009, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    Every Week on Saturday

Coastal Kayaking

Enjoy a two-hour guided tour of the salt marsh. Excellent for beginners, participants need to reserve a spot at the Education Center (843-235-8755) by 4:00 pm Sunday prior to the program. Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring drinking water, sunscreen, and lace-up shoes that can get wet and muddy. Fee: $35/ person. Meet at the Education Center, then caravan to Oyster Landing. (2 hrs.)

GENERAL

  • State Park Service 75th Anniversary: Yes
  • Children in Nature Program: Yes
  • Registration Deadline: Participants need to reserve a spot at the Education Center (843-235-8755) by 4:00 pm Sunday prior to the program. Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Meeting Place: Meet at the Education Center, then caravan to Oyster Landing.
  • What to Bring: Please bring drinking water, sunscreen, and lace-up shoes that can get wet and muddy.

HOURS

  • Event Hours: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

RATES AND DISCOUNTS

  • Fee: Fee: $35/ person.

SCHEDULE

  • March 1, 2009 - October 31, 2009, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    Every Week on Monday

Spineless Wonders

Come get aquainted with some of the wierdest animals in the ocean as we discover that there's more to life than a backbone! A variety of live creatures will be on display in the Wet Lab, so be prepared for a real hands-on experience.

GENERAL

  • State Park Service 75th Anniversary: Yes
  • Children in Nature Program: Yes
  • Meeting Place: Education Center Wet Lab

HOURS

  • Event Hours: 4:00 to 5:00 pm

SCHEDULE

  • March 1, 2009 - May 31, 2009, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    Every Week on Tuesday

Coastal Birding

Huntington Beach State Park is considered by many to be the best birding spot in South Carolina. Come see why for yourself! Local birders, Phil and Sharon Turner, will lead a walk along the causeway to search the freshwater pond and salt marsh for a variety of birds. Depending on the season, we might observe herons, egrets, rails, woodstorks, shorebirds, ducks, bald eagles and more!

GENERAL

  • State Park Service 75th Anniversary: Yes
  • Children in Nature Program: Yes
  • Meeting Place: Meet at the causeway parking lot.
  • What to Bring: Bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them.

HOURS

  • Event Hours: 10 am - 11 am

RATES AND DISCOUNTS

  • Fee: No fee

SCHEDULE

  • March 1, 2009 - October 31, 2009, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    Every Week on Wednesday

Planet Jeopardy

Do you want to make a difference? Come play games that teach you how easy it can be to turn your daily actions into positive impacts on the environment at home, Myrtle Beach State Park, and where ever else you may go! Appropriate for ages 8 and up.

GENERAL

  • State Park Service 75th Anniversary: Yes
  • Children in Nature Program: Yes
  • Meeting Place: Activity Center

HOURS

  • Event Hours: See schedule below

RATES AND DISCOUNTS

  • Fee: Free with park admission

SCHEDULE

  • April 9, 2009, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    Every Week on Thursday

Alligators

Alligators thrive in the ponds at Huntington Beach State Park. These secretive reptiles are commonly seen from the causeway feeding, sunning or cruising in the water. Find out what makes them special and on this 1-hour walk.

GENERAL

  • State Park Service 75th Anniversary: Yes
  • Children in Nature Program: Yes
  • Meeting Place: Causeway parking lot
  • What to Bring: Binoculars if you have them

HOURS

  • Event Hours: Tuesdays 10:00 to 11:00 am, Fridays 6:00 - 7:00 pm

SCHEDULE

  • March 1, 2009 - May 31, 2009, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    Every Week on Thursday

Secrets of the Salt Marsh

Enjoy a unique look at one of the most productive ecosystems in the world and examine some of the inhabitants of the salt marsh.

GENERAL

  • State Park Service 75th Anniversary: Yes
  • Children in Nature Program: Yes
  • Meeting Place: Marsh boardwalk

HOURS

  • Event Hours: 4:00 - 5:00 pm

SCHEDULE

  • March 1, 2009 - May 31, 2009, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    Every Week on Wednesday

Birding

Birding is now one of the top outdoor recreational activities in the U.S. If you've ever wondered what all the fuss is about, this is the perfect way to find out! Designed for the beginning birder, you will start off in a classroom setting where you will learn the basic essentials of birding: how to get the most out of your binoculars, how to use a field guide, and where to start looking for birds. Afterwards, you will get a chance to try out your newly acquired skills during a trip out on the park led by noted birders, Phil and Sharon Turner. Experienced birders are welcome to join the field portion of the program at 11 am at the Education Center.

GENERAL

  • State Park Service 75th Anniversary: Yes
  • Children in Nature Program: Yes
  • Meeting Place: Meet at the Education Center.
  • What to Bring: Bring binoculars and field guides, if you have them. Some are available for loan during the program.

HOURS

  • Event Hours: 10 am - noon

RATES AND DISCOUNTS

  • Fee: No fee

SCHEDULE

  • March 1, 2009 - October 31, 2009, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    Every Week on Friday

From the Forest to the Sea

Experience the natural wonders of Myrtle Beach State Park! The maritime forest will be the gateway that leads us into the vast beauty of the maritime grassland where we will observe colorful flowers, search for flittering butterflies and see what other critters there may be. We will then explore the beach habitat for washed up treasures. This program will consist of a ¼ mile leisurely stroll. Appropriate for ages 7 and up.

GENERAL

  • State Park Service 75th Anniversary: Yes
  • Children in Nature Program: Yes
  • Meeting Place: Nature Center
  • What to Bring: Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather.

HOURS

  • Event Hours: See schedule below

RATES AND DISCOUNTS

  • Fee: Free with park admission

SCHEDULE

  • April 11, 2009 - April 18, 2009, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    Every Week on Saturday

Small Wonders of the Ocean

Many of us are familiar with the adult stages of animals such as barnacles, crabs, fish, and sea stars, but would you recognize them when they were first born or what many marine plants look like? With the aid of microscopes, slides, costumes, and live specimens, you may be surprised to learn what some plants or your favorite coastal animals look like when they are plankton and their importance in the food chain. We will first meet at the fishing pier to put out a plankton net and then journey on to the activity center to see what we caught. Appropriate for ages 8 and up.

GENERAL

  • Meeting Place: Fishing Pier

HOURS

  • Event Hours: See schedule below

RATES AND DISCOUNTS

  • Fee: Free with park admission

SCHEDULE

  • May 6, 2009 - May 27, 2009, 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
    Every Week on Wednesday

Salt Marsh Seining

Discover the abundance of life in this "nursery of the sea" as we explore the rich tidal creeks of the salt marsh. We will use seine nets, dip nets and cast nets to see what unusual creatures call these murky waters home. Wear shoes that can get wet and muddy if you want to help pull the net. Everyone is welcome to observe the unusual sea creatures we catch. Parking is limited; the Bike the Neck Trail is recommended!

GENERAL

  • State Park Service 75th Anniversary: Yes
  • Children in Nature Program: Yes
  • Meeting Place: Oyster Landing (Parking is limited; walk or bike the "Bike the Neck Trail" to Oyster Landing)
  • What to Bring: Water, insect repellent, and clothes that can get wet and muddy. Closed-toe shoes are recommended if you want to pull the net.

HOURS

  • Event Hours: Noon to 1:00 pm

SCHEDULE

  • June 1, 2009 - August 31, 2009, 12:00 AM - 1:00 AM
    Every Week on Tuesday

Map of the Park

For directions to the park from the condo, click here.