Occupying the center of the popular 60 mile long coastal area known as the “Grand Strand” in South Carolina and known for wide sandy beaches, family-friendly attractions, shopping and outdoor adventures, Myrtle Beach is one of the East Coast’s most popular vacation destinations. With a highly developed ultra-touristry area, it’s entire shoreline has succumbed to commercialization. Our last visit to this area was back in 2014 (see our posts “Our Next Stop Myrtle Beach” and our “Myrtle Beach State Park Review“). Even though this destination is too commercialized for our taste, we decided to add it to our itinerary so we could catch up on a little rest and relaxation.

Most of the commercial private “campgrounds” here are basically enormous high priced parking lots. Our preference back in 2014 and on this trip was to reserve a site at Myrtle Beach State Park, a 312 acre oasis of natural terrain with a mile of undeveloped beachfront. The park which offers 140 water/electric sites plus 138 water/electric/sewer (full hookup) sites, has numerous features and is popular with equestrians. However, anyone planning on staying here should realize that the campground is older and the sites are nestled among the coastal canopy of live oaks, palmettos and other vegetation so there is a high degree of variability in site size and shape. It is imperative that visitors research and carefully choose their site. 

Most would not consider this campground to be “big rig friendly”, but we have been here a few times in a big rig as mentioned most recently in 2014 and haven’t had any issues. However, big rig drivers should be confident of their abilities before entering due to some narrow passages and tight turns.

If you want to get an idea what the drive in and out is like, check out this unedited dashcam video:

Note there is an issue with some of the audio. All the tree branches were high enough for our 13’2″ height. We stayed on the same site #209 we had 11 years ago which is a heavily treed, but a relatively easy back-in.

Our activities while here included strolling the beach, hanging out on the fishing pier, hiking the trails, enjoying a campfire and generally just taking it easy.

 

Following a decent breakfast at Rave’s Restaurant in nearby Surfside City, SC, we headed to Murrells Inlet, a historic fishing village known for its laid-back coastal charm and rich lowcountry character, located just south of Myrtle Beach.  Often called the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina,” the inlet is lined with waterfront restaurants where fresh shrimp, oysters, and local catch are daily staples.

The Marsh Walk, a wooden boardwalk that borders the salt marsh, is the heart of the area, offering scenic views, live music, and opportunities to spot dolphins, herons, and pelicans.

There are also several fun boat tours offered here including the Pie Eyed Parrot Sunset Cruise and the Brew Boat! And for the kids, there’s a pirate adventure aboard the Sea Gypsy!

Another great place to visit is Broadway at the Beach, one of Myrtle Beach’s most popular entertainment complexes, offering a lively mix of attractions, dining, shopping, and nightlife in a walkable setting around a central lake. Being a weekday during the off season, this sprawling destination was pretty deserted during our visit.

Ripley’s Aquarium, WonderWorks, amusement rides, arcades, and interactive exhibits that appeal to families and adults alike are among the many major attractions found here.

And for the more adventurous, enjoy a ride on a Beach Rider Jet Boat!

 

Back at the State Park, we attempted to walk the Yaupon Trail. But alas, within a few minutes, we had to turn back – we were being eaten alive by skeeters! UGH!

All too soon, our five days of rest and relaxation were over! Time to move on to our next stop – Lake Aire RV Park in Hollywood, SC. We had stayed at this park in March of 2025 when we visited Charleston (see these posts, A Visit To Charleston, On A Very Slow Road To A Tea Garden,  The Majestic Angel Oak and Caw Caw?). No need for an extended stay for sightseeing this time – we had seen enough last Spring. Just a quick overnight stay on site E4.

The next day, we would be travelling to another familiar campground. Stay tuned to read about those adventures!