Things to do nearMyrtle Beach State Park

Myrtle Beach State Park was established in the 1930s through the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps, and several of the original structures built by CCC workers still stand within the park today, giving the grounds a quiet sense of history that contrasts sharply with the resort development that surrounds it on all sides. The park preserves roughly three hundred acres of maritime forest, a habitat that has largely disappeared elsewhere along the Grand Strand as commercial development expanded through the twentieth century. Inside that forest, a network of nature trails winds beneath a canopy of longleaf pine, live oak, and wax myrtle, passing through scrub habitat that supports a surprisingly diverse range of wildlife including white-tailed deer, box turtles, and dozens of migratory bird species.

The beach itself is the park's centerpiece, a broad and gently sloping stretch of Atlantic shoreline that feels noticeably quieter and cleaner than the heavily trafficked beaches a short drive away. Swimmers, sunbathers, and families with children all find the water here approachable, and a lifeguard is typically on duty during the summer season.

The park also offers cabin rentals and tent and RV campsites set among the trees, making an overnight stay possible for those who want to experience the coast after the day visitors have gone home. A small nature center near the entrance provides educational exhibits on local ecosystems and is worth a stop before heading to the trails. For anyone visiting the Myrtle Beach area who wants a morning or afternoon away from the noise and crowds of the resort strip, Myrtle Beach State Park offers something genuinely restorative.