Today is the day you escape from the billboards, buzz, and flare that we all love about Myrtle Beach to a serene, secluded, protected beach with a pier. Yep, this exists! Myrtle Beach State Park offers visitors a wide variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking trails, fishing, swimming, camping, picnicking, boating, golfing, horseback riding, and much more.
Myrtle Beach State Park located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, just south of The Market Common. As you turn to enter Myrtle Beach State Park from Business 17, all of the bright colors of Eagles, Wings and Bargain Beachware of Myrtle Beach drift away and you’re surrounded by trees. All of the shelters and even the playground are neutral colors and wood. The entire park is beautiful and natural. The boardwalk along the beach has unobstructed views of the ocean, and even the beach is calmer. Hotels are far away. The chairs and umbrellas along the beach are bright, solid colors – giving the views a very pretty aesthetic – perfect for photos, of course! Also, there is plenty of parking. Can you tell I love this place?
It was established in 1936, the first park to open in the system. There are several different areas within the park, such as the beach area, the nature center, the campground, and the pier. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful views of the ocean at the beach area. 278 campsites allow people to stay overnight and enjoy the outdoors.
Myrtle Beach State Park Playground
Two playgrounds provide plenty of entertainment for kids. Both are large and surrounded by trees, providing plenty of shade. Kids enjoy the slides and things to climb while moms enjoy the benches.
Tip: if you decide to go, I suggest bringing a change of clothes.
I’ve gone many times to visit the playground, then the pier. Instead, my child will see ocean, take off his socks and shoes off and run off in the sand. What child can resist the ocean? The beach is expansive. With plenty of parking, this is an excellent spot for a beach day.
Sculptured Oak Nature Trail at Myrtle Beach State Park
It’s fun to explore the walking trails with kids! Head out on the trail to explore “one of the last stands of maritime forest on the northern coast of South Carolina.”
Myrtle Beach State Park Pier
The pier shop has a penny squashing machine which is extraordinarily exciting for young kids. I’m sure you remember this – put the change in the machine, choose your design, and crank the handle. After cranking it many times, a flattened penny with your chosen design comes out. WOW IT IS AMAZING.
The shop also offers plenty of snacks, fishing gear, fishing gear rentals, and Myrtle Beach gift shoppy things to buy.
Fishing at Myrtle Beach State Park is a fun activity with kids, too!
Fishing at Myrtle Beach State Park
Let’s go fishing! If you’re looking for a fun activity that doesn’t involve slogging beach chairs through the sand, take the kids fishing at Myrtle Beach State Park. You’ll pay the state park entrance fee if you’re not an annual pass holder, which is $8 per adult and $4 for kids ages 6-15, and free for kids younger than 5.
Myrtle Beach State Park pier offers rod rentals and fishing bait, making this an easy adventure if you don’t own all of the equipment. Rod rentals are $25 with an additional $25 refundable deposit. The pier is big enough to spread out so if you’re a little unwieldy with your casting (🙋♀️) you won’t poke someone’s eyeball. Here’s a video of one of our trips:
We caught enough fish to keep it exciting – but all were small fish we threw back in the ocean. Highlight: a shark popped up to eat one of the fish we tossed back. Also dolphins swam by!
Look for sharks off of the pier
The most fun thing to do on the pier is climb to see the water. So, I have one arm very tightly around my curious son. He watched the waves and pointed out sea creatures that included jellyfish and a SHARK. I ABOUT DIED. A real shark was swimming in the water! The thing looked huge. Even though I know they loiter around piers, I have never seen one. I was able to keep my composure but had the typical neurotic “WHAT IF” mom thoughts about falling off the pier. This did not happen. The fishermen told us the best viewing spot to find the sharks was the corner and they said 5 or 6 had been swimming around that day. OMG. AND THEN he commented “them sharks are about 3 times the size of that boy.” Thanks, Fisherman. Really.
Plan your visit
Myrtle Beach State Park is open year round. However, there are certain times when the park is closed due to weather conditions. Always make sure to check the park’s website before going so you will know what days and times the park is open.
Myrtle Beach State Park
Explore the hiking trails, oceanfront boardwalk, playgrounds, fishing pier, and more at this beautiful state park located right on the ocean.
Photos
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We camped at MB State Park once when I was young. It was a lot of fun. I haven’t been back since then. We are heading to MB next Sunday for vacation. We may check out the State Park while we are there if we need a change of scenery. Plus, we love smashing pennies. We’ve been doing it everywhere we can find a machine since my son was born. He usually spots them before I do now.