Huntington Beach State Park
Coast
Kathryn Gompers
Park Manager
Welcome to Huntington Beach! My name is Kathryn Gompers, and I am the park manager. For me, becoming a park ranger was all about chance. From the first day on the job, I knew being a Park Ranger was the perfect career for me. During my career I have worked at several parks that range from the mountains to the sea. I have fallen in love with every park I have worked at. I get to protect wildlife and resources for future generations. It is so inspiring to meet visitors who go to these parks with the same love that I share. I have my dream job.
My favorite spot at Huntington is the Causeway. It is easily accessible, a fantastic view, as well as the perfect area to see some amazing wildlife. It makes driving into the park such a magical experience!
If you're a first-time visitor to Huntington Beach, you must go to Atalaya! It was the residence of Anna and Archer Hyatt Huntington. It is fun to explore the house and learn its history. Afterall -- if it wasn’t for the Huntingtons, we would not have this amazing state park to explore!
**Our Ultimate Outsider stamp is located in the gift shop.
A sweeping Grand Strand beach, pristine and wide open, stands as one of the most recognizable South Carolina landmarks. Revel in sea-breeze camping, the finest surf fishing South Carolina has to offer and some of the top bird-watching on the East Coast. That’s not all Huntington Beach State Park has to offer.
There are also South Carolina landmarks such as Atalaya, the picturesque, Moorish-style winter home of Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington, philanthropist and sculptor, respectively, who left the park and adjacent Brookgreen Gardens as their legacy.
Nature lovers also will enjoy the park’s wide variety of programming, including the chance to see loggerhead turtles and other endangered plant and animal species up close. The park’s freshwater lake is a sure-fire place to see alligators and sometimes even a mink or two.
Art lovers, meanwhile, flock by the thousands to the prestigious, juried Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival held each September in and around the former home of Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington.
BY THE NUMBERS
1
National Historic Landmark, Atalaya, the winter home of Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington
3
miles of pristine beach for swimming, running, fishing or just relaxing
173
campsites. 107 standard campsites with water and electric, 66 full-hookup sites with water, sewer and electric
6
rustic tent sites for tent camping only
3
picnic shelters available for group gatherings
300+
species of birds have been spotted within the park
1
popular annual arts and crafts festival, held every September for over 40 years in the Atalaya home
2500
acres located in Murrells Inlet for you to enjoy