Is fishing included in park admission?
No. To fish off the fishing pier, you must pay an additional daily fishing charge. Also, fishing is not included with the purchase of a state park passport either. You do not need a SC State Saltwater fishing license to fish from the pier. If you have a SC fishing license, you still have to pay our daily fishing charge. You do need a SC State Saltwater fishing license to fish from the beach. Please see the S.C. Dept. of Natural Resources rules & regulations for more information.
If there aren’t any picnic shelters available, can I still have a picnic spot?
There are picnic tables and grills located throughout the park in the day use area. These are on a first come, first serve basis. You are also allowed to set up your own picnic tent and bring your own grill/cooker if you desire to do so.
Are there lifeguards on the beach at Myrtle Beach State Park?
Lifeguards are provided from Memorial Day to Labor Day and are located north of the fishing pier only.
When are dogs allowed on the beach?
Horry County prohibits dogs on the beach from May 1 thru Labor Day from 10am to 5pm. Dogs must always be on a leash 6 feet or shorter.
May I bring my golf cart to the park?
Golf carts are permitted on the park. Golf carts must be operated by a licensed driver, must stay on paved roads, must obey normal traffic laws and must be licensed and insured. You cannot operate a golf cart at night on the park.
Is Myrtle Beach State Park very busy on weekends during the summer months?
The park can get extremely busy on weekends during the summer months. The wait time to get into the park can range from 1 minute to 45 minutes. Grills, picnic tables and your preferred parking spots may not be available later in the day. It is best to arrive in the morning!
Is wi-fi available at the park?
Complimentary wi-fi is available in the campground at Myrtle Beach State Park, as well as the pier gift shop and ranger station located near the campground entrance.
Once I am admitted into Myrtle Beach State Park am I allowed to leave and come back?
If you retain your receipt from the park admission booth, you can come and go the same day. You might want to be mindful of how busy the park is, because you could be caught in the line to get back in! If you forgot something, be sure to check one of the two stores in the park to see if you can find your item there. Also, since we are fortunate to live in an area that offers two state parks within 17 miles of each other, if you pay admission to Myrtle Beach State Park, all you have to do is show your receipt to the admission attendant at Huntington Beach State Park that same day and you get two parks for the price of one!
When can I observe a sea turtle?
Sea turtles lay their eggs on SC beaches May through August and they hatch July through September. MBSP does not see a large number of nesting turtles. The amount of nests the park averages per year ranges from 0 to 8. We don’t recommend walking the beaches at night trying to observe nesting sea turtles. It can be very easy to disturb them! If you should encounter a turtle: please keep your distance, stay quiet, keep all flashlights off, stay behind her and no flash photography.
Does the park have any safety tips for beach goers?
Always put on plenty of sunscreen throughout the day. Leave the beach when it’s thundering or lightning.
When swimming: know how to swim, swim in a lifeguarded area, never swim alone or at night, don’t go out too deep, stay 150 yards or 450 feet away from the fishing pier. Review with your friends and family how to swim out of rip currents (swim parallel to the beach). We have rip current signs at every single boardwalk.
When you are done for the day, please leave the beach in better shape than you found it! Pick up all trash and beach paraphernalia (even someone else’s), fill in any holes, and smash any sand castle or sand art (these create hazardous obstacles for sea turtles).
If I camp or stay in a cabin, do people visiting me for the day still have to pay park admission?
Yes. If your guests are not staying overnight in the park they are required to pay the daily admission fee. If you have guests coming into the park for multiple days there is a 7 day admission pass that can be purchased for $65.
If I have a large group coming to the park, can we pay for park admission in advance?
Yes. The park has a wristband system so you can purchase admission in advance and receive wristbands to distribute to your guests prior to their arrival at the park, however, you must purchase your wristbands 10 days prior to your arrival so please plan accordingly. Contact the park office for more information about this program.
When are horses allowed in the park?
Beach access for horseback riding is available beginning the third Saturday in November through the last day of February. There is a $60 permit fee for each horse per season. Daily admission still applies. Horses are not permitted on the roads or in the park overnight. Owners must have a current Negative Coggins for each horse to obtain a season permit. A certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) is required for out of state horses. For further information on crossing state lines with equine, visit South Carolina Equine Import Requirements. Commercial permits are required for those businesses conducting riding experiences on the beach. Please contact the park office for more information on commercial permits.
Where is the park’s Ultimate Outsider stamp located?
Our Ultimate Outsider stamps are located in multiple locations throughout the park. These include: the admission booth, park office, ranger station, pier gift shop, and nature center.
Where can I find a list of state park rules and regulations?
You can find the South Carolina State Park rules and regulations, along with campground rules and regulations at this link.
For more general, statewide frequently asked questions, please click here.
First Day Hikes