Myrtle Beach State Park: The Perfect Family Getaway

This fall, I was invited by South Carolina State Parks to stay in Myrtle Beach. I was excited to have a little weekend getaway because I’d been to Myrtle Beach before.

When I think of Myrtle Beach, I think of high-rises, hustle and bustle, and large flashy attractions like mini golf and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! That kind thing is all well and good, but I’ve been looking for a quieter, more peaceful family destination.

I had no idea that Myrtle Beach State Park was exactly that! My husband and I stayed at Myrtle Beach State Park in one of the cabins with our two children.

Cabins at Myrtle Beach State Park

I hesitate to call it a cabin because it’s more of a beach cottage, but we stayed in Cabin 6, which has four large bedrooms and three full bathrooms.

Everything in these cottages is clean and up-to-date. It felt more like a luxurious Airbnb, just steps away from the beautiful Atlantic Ocean.

It had a fully supplied kitchen, large dining table, huge smart TV, a fenced backyard with a fire pit, charcoal grill, rocking chairs, two picnic tables and a hammock.

The kitchen is equipped with a microwave, toaster, coffee maker, oven, stove and every pot, pan, dish and utensil you can imagine!

There is a hair dryer in every bathroom.

FYI: There is an activities box with board games inside the hall closet. Our favorite was Charades for Kids.

The entire cabin is ADA accessible.

If you are into tent or RV camping, there are plenty of spots in Myrtle Beach State Park. If you are more into “glamping,” then I suggest you enjoy the outdoors by booking a comfy cabin.

Things to Do at Myrtle Beach State Park

Inside this state park, there are tons of things to do. You won’t have to leave the park to fill your day with fun! The number one thing to do would be to visit the beach and the pier. Personally, my kids could spend the entire day on the beach and be happy!

There are a few companies that offer horseback riding on the beach for a fee during the winter months. I rode with the Grand Strand Horseback Riding company: 843.358.4002. All of their horses were named after Disney characters, so I naturally fell in love with all of them. They are super professional and have a deep love for these horses. I highly recommend doing this. It’s a gorgeous way to experience Myrtle Beach, but remember, horseback riding is only offered at the park in December, January and February!

There are activity and nature centers located in the park. They have crafts, lessons and activities for the whole family. Be sure to check the weekly schedule.

Just steps away from the boardwalk is a new playground. If you have kids under 10, you’ve got to check it out. My kids had so much fun that we had to drag them away when it was time to go.

Fishing supplies and bait are sold from the park store, right on the beach connected to the pier.

At this little store, they also have some pretty delicious ice cream. There’s nothing like walking down the boardwalk on the beach with an ice cream cone in your hand and the sea breeze in your hair. It’s paradise!

Bring your bike (I wish I had!) because there are quite a few biking and hiking trails throughout this state park.

FYI: There is super-fast, free Wi-Fi throughout the park. I was working, streaming, posting and searching—and I never had a problem with the internet.

The Best Part of Our Visit

The best part of our visit to Myrtle Beach State Park was waking up early to watch the sunrise on the beach. It was magical!

If you haven’t seen an East Coast sunrise, you’ve got to come experience this!

How to Book a Trip to Myrtle Beach State Park

I’ve been to Myrtle Beach in the past. Experiencing this beach through the state park is the right way to do it. I felt close to nature but still just a short drive to all the flashy attractions.

When I go back next year with my extended family, we will be staying in the state park. There is so much we didn’t get to see and do. In my opinion, the state park is the best way to visit Myrtle Beach.

Escape the hustle and bustle of the season and spend a holiday in a South Carolina state park! Click the link to explore Myrtle Beach State Park and other South Carolina state park destinations.

Meg Harrell