Myrtle Beach State Park is South Carolina's first state park (1936) — 312 acres of oceanfront maritime forest that its manager calls, in this page's lead interview, the only publicly accessible green space on the beach in Horry County: a quiet, tree-covered counterpoint to the high-energy Grand Strand around it, balancing heavy visitor use against preserving the forest.

Myrtle Beach State Park: South Carolina's First State Park | Myrtle Moments

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

An interview with Troy Crider, park manager of Myrtle Beach State Park, on what makes this 312-acre oceanfront forest unique: South Carolina's first state park (1936) is the only publicly accessible green space on the beach in Horry County — a quiet, tree-covered counterpoint to the high-energy Grand Strand around it — and how the park balances heavy visitor use with preserving the maritime forest for the future.

Key takeaways
  • Myrtle Beach State Park was South Carolina's first state park, established in 1936
  • Its 312 acres are the only public beachfront green space in Horry County
  • The tree canopy noticeably muffles the sounds of the surrounding resort strip

Myrtle Beach, SC State Park Fishing Pier Tour 2026 – What to see on your Vacation!

Beachin with the Boones

Beachin' with the Boones spend a day at Myrtle Beach State Park: they walk the fishing pier with its coin viewfinders (Springmaid and Surfside piers visible down the coast), dodge the carpenter bees, watch planes on final approach overhead, and show the beach, ramps and park atmosphere that keep locals coming back to this wooded oceanfront park.

Key takeaways
  • The park's pier has classic coin-operated viewfinders aimed at neighboring piers
  • A newer sloped ramp improved wheelchair access from the pier area
  • The park sits under the airport flight path — plane-spotting is part of the experience

Outdoor Things to Do in Myrtle Beach: Gardens, State Parks & Wild Places | Myrtle Moments Ep 4

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

A Visit Myrtle Beach 'Myrtle Moments' documentary on the wild side of the Grand Strand: five places most visitors drive straight past — Brookgreen Gardens' 9,000 acres of sculpture, zoo and botanical gardens, both oceanfront state parks, and the longleaf pine and salt-marsh preserves inland — told through the rangers and conservationists who protect them.

Key takeaways
  • The episode tours five natural places within minutes of the resort strip
  • Brookgreen Gardens alone covers 9,000+ acres of a former rice plantation
  • Both Myrtle Beach and Huntington Beach state parks appear as the coast's protected wild places

The full tour

Carmen and Brian's 2025 film answers its own title — is it worth visiting? — walking the entrance lanes off Kings Highway, the ranger station, the nature center, the campgrounds (outer loops hear road and air traffic; the inner loops are quiet), the trail network, the fishing pier and the beach. Their cabin film stays inside Cabin 4 with family in it: screened porch, fire pit, outdoor shower, each cabin a little unique, positioned directly across from the beach path — the walk to the sand, timed.

The pier and the shoreline

The Boones' pier day walks the fishing pier with its coin viewfinders (Springmaid and Surfside piers visible down the coast), dodging carpenter bees under planes on final approach. Their Fourth of July film walks in from Second Avenue Pier along the shoreline — holiday crowds giving way to the park's wooded, quieter sand. The wild-places documentary closes the regional frame: both oceanfront state parks and the preserves inland, told by the people who protect them.

Sources: the 6 videos on this page, filmed at Myrtle Beach State Park.

Watch: Myrtle Beach State Park, guided

3 videos · summaries from the actual guides

What is Myrtle Beach Like on the 4th of July Weekend? Morning Beach Walk to the State Park Pier.

Beachin with the Boones

A Fourth of July walk that starts at Second Avenue Pier and follows the shoreline south into Myrtle Beach State Park — a watch-only look at the holiday beach crowd giving way to the state park's wooded, quieter stretch of sand.

Is Myrtle Beach State Park Worth Visiting? Full Tour!

Carmen and Brian

Carmen and Brian's 2025 full tour answers their title question — is Myrtle Beach State Park worth visiting? Entrance lanes for passholders and day visitors off Kings Highway, check-in at the ranger station, the nature center, the campgrounds (outer loops hear road and air traffic; the inner loops are quiet), the trail network, the fishing pier and the beach — a complete walk of the 312-acre oceanfront park just south of the city line.

Key takeaways
  • Day visitors and passholders use separate entrance lanes
  • Campground loops nearer the nature center are the quiet ones
  • Nature center hours are limited — check before you go

Myrtle Beach State Park Cabin 4 Tour & Review in South Carolina! New Updates!

Carmen and Brian

Inside Cabin 4 at Myrtle Beach State Park, with family actually staying in it: the screened porch, fire pit and grill outside, an outdoor shower, and how the cabins differ — each is a little unique and they sleep different numbers. Cabin 4 sits directly across from the beach path, and the film times the short walk to the sand; their relatives give their verdict on staying in the park's cabins.

Key takeaways
  • The park's cabins each differ in size and sleeping capacity
  • Cabin 4 is directly across from the beach-access path
  • Screened porch, fire pit, grill and outdoor shower included

More Myrtle Beach essentials

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