Sight guide · Myrtle Beach · United States
Visiting Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya
Across US 17 from Brookgreen, this state park has about 5 km of undeveloped beach, a salt-marsh boardwalk and a freshwater lagoon on the entrance causeway where alligators are often seen.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Fran Trudeau, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya is a beach in Murrells Inlet and Garden City, Myrtle Beach. Allow half a day; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Beach
- Area
- Murrells Inlet and Garden City
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- nature, outdoors, history and kids
- Best months
- April–May and October
Plan a trip to Myrtle Beach
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
About Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya
Across US 17 from Brookgreen, this state park has about 5 km of undeveloped beach, a salt-marsh boardwalk and a freshwater lagoon on the entrance causeway where alligators are often seen. Atalaya, the Huntingtons' Moorish-style winter house with a square tower, can be toured.
Tip: Stop on the causeway and scan the lagoon on the left for alligators and wading birds; it is one of the best birding spots in the state.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: Half a day.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Murrells Inlet and Garden City, fishing village restaurants on a salt-marsh boardwalk, with a beach town next door.
Best time to visit Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya
Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- October: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 6 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- April: 23°C (73°F) highs, about 7 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- May: 27°C (81°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, busy crowds.
When to visit Myrtle Beach has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade and SkyWheel Myrtle Beach.
- No. 8 of the 15 sights in our Myrtle Beach things-to-do list.
- Day 5 of the 5-day plan.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Myrtle Beach.
- A family favourite in Myrtle Beach with kids.
Near Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya
Also in Murrells Inlet and Garden City, so you can walk between them:
- Brookgreen Gardens — half a day, mid-priced
- Murrells Inlet MarshWalk — 2–3 hours, free
If you like Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya
- Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach — Broadway at the Beach, 2 hours
- Myrtle Beach State Park — Market Common, 2–3 hours
- Cherry Grove Pier and Marsh — North Myrtle Beach, 1–2 hours
Staying near Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya
Stay in Murrells Inlet and Garden City ($$) to walk here: fishing village restaurants on a salt-marsh boardwalk, with a beach town next door. All areas to stay in Myrtle Beach.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya?
Plan half a day. With Brookgreen Gardens nearby, it fits a half-day in Murrells Inlet and Garden City.
+Is Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya?
April–May and October for the most comfortable weather. Stop on the causeway and scan the lagoon on the left for alligators and wading birds; it is one of the best birding spots in the state.
+Do I need to book Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Myrtle Beach. Myrtle Beach is built for family holidays: gentle beaches with lifeguards in season, oceanfront hotels with lazy rivers, mini golf on every corner and attractions from aquariums to old-fashioned amusement parks.