Sight guide · Myrtle Beach · United States
Visiting Myrtle Beach State Park
South of the city centre, South Carolina's first state park, opened in the 1930s, protects one of the last stretches of maritime forest on the Grand Strand.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: w:User:Isipeoria, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Myrtle Beach State Park is a park in Market Common, Myrtle Beach. Allow 2–3 hours; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Park
- Area
- Market Common
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- nature, outdoors, kids and off the beaten path
- 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 Myrtle Beach State Park
South of the city centre, South Carolina's first state park, opened in the 1930s, protects one of the last stretches of maritime forest on the Grand Strand. A nature trail runs through the trees to a quiet beach and a fishing pier, and there is a campground.
Tip: Walk the Sculptured Oak Nature Trail, then fish or watch the sunrise from the pier.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 2–3 hours.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Market Common, planned town centre on the former Air Force base, near the airport.
Best time to visit Myrtle Beach State Park
Myrtle Beach State Park 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
Our 3-day Myrtle Beach itinerary visits Myrtle Beach State Park on day 2, together with Broadway at the Beach, The Market Common and Murrells Inlet MarshWalk.
- No. 9 of the 15 sights in our Myrtle Beach things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 5-day plan.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Myrtle Beach.
- A family favourite in Myrtle Beach with kids.
Near Myrtle Beach State Park
Also in Market Common, so you can walk between them:
- The Market Common — 2 hours, free
If you like Myrtle Beach State Park
- Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach — Broadway at the Beach, 2 hours
- Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya — Murrells Inlet and Garden City, Half a day
- Cherry Grove Pier and Marsh — North Myrtle Beach, 1–2 hours
Staying near Myrtle Beach State Park
Stay in Market Common ($$$) to walk here: planned town centre on the former Air Force base, near the airport. All areas to stay in Myrtle Beach.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Myrtle Beach State Park?
Plan 2–3 hours. With The Market Common nearby, it fits a half-day in Market Common.
+Is Myrtle Beach State Park free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Myrtle Beach State Park?
April–May and October for the most comfortable weather. Walk the Sculptured Oak Nature Trail, then fish or watch the sunrise from the pier.
+Do I need to book Myrtle Beach State Park in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Myrtle Beach State Park 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.