About 20 miles up the coast from Georgetown, 2,500-acre Huntington Beach State Park is home to some of the best surf-fishing and bird-watching opportunities in South Carolina. The park also has a campground with more than 100 standard tent and trailer campsites, which have water and electric hookups along with picnic tables and campfire rings. Full hookup sites with water, sewer and 30-amp electricity are also available, along with a few primitive hike-in tent campsites. Sites range from shady and secluded to open and spacious, and the campground includes an RV dumping station, drinking water spigots and modern restrooms with flush toilets and hot showers.
Myrtle Beach State Park is a 45-minute drive northeast from Georgetown, and although it features one of the most popular campgrounds in the area, this secluded 312-acre park is considerably more quiet than the bustling coastline of the nearby city of Myrtle Beach. In spite of its small size, this park has more than 250 campsites, with amenities similar to those at Huntington Beach, including restrooms, showers, water, sewer and 30-amp electric hookups. Many campsites can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet in length, and Myrtle Beach State Park also has six rental cabins, a camp store and on-site laundry facilities.
Huntington Beach and Myrtle Beach state parks are open year round, and the recreational opportunities are plentiful. Long stretches of beach in both parks provide excellent opportunities for swimming and sunbathing, and with a current South Carolina fishing license you can catch numerous saltwater fish species from the coastal waters. Lifeguards are posted during summer, but swimming is allowed at your own risk during other parts of the year. The beaches may be among the main attractions at these parks, but there's plenty to offer inland as well. Both parks have hiking and biking trails as well as picnic areas and shelters, and Myrtle Beach State Park also offers equestrian trails.
Camping is available year round at these state parks, and you can place a campsite or cabin reservation by calling 866-345-PARK (7275) or through Reserve America (reserveamerica.com). Nightly rates vary depending on the amenities available at your specific site. Unreserved campsites may be claimed on a first-come, first-served basis, but due to the popularity of the parks, reservations are advisable, especially on holidays, weekends and during the busy summer season.
