There are so many amazing campgrounds in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The trick is finding the one that best suits your personal camping style. In this campground roundup, we review eight great Myrtle Beach Campgrounds, from state parks to huge resorts. Pick your favorite and start planning your next trip to one of America’s favorite RV destinations.
Myrtle Beach is an oceanfront city in South Carolina that happens to be one of the premier RV destinations in the country. It’s often pictured as a touristy wasteland of boardwalk rides and t-shirt shops. But in our many visits we’ve discovered the other sides of Myrtle Beach.
The state parks offer an abundance of opportunities for nature exploration and activities. The renown Brookgreen Gardens is a world-class botanical experience. The food scene has exploded with places like Johnny D’s Waffles and legendary Road Food joints like the Early Bird Diner. And of course, there’s the kitchty and ridiculously fun music productions. Myrtle Beach is truly a place like no other.
In Myrtle Beach there are activities for every type of visitor, and there are campgrounds for every type of camper. Gorgeous state parks, huge family resorts, or wooded retreats in the heart of the Grand Strand…here’s the best of the best.
For more information on our favorite activities in Myrtle Beach, check out our recent article in Trailer Life Magazine. You can also browse through our Myrtle Beach tag to read our many blog posts from previous visits!
State Parks
Myrtle Beach State Park
- Beachfront location? Yes
- Location perks: Located on the south end of Myrtle Beach. This campground is quiet, yet very close to all the Grand Strand action.
- Hook ups: Myrtle Beach Campground has 278 campsites in total. 138 are full hookup with electric, water, and sewer.
- Amenities: Well-stocked camp store, one-mile of beach, fishing pier, playground, picnic area, and nature center.
- Activities: The state park has daily activities scheduled in the high season and a weekly schedule in the off season.
- General vibe: Quiet with a hum of activity. This campground is a good middle ground between resort camping and Huntington Beach State Park, which is more remote.
Huntington Beach State Park
- Beachfront Location? Yes
- Location perks: This state park campground is extremely peaceful, and a world away from the Myrtle Beach boardwalk scene. Murrels Inlet and Pawleys Island are known as a quieter, more residential area of Myrtle Beach. There are plenty of nearby restaurants and shopping. It’s practically across the street from Brookgreen Gardens. The downside? Its a bit of a drive to the Grand Strand.
- Hook ups: Huntington Beach State Park has a total of 173 campsites. The campground has 107 standard campsites with water and electric, plus 66 full-hookup sites with water, sewer and electric.
- Amenities: This simple campground is a bit removed from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the state park. There’s easy access to the beach.
- Activities: Campers have access to all the state park activities. There’s lots of kayaking, canoeing, and fishing opportunities. This is a birding sanctuary, with plenty of alligator viewing and extensive nature programs for children and adults. There’s also the onsite National Historic Landmark of Atalaya which offers a great self guided tour.
- General vibe: This is an amazing state park campground. Visitors will experience a quiet, peaceful camping experience with a host of natural experiences right on site.
Private Parks
Myrtle Beach KOA
- Is it beachfront? No. The Myrtle Beach KOA is a few blocks inland from the beach. A beach shuttle runs during the day.
- Location perks: This is a wooded retreat right in the heart of the action. The campground is located just a short walk to the boardwalk, mini golf, zip lining, and the Skywheel.
- Hook ups: Full hook ups are available.
- Amenities: This KOA has a pool, splash pad, heated pool, playground, jump pad, golf cart rentals, camp store, game room, and snack stand.
- Activities: The Myrtle Beach KOA offers weekly scheduled activities including capture the flag, skit performances, and campground karaoke.
- General vibe: This campground has a unique blend of family campers and snowbirds. It offers a community vibe close to downtown Myrtle Beach.
Myrtle Beach Travel Park
- Is it beachfront? Yes
- Location perks: This is the most popular campground in North Myrtle Beach. It provides easy access to the Grand Strand and Broadway at the Beach. If you are interested in many music shows and boat tours, this will be a convenient location.
- Hook ups: Mostly full hook up campsites, with a few water and electric only sites.
- Amenities: Outdoor swimming pool with sun deck, new splash pool, heated indoor pool, lazy river, basketball court, beach volleyball court, horseshoe pits, playground, freshwater lake for fishing, open air shelter and picnic pavilion.
- Activities: Year-round pool parties, live concerts, fishing tournaments, and family olympics.
- General vibe: Myrtle Beach Travel Park offers resort amenities, but folks often comment that it’s a little less overwhelming than some of the other resort options featured in this roundup. There are a significant number of seasonal sites and mobile home sites with permanent or year long residents. People return to this campground year after year because it’s generally affordable for the resort amenities offered.
Ocean Lakes Family Campground
- Is it beachfront? Yes
- Location perks: This campground is just south of the Myrtle Beach boardwalk. It’s a quick drive to many popular activities.
- Hook ups: Full hook ups are offered at Ocean Lakes Family Campground.
- Amenities: 2-acre family fun center with pools, waterslides, sun deck, cafe, lazy river, and splash zone. The camp center features a restaurant, a fluff-n-fold, and even an RV center and supplies store.
- Activities: recreational activities like basketball, volleyball, bike rentals, mini golf, and nature center. There’s a full lineup of activities for adults and children on a daily basis.
- General vibe: This is more of a camping city than a campground. With 859 campsites and 2,566 annual lease sites, it’s the largest campground on the east coast and one of the largest in the country. If you want a beach vacation at a campground with every possible on-site amenity, this is your spot.
Pirateland Family Camping Resort
- Is it beachfront? Yes
- Location perks: Pirateland is located directly south of Myrtle Beach State Park, so you can enjoy the amenities of a resort, plus the activities and natural beauty at the State Park.
- Hook ups: Full hook ups
- Amenities: Themed waterpark, indoor pool, 18-hole mini golf, paddle boat and kayak rentals, playgrounds, and recreation room.
- Activities: full calendar of scheduled family-friendly events
- General vibe: Pirateland is a family resort camping with an emphasis on kid-friendly fun. Check out our complete review of the campground here.
Lakewood Camping Resort
- Is it beachfront? Yes
- Location perks: Lakewood is a short drive south of Myrtle Beach boardwalk, nestled between Ocean Lakes and Pirateland.
- Hook ups: Full hook up campsites are offered.
- Amenities: Pool, waterslides, lazy river, mini golf, golf cart rentals, and beach-front amphitheater.
- Activities: faith-based activities make Lakewood stand out in the crowd of camping resorts in Myrtle Beach. They offer daily VBS for kids during the peak season and weekly gospel concerts in the beachfront amphitheater.
- General vibe: People mention the rules and security here a lot. The general atmosphere provides all the Myrtle Beach resort camping amenities in a more buttoned down environment. This is attractive for some visitors.
Carolina Pines (Opening in Summer 2019)
This campground is set to open in the summer of 2019, but we just had to include it in this roundup. It is owned by Sun Communities, which operates some of the best campgrounds in the country.
- Is it beachfront? No.
- Location Perks: Carolina Pines is a campground is located in Conway, South Carolina. This town is close to Myrtle Beach but has a small college town feel to it.
- Hook Ups: Full hookup campsites will be offered.
- Amenties: Carolina Splash Waterpark, arcade, mini golf, yoga studio, and bistro.
- Activities: a full schedule of special events and themed weekends will be offered.
- General Vibe: It looks like they are aiming for the latest trend in RV resorts, offering the same type of amenities you would find in a 5-star hotel resort environment. We look forward to the opening in the coming year!
It can be overwhelming to choose from the many Myrtle Beach Campgrounds that are available. The good news is that there are so many amazing options. Hopefully this roundup will help you pick the best one for your next camping trip.
See you at the campground,
Stephanie + Jeremy
