HUNTINGTON BEACH STATE PARK, SC
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
📅 Date visited: 12/27/2024
⏰ Check-in / Check-out Times: Site check-in is 2 p.m. and check-out is 12 noon.
📍 Address/Grid Coord: 16148 Ocean Hwy, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
🌐 Website/Social Media Link: https://southcarolinaparks.com/huntington-beach
📞 Phone: 843-237-4440 / 866-345-7275
💲 Pricing Details/Discounts: $97.16 (nightly fee including tax/fees). Detailed pricing for each site type can be located on their above website.
🅿️ Site Used: 140 (South Campground)
⌚ Length of Stay: 3 day’s
☝️ Max Length of Stay Permitted: 14 nights per site. Maximum cumulative (total) stay for most parks is 42 out of 49 days. Campers must leave the park for 7 days after reaching the maximum cumulative (total) stay. Example: For a campsite in the peak season, in for 14 nights, switch sites for another 14 nights, switch sites for another 14 nights then they must leave for 7 nights (42 out of 49 nights camping). During peak season, high volume parks may shorten the maximum cumulative (total) stay during Peak Seasons to the 14-day consecutive stay nights.
🚘 Vehicle and Rig Specs: Ford F-350, DRW - Cedar Creek 375BHO, Length: 43’ Height: 13’ 6”, 50amp service.
👨👩👧👧 Family Demographics: 2 Adults, 2 Kids (Under 10)
🐶 Pets: Huntington Beach State Park is a dog friendly park year round, and they are allowed on the south end of the beach. Dogs are prohibited in buildings, including Atalaya and on the north end of the beach. The north end extends from the beach access at the north parking lot to the jetty. Pets are allowed in camping areas. All pets must be on a leash no greater than 6 feet or crated at all times. They cannot be left unattended in a vehicle or on the campsite.
📱 Cell Service Used: T-Mobile 5G.
📶 Other Cell Service Quality: All three carriers had average signal strength and performance.
Source: CoverageMap LLC.
💻 Internet Service Used: T-Mobile 5G and Starlink
🛰️ Starlink Accessibility: Tree coverage is prominent throughout the park. Starlink is still functional but may incur obstructions at most sites. Shore side sites 145 – 155 in the South Campground have the best NE access.
Source: Starlink App Speed test and Obstruction Reports
📡 Campground WiFi Quality: Park WiFi available and performed well.
🛀 Facilities and 🏊🏻♂️ Amenities: Facilities and amenities are very good for this State Par. In addtion to the campground, the grounds also include picnic shelters, a gift shop, hiking trails, beach access, wedding venue, nature center, ice cream shop, playground and historic Atalaya Castle (winter home of Archer and Anna Huntington).
🔢 Total Number of Sites and General Condition: 173 total RV Sites (107 standard with W/E only, 66 FHU). There are also 6 rustic tent sites.
⛺ Tent Camping Permitted: Yes
♿ Handicap Accessibility: Yes
🔌💧🚽 Electric, Water & Sewer details: Yes, mixed. W/S/E (both 30/50amp) on FHU sites. W/E sites are mostly 30amp.
👋🏻 Assigned sites or FCFS: Selected during reservation.
👀 Site selection/location assistance: Upon arrival, the front gate attendant directed us to the Gift Shop where parking is available for RVs to check-in. The front desk was very helpful and provided map and all information on how to get to our site. Park Rangers and maintenance routinely patrol this park.
🔒 Gated Access: Yes (attendant).
🚧 Road Condition: Very good; roads are well maintained.
⛽ Gas: Exxon (4 miles) and Speedway (4.5 miles)
🛒 Grocery: Food Lion (5.5 miles) and Wal-mart (7.7 miles)
🚩 Local Area Attractions / Amenities:
Brookgreen Gardens (0.5 miles) - Beautiful sculpture gardens, zoo, and butterfly house.
Murrells Inlet MarshWalk (3 miles) - Waterfront boardwalk with restaurants and live music.
Wild Water & Wheels (5 miles) - Water park with slides, go-karts, and mini-golf.
Myrtle Beach State Park (13 miles) - Beach access, nature trails, and fishing pier.
Ripley's Aquarium (16 miles) - Interactive aquarium with touch tanks and mermaid shows.
Broadway at the Beach (17 miles) - Entertainment complex with shops, restaurants, and attractions.
WonderWorks (17 miles) - Interactive science exhibits and laser tag.
Family Kingdom Amusement Park (18 miles) - Beachfront amusement park with rides for all ages.
Alligator Adventure (21 miles) - Reptile park featuring alligators and other exotic animals.
Barefoot Landing (23 miles) - Waterfront shopping and dining complex with a carousel and playground.
✏️ General Feedback / Review: Nestled along the Atlantic coast of South Carolina, Huntington Beach State Park is a 2,500-acre natural wonder that offers visitors an unparalleled blend of pristine beaches, diverse ecosystems, and rich history. This coastal paradise boasts 3 miles of unspoiled beach, perfect for sunbathing, beachcombing, and swimming. Inland, you'll find lush maritime forests and expansive salt marshes teeming with wildlife. A haven for nature enthusiasts, the park is home to an abundance of wildlife, including over 300 bird species, alligators, and loggerhead sea turtles, making it renowned as one of the best birding sites on the East Coast.
The park's crown jewel is the unique Moorish-style Atalaya Castle, the winter home of Archer and Anna Huntington, built in the 1930s and now a National Historic Landmark. This architectural marvel offers visitors a glimpse into the area's fascinating past. For outdoor enthusiasts, the park provides a wealth of activities, including hiking trails that wind through diverse habitats, allowing for up-close wildlife observation. Fishing, boating, and cycling are also popular pursuits.
Education is a key focus at Huntington Beach State Park, with its interactive Education Center offering visitors the chance to learn about local ecosystems and wildlife through live animal exhibits and engaging displays. For those looking to immerse themselves in nature for an extended stay, the park's campground offers a range of sites with modern amenities.
The park's appeal extends beyond its boundaries. Adjacent to the park, you'll find Brookgreen Gardens, a stunning sculpture garden and wildlife preserve. Just a short drive away, the charming fishing village of Murrells Inlet beckons with its renowned seafood restaurants and picturesque MarshWalk.
Whether you're seeking a peaceful beach getaway, an adventure in nature, or a journey through history, Huntington Beach State Park offers a memorable Lowcountry experience that will captivate visitors of all ages and interests.
