MYRTLE BEACH STATE PARK

The last time we were in Myrtle Beach we stayed in a Coast to Coast park in North Myrtle Beach.  It was really nice. However, since it was spring break around here and we did not plan this as far in advance as we normally do, that park was full.  Also, SIL had asked for and received a tent for a Christmas present and he and Daughter wanted to use the tent.  The C2C park did not allow tents. There were openings at Myrtle Beach State Park and they allowed tents on your site.  So there you go, we booked at Myrtle Beach State Park.

As you drive down the highway that runs close to the shoreline in Myrtle Beach, you pass MANY RV parks.  Each of these parks have "catchy" names like "Myrtle Beach Fun 'n Sun RV Park - The place with more fun things for kids and family to do in the sun" or "Family Paradise Island RV Park- Stay with us and see our pirates, pool, and playground".  I was surprised at how many there were and how big they were.

The state park is very beautiful as you drive in.  I didn't expect it to look like it did.  It was very wooded and still in its natural state.

The park has 336 sites and around 66 of those sites have full hook-ups.  There are around 50 sites that have 50 amp and most of the 50 amp are not the full hook-up sites.   Only about 15 of the sites have 50 amp and sewer.  I would imagine, if you wanted one of those sites, you better book way in advance.  We had a 50 amp site with water and electricity.  We have figured out how long we can go without having a sewer connection so we were good.  They also have cabins you can rent.

Mr. W and I set out to explore and look the park over.  They have a really nice hike/bike path throughout the park.  It even continues out of the park, along the road, and over to a shopping center that has a grocery store and some other stores.  Convenient if you want to ride over to the store instead of having to drive.  All of the bike trail is either paved or on a boardwalk.

Mr. W on the hike/bike trail

The park has over a mile of beach front and many, many boardwalk crossovers to reach the beach.  There is a nature center and an activity center.  The rangers were doing 3 activities a day with kids at the activity center.  There are 2 small stores (basic necessities) and one served ice cream.  They have a fishing pier at one of the stores.  There were 2 playgrounds and 2 laundromats.  The laundromats were not as nice as what a review said they were.  Only half the machines were working and the facility was not very clean.  For this size of park, they needed all the machines working. Also, there is only one dump station.

Looking out at part of the shoreline where the fishing pier is.

Looking down the beach from on the fishing pier.

On the fishing pier (Do I remind you of Edith Ann? Some of you probably don't know who Edith Ann is!)

Also on the fishing pier

As soon as we were all set up, the kids (and I'm referring to the "adult" kids and the "kid" kids) wanted to hurry to the beach for some sun and water.  The "adult" kids soon found out that the water was still FREEZING.  That did not stop the "kid" kids.

Since the "adult" kids still wanted to be kids, they decided to take pictures of themselves doing handstands.  Supposedly, all the college kids in South Carolina took pictures of themselves doing handstands while they were on spring break.  So, being college kids at heart, why not follow the trend?  As you will see in the pics below, Daughter smoked SIL in the handstand contest. :)

OK, now wait, hold it......

No, no, wait.......I don't have the pic yet.....

Girls rule.......

One of the playgrounds was in a really big picnic area with many picnic tables and grills.  The sites did not have their own grill.  We decided to take the girls to the playground one evening and grill hamburgers for dinner.  That turned out to a great idea.  The girls were entertained while the adults sat around and visited while grilling.  We had taken the iPod player with us and a song came on that Mr. W likes, so we got up and started dancing.  Hey, life is short.  Dance like no one is looking.

The state park wasn't cheap.  With 6 people on our site, 1 RV and 1 tent, and 2 vehicles, it was $44 a night.  Remember, that is not a full hook-up site.  So, I would definitely go back because it is so pretty and the sites are close but not on top of each other.  But, I might check into some of the other parks too.  It was a great time together and that's what really counts.