Camping near Murrells Inlet, South Carolina offers tent and RV sites at several campgrounds within 15 miles of the coastline. The area sits at sea level along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, creating unique camping opportunities with both direct beach access and inland water views. Sites on concrete pads are common in many campgrounds, helping campers manage the persistent coastal sand.
What to do
Bird watching and wildlife photography: Huntington Beach State Park Campground features multiple habitats for wildlife viewing. "Do not miss saying hi to the wildlife on your way in. The egrets, herons, and gators are a beautiful sight heading to the camp sites and beaches. Great photo opportunities at Atalaya," notes one visitor.
Fishing from piers and docks: Bucksport RV Resort and Marina provides access to freshwater fishing along the Waccamaw River. "Visited this past spring. For us it's a nice day spot for fishing and kayaking. Camping available but spots (with shower house) are limited," reports one reviewer.
Mini golf and arcade games: Ocean Lakes Family Campground offers on-site recreation without leaving camp. One camper shares, "This is a little city within a city. Great place to camp for the whole family. You don't have to leave for anything. They have a store, fat food spot, laundry, gift shop, pools, mini golf, etc."
Biking on dedicated trails: Many campgrounds feature extensive bike paths both within the grounds and connecting to nearby attractions. "Very sizable campground with great beach access, trails and marsh area. Bring your bikes to truly enjoy the environment," advises one Huntington Beach State Park camper.
What campers like
Convenient beach shuttle services: Myrtle Beach KOA provides transportation to nearby beaches during peak season. A visitor notes, "We were able to walk safely to the beach in 15-20 minutes while the rest of our party stayed at the RV."
Clean, modern bathhouses: Bathroom facilities receive particular attention from reviewers, with frequent cleaning mentioned as a major plus. "Bath houses are nice and clean, splash pool is top notch, putt putt, food, and the beach here is really nice," shares a camper at Pirateland Family Camping Resort.
Multiple pool options: Many campgrounds feature multiple swimming areas for different age groups. "Pirateland Family Camping Resort offers a water park for kids and beach access. Lots of bathhouses and the showers are hot. You can rent golf carts at an affordable rate," explains one visitor.
Waterfront campsites: Campsites with direct water views command premium rates but deliver memorable experiences. "We camped here in a Class C and Class A motor home numerous times. The most family friendly campground in south Myrtle Beach with direct beach access, easy to enjoy during a morning stroll," explains a Lakewood Camping Resort visitor.
What you should know
Site spacing varies dramatically: Most campgrounds feature tight site spacing, particularly during peak season. "The sites are close but the area around the campground is beautiful close to the beach," notes a visitor to Myrtle Beach State Park Campground.
Golf cart culture dominates: Lakewood Camping Resort and similar campgrounds have active golf cart communities. "Everyone here drives golf carts. There is actually golf cart traffic at night because there are so many golf carts. People sit in traffic and high five each other as they go by," explains an Ocean Lakes camper.
Winter camping offers longer stays: Seasonal policies favor extended winter visits. "WE camped here in 2018 winter and had a very good time. Other than February and if you are older than 55 or so you must move out after 2 weeks. In February they allow 4 weeks stay," explains a Myrtle Beach State Park camper.
Early check-out times: Standard check-out times run earlier than many campers expect. "On the busiest weekend it's difficult for everyone to exit at 10AM," notes a KOA visitor. Many campgrounds strictly enforce these times, especially during peak season.
Tips for camping with families
Reserve splash pad time in advance: During peak season, water features often require timed reservations. "We were required to reserve pool time and arcade time. The beach area is great as well as the store and funnel cake stand," notes a visitor at Myrtle Beach Travel Park.
Choose concrete pads when available: Sand management becomes a major challenge for family camping. "We had a campsite with a concrete pad and full hookups. The concrete pad was very nice to have because the sand was hard to keep up with. I couldn't imagine how much sand there would have been in the camper if we were on sand," advises an Ocean Lakes camper.
Consider tiny house rentals: Some campgrounds offer cabin alternatives. "Two of my children and their families are renting the tiny houses that are available for rent. My husband and I will be in our camper. It will be the hub for the family gatherings," shares a Carolina Pines visitor.
Secure beach chairs early: Beach seating requires early morning setup. "Get up early and set up beach chairs. No one will take them and it will ensure you get a spot on the beach. We did this everyday," recommends an Ocean Lakes camper.
Tips from RVers
Expect tight navigation: Many campgrounds feature narrow roads with challenging turns. "Lots and lots of trees. Need to drive very slowly to campsite. All sites sand based. Lots of trees on some of the camping sites one would need to navigate around," cautions a Myrtle Beach State Park visitor.
Consider winter visits for longer stays: Sun Outdoors Myrtle Beach and other parks offer extended winter camping options. "We have stayed at Carolina Pines 4 times with the last time being for a month. It was a wonderful experience with the staff providing activities, especially on the weekends," shares one RVer.
Prepare for varying hookup configurations: Some sites have unconventional utility setups. "We had one of the ancient spots with shared power pole that we had to use converter to use the remaining 50amp. Feel sorry if you were a class A rig and needed the 50 and only had 40 left," warns a KOA visitor.
Request corner sites when possible: Corner locations provide additional space and easier access. "Our site was on a corner, level and easy to get into - 34 ft class A with toad. Lots of room to park our car," mentions a Myrtle Beach State Park visitor.
