Dog-Friendly Camping near Murrells Inlet, SC

Huntington Beach State Park Campground offers year-round pet access throughout its camping areas, with the North Beach section providing dedicated pet-friendly accommodations. The campground features full hookup RV sites, primitive tent areas, and cabins where leashed dogs are welcome. Seasonal considerations affect site selection, with some areas experiencing drainage issues during winter rain periods. Less crowded during weekdays, the campground maintains consistent 6-foot leash requirements and provides multiple trail options suitable for daily pet exercise.

What to do

Explore historic ruins: Visit Atalaya Castle within Huntington Beach State Park Campground, a Spanish-style former winter home with distinctive architecture. "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 Theresa M.

Waterfront recreation: Take advantage of the Intracoastal Waterway access at Hideaway RV Park, which offers kayak rentals and fishing opportunities. "It's on the intracoastal waterway. Recently under new management. There are kayaks for rent, activities, a pool, store on site, etc," explains Candy H.

Photography excursions: Bring your camera to capture wildlife, particularly during morning and evening hours when lighting is optimal. Kevin A. mentions, "We love this park to walk the beach, watch the birds and just relax. Sites are spread out and spacious. We had a full hookup site this weekend #86."

Golf cart tours: Rent a golf cart to explore larger properties efficiently. At Ocean Lakes Family Campground, "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. There is so much traffic that people set up chairs in the side of the road so they can watch the traffic."

What campers like

Proximity to uncrowded beaches: Many campgrounds offer direct beach access without the typical Myrtle Beach crowds. Werner S. remarks that at Huntington Beach, "The beautiful beach is just at your doorstep and nature on the other site. We loved the combo."

Diverse water features: Most campgrounds supplement ocean access with alternative water options. Carolina Pines RV Resort provides "indoor pools, outdoor pools, waterslide, putt putt, bowling alley, and an arcade," according to Michele P., who adds, "Great place for kids to ride their bikes and splash in the water park."

Off-season value: Winter camping offers reduced rates and less crowded facilities. "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 and sometimes if enough sites you can move to another site. In February they allow 4 weeks stay," shares SANDIE B. about Myrtle Beach State Park Campground.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Numerous campgrounds feature protected natural areas where wildlife observation is possible. John Y. appreciates that Huntington Beach is "Close to the beach without being on the beach. Sites are well maintained, with only a few having sewer hook ups. Awesome state park."

What you should know

Size and atmosphere vary significantly: Campgrounds range from intimate state parks to massive resorts. Pirateland Family Camping Resort is described as "huge, seemed like a thousand spaces. Would be very overwhelming in the summer time. There were also permanent homes," by Alana F.

Reservations essential: Book well in advance, especially for prime locations and holiday periods. Kevin A. advises, "This park is the best. Great campground, easy beach access, wonderful area, great for photography, wonderful staff. We camp here as often as possible. Fills fast, so make reservations well in advance."

Weather considerations: Summer humidity requires adequate cooling solutions while winter brings potential flooding. According to Candy H., some properties are "prone to flooding in the winter season and you may need to move sites."

Site type variations: Most campgrounds offer multiple site types with varying amenities and privacy levels. At Myrtle Beach State Park, "Some sites are very level and some not so much, some smaller and some bigger. Pretty nice staff at the store and check in. The beach is gorgeous and a walk from campsites," notes SANDIE B.

Tips for camping with families

Water amenities: Choose campgrounds with multiple water features for children of different ages. Myrtle Beach Travel Park receives praise for its "Indoor and outdoor pools, trash pickup and so much more," from Taylor O., who adds they "Will totally be going back!!"

Scheduled activities: Look for campgrounds offering structured recreation programs, especially during peak season. Matt M. reports that Myrtle Beach Travel Park is "Rated a 5 star! Spent five days here with three kids. There was everything for all ages. Bathhouses were clean, water park was a hit for the kids and the beach was great."

Transportation solutions: Consider bringing or renting bicycles for older children to navigate larger campgrounds independently. Robert L. recommends Huntington Beach because it has "Very sizable campground with great beach access, trails and marsh area. Bring your bikes to truly enjoy the environment."

Safety considerations: Campgrounds with wildlife require additional supervision for young children, particularly near water features. When visiting Huntington Beach State Park, "We camped here this weekend. Rain finally stopped and Sat and Sun were sunny and cool. We love this park to walk the beach, watch the birds and just relax."

Tips from RVers

Level site selection: Request concrete pads when available for easier setup and stability. Jason K. found Hideaway RV Park to be "a terrific value" noting that "The spots are close together, but that's expected around here."

Access road considerations: Some campgrounds feature narrow internal roads that complicate maneuvering larger rigs. Liz M. observed that at Myrtle Beach State Park, "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."

Utility placement: Check hookup locations before choosing a site to ensure compatibility with your rig's configuration. At Myrtle Beach Travel Park, Maddi P. notes that "You are close enough to all of the tourist destinations to fill your week with entertainment while not being right in the middle of town."

Winter considerations: RVers staying during cooler months should plan for possible site relocations due to drainage issues. "The park has a bit of a worn down, overgrown with trees, shrubbery look. However, we adjusted to that and decided it was a good stop. Lots and lots of dogs. We travel with a dog and lots of places, trails to walk."