Myrtle Beach camping spots range from oceanfront resorts to wooded retreats within 20 miles of the coast. Sites in this coastal region sit at near sea level with maximum elevations of only 25 feet. Winter camping temperatures rarely drop below freezing, with January lows averaging 40°F, making it a viable year-round destination for campers seeking off-season rates and fewer crowds.
What to do
Beach access timing: Huntington Beach State Park Campground offers clean, uncrowded beaches with proper timing. "The beautiful beach is just at your doorstep and nature on the other site. We loved the combo. Spots are good," notes a recent visitor, emphasizing the dual nature experience not found at more developed locations.
Historic exploration: Huntington Beach State Park Campground features Atalaya, a historic castle site within walking distance of campsites. "Castle to explore on site. Beautiful scenery. Great bike trails," reports one camper who discovered this unique landmark during their stay.
Fishing opportunities: Apache Family Campground provides fishing access via their private pier included with your stay. A camper explains, "They have a large pier for fishing located in the campground and if you are staying there they will provide tickets so you can use the pier."
Wildlife viewing: Morning visits along the marsh areas offer wildlife sightings. "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," advises a repeat visitor at Huntington Beach.
What campers like
Off-peak camping: Winter camping at Myrtle Beach State Park Campground offers a different experience from summer crowds. "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," notes a long-term camper who appreciates the extended stay options.
Tree coverage: Many campers appreciate the shade at certain campgrounds. "We camped during off season (November) and lots and lots of trees. Need to drive very slowly to campsite. All sites sand based," reports one visitor at Myrtle Beach State Park, highlighting the natural setting.
Self-contained entertainment: Pirateland Family Camping Resort features multiple on-site amenities. "Stayed for a week and it was a lot of fun. Rent a golf cart and ride around. Make sure to decorate it because there is a cart parade every night from 9-11," shares a camper who enjoyed the social aspects of the resort.
Waterfront camping: Hideaway RV Park offers sites along the Intracoastal Waterway. "The Hideaway is a hidden Jewell. Great spaces with plenty of room. Full hookups, very clean and well kept! Right on the Intercoastal waterway!" explains a visitor who valued the water views.
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Campgrounds range from spacious to extremely close quarters. "The sites are close but the area around the campground is beautiful close to the beach," notes a Myrtle Beach State Park camper, while another at Ocean Lakes mentions, "They squish the rvs and trailers in like sardines."
Noise considerations: Ocean Lakes Family Campground has specific quiet hours. "This place is noisy. Noise times are 7am- 11pm. The good thing about this is at 11pm everything is quiet. No one is on the roads. All golf carts go away and people settle down for the night," explains a family who appreciated the enforced quiet time.
Seasonal staffing limitations: Off-season visits may mean limited services. "We went off season - October 2019 - and while the park still had a lot of people there were plenty of sites empty. Since it was off season the camp store and shuttle service was not open," reports an Apache Family camper.
Flooding potential: Some sites experience drainage issues during heavy rains. A KOA visitor observed, "We happened to be there after a period of heavy rain and there were large puddles and some sites partially flooded, so there might be some drainage issues."
Tips for camping with families
Book splash areas: Lakewood Camping Resort features water attractions specifically for children. "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," shares a family who maximized the amenities.
Plan for pool crowds: Summer visits mean busy pool areas. "This is a great place for kids. Pool houses are nice and clean, splash pool is top notch, putt putt, food, and the beach here is really nice," notes a Pirateland visitor who recommends planning pool time accordingly.
Consider bike safety: Golf cart traffic creates safety concerns for young cyclists. "Kids on bicycles and scooters did scare me a bit riding around with all the traffic," warns a parent who monitored children closely at Pirateland Family Camping Resort.
Check bathhouse locations: When camping with children, proximity to facilities matters. "Our lot was across from a bathroom. The bathrooms are clean. There are about 10 toilets and about 6 shower/dressing areas. The bathrooms are cleaned several times a day," reports an Ocean Lakes camper.
Tips from RVers
Site surface considerations: Concrete pads offer advantages over sand-based sites. "Concrete pads with a picnic table and fire pit. Some sites are kinda close together, but doable. About 15 minutes to the beach. Pretty quiet and a nice park overall," notes a camper at Hideaway RV Park.
Utility placement: Check hookup locations before arrival. "Site was large but horrible cable connection, and could not use sewer connection as our 'stuff' dies not flow uphill. Avoid the back in regular spots," warns a KOA visitor about infrastructure challenges.
Size-appropriate navigation: Larger rigs require careful campground selection. "Roads are a bit tight and a lot of golf cart traffic, beautiful place and clean, the camp store is HUGE and has it ALL great beach access and golf cart rentals," reports a Myrtle Beach Travel Park visitor who navigated the tight spaces successfully.
Laundry services: Several campgrounds offer laundry solutions. "The wash and fold service. I dropped my clothes off at 830am and they were cleaned and ready for pickup by 1030am. Best part it only cost me $21.00. I dropped off a giant bag of clothes," shares an Ocean Lakes camper who appreciated the convenience.
