Every camping adventure has a mix of upsides and downsides, right?  So I would describe my experience here at Myrtle Beach State Park as being a case of these two extremities. On the one hand, for camping purists who are looking to truly 'get away from it all' and find a nice stretch of hidden oasis to call home in the midst of nature for a few days, you will be disappointed by not being able to find any semblance of privacy in this RV parking lot. 

That said, there are a few campsite spots that might offer a few more trees or underbrush to provide for some much needed isolation, but you would be hard pressed to escape this overcrowded campground. Every campsite is connected to the main thoroughfare that itself resembles a smaller-scale stream of rush hour traffic from F150's, golf carts and RV's (and you thought you were here to escape the sounds and sites of the overcrowded nearby beach town?!). 

Apart from the sheer overpopulation, the bathrooms and shower areas are just mediocre (at best). If you can get past these two obstacles, then Myrtle Beach State Park may just be for you!  A short walk from the campground is an amazing walkway that leads you straight to the beautiful beaches that Myrtle Beach is known for, complete with it's own lifeguard (although strangely, there are plenty of signs that indicate that there are no lifeguards on duty), who when not saving lives, will offer to rent you a chair and umbrella. 

From this beachhead you'll be able to see the Myrtle Beach fishing pier and it's twin pier here in the state park, jutting out into the Atlantic ocean, offering the perfect promenade for catching a wide number of fish (flounder seemed to be the most prolific). Attached to this pier is a fantastic shop that seems to have it all (trash, trinkets, bait, snacks, etc.) complete with patio umbrellas and benches, making for a nice seaside picnic outing (along with nice, well-kept bathrooms). Nearby is a fantastic playground for the kids, which looked recently built when I was there. 

Dotted around the entire shaded state park grounds are well situated picnic tables and cabin-sized shelters that can be booked in advance. The on-site amenities also boast outdoor recreational areas that feature built-in games such as horse shoes and a bocce ball court (yes folks, you read that right, a bocce ball court in a state park!) as well as an engaging nature center that is designed to educate all on the surrounding environment and its wildlife habitat. Add to this an on-site laundry facility (yes, you read that right… again), amazingly well-kept grounds and very decent roads to drive on, there are certainly some perks offered here at Myrtle Beach State Park that this experienced camper has never come across before. 

One quick bonus alert: if the overcrowded campgrounds scare you off (and honestly, you should give real, good hard thought to this), there are 7-8 cabins that can be booked, which offer up a great deal of privacy (all but one from my view) and may deliver on those expectations of (almost) getting away from it all!  Last tip?  Be sure to get here to this State Park early - they shut down access once the maximum quote is hit!

Happy Camping!