Myrtle Beach State Park: fun in the winter months

Myrtle Beach State Park is a very popular summer destination. With one mile of undeveloped beachfront and a fishing pier, it is no wonder that the park often fills to capacity during the summer months. Not the experience we were looking for, so we decided to visit during the winter. We discovered that winter is the perfect time for adventure seekers who like to avoid crowds. Had we known that horseback riding was an option, we’d been the first in line.

Myrtle Beach State Park Fishing Pier

Free! Always! Our first stop was to check out the pier. We found ample parking and checked out the well-stocked gift and tackle shop. The back door led to the pier entrance. Our first stop was the giant chair!

The pier was not busy – just a few fishermen out towards the end. The ocean was calm and the skies were blue.

Next, we exited the pier for a walk on the beach. Soon, we were joined by a group of horseback riders. Sad to have missed the opportunity, we vowed to come back with reservations.

Boardwalk

After a walk along the beachfront, it was time to follow the boardwalk and take in views from the dunes. The boardwalk views were beautiful. Far in the distance to the north, we could see the hotels and condos.

From the boardwalk, we made our way back to the parking area to find the Yaupon Trailhead.

Yaupon and Sculpture Oak Nature Trails

The trail was short with lots of oak, pine, palmetto, and holly trees. Exactly what you would expect in coastal South Carolina. We followed the trail to the Sculpture Oak Trail. From there, we made our way to the Nature Center.

Around the Nature Center, we discovered two fun trails for children. One about turtles and the other about butterflies. We wished our grandson were with us – he would have loved learning about the critters.

Caterpillars and more! Both trails were short and easy. Perfect for young children.

Our last stop was to check out the campground. We were not camping on this trip, but wanted to see the sites for future reference. The campground was a short distance from the Nature Center.

We noted that most of the sites were shaded – an important feature for summer camping at the beach. Also of note, 138 full hook-up sites, 140 water and electric sites, and 30 tent sites in the overflow area near the pier.

We walked back to our truck and enjoyed the beach view as the tide rolled in. We wondered if the few fishermen remaining on the pier had any fresh catches in their coolers.