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Huntington Beach
Overview
Huntington Beach State Park offers a unique coastal escape where the Atlantic Ocean meets protected wetlands. Spanning over 2,500 acres, this South Carolina treasure is renowned for its preservation and the iconic Atalaya Castle. Unlike many crowded beach destinations, this park provides a serene atmosphere where nature remains the primary focus. RVers can enjoy a balance of historical charm and rugged coastal beauty while camping just steps away from one of the state's most pristine shorelines.
Location & Surroundings
Situated in Murrells Inlet, known as the seafood capital of South Carolina, the park is defined by its diverse ecosystems. The landscape features saltwater marshes, freshwater lagoons, and maritime forests. To the west, the scenic marshes provide a backdrop for spectacular sunsets, while the east is bordered by three miles of undeveloped beachfront. The surrounding area maintains a quieter, more relaxed pace than the bustling Grand Strand, offering a true coastal retreat for those looking to avoid high-rise developments.
Amenities & Park Features
The park provides 173 designated campsites spread across two distinct areas. The North Campground is particularly popular for modern travelers, offering full hookups including water, sewer, and electricity. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and fire ring, and the park maintains clean restroom and shower facilities. Guests have access to a nature center featuring live animal exhibits and several miles of trails and boardwalks that are perfect for observing the local wildlife, including alligators and rare bird species.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts will find no shortage of activities, from birdwatching on the causeway to exploring the historic Brookgreen Gardens, located directly across the highway. The park is a premier spot for surf fishing and hiking the Sandpiper Pond Nature Trail. For those interested in local history, touring the Moorish-style architecture of Atalaya is a must. A short drive north leads to the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk, where visitors can enjoy fresh seafood and live music overlooking the tidal creeks.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is ideal for nature photographers and birders who appreciate the biodiversity of the Lowcountry. It is a perfect fit for families looking for an educational and quiet beach experience rather than a commercial boardwalk scene. Because of its large, level sites, it is also a great choice for big-rig RVers who want easy access to the coast without sacrificing utility connections. If you prefer the sound of crashing waves over city traffic, this is the place for your next stay.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Internet
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
judi rockhill
This was a cool place! The beach was clean and beautiful. The wildlife was beautiful! We saw alligators, spoonbills, herons and more. I look forward to returning.
Jennifer Wladischkin
Beautiful beach area. Enjoyed the self guided tour of Atalaya. Friendly staff member working at the gift shop had some interesting historical information he shared with us. It would be nice to see photos of what it looked like while the Huntington's lived there, its sort of hard to imagine and looks rather institutional in its current state. Very interesting state park.
Travis Clevinger
There's an $8 per adult charge to enter and for a family of 4 ( 2 adults, a 1 year old and a 4 year old) it was $16, so not too bad. Very beautiful and well maintained place. The parking foe the beach access was very spacious. There's a large playground area near the beach access as well for the kids. A very nice clean beach here as well. We will probably use this area again in the future when we are in the area.
Caley Walker
This place is so beautiful. The sites are gorgeous and the one we got was very private (125). It is a little pricey but it is worth it; the staff are so friendly, the sites are well maintained and flat . The beach was gorgeous; there is a double red flag for swimming due to the offshore hurricane but the views were really pretty and so were the waves. The sand is so soft and white. We will definitely be returning.
Megan Reissman
A great beach experience. They really cover all the needs of beach day. Outside showers for feet and for the body. They made a nice new cement walkway leading from the park area out to the sand (replaced the older wooden walkway). It's always been easy to find a spot that is not a far walk from the pathway. The waves are usually gentle enough that it's safe for small children to enjoy the shallow surf area. The bathrooms are the best beach bathrooms I've ever seen, very useful for kids who need to go to the bathroom at any time. Playground is well kept and fairly new. The ice cream place by the playground, Spoonbills, was shockingly well priced (I fully expected 2x what it was just for the "premium" of being on the beach) and very delicious. Several shelters are present near the playground and useful if a storm rolls by to have some shelter. Our only con experience is that a few times the parking lot is half or mostly reserved for special events/site rentals regardless of how many people are actually attending an event. Leading to half the lot being packed and half being fairly empty.