Coastal Escapes: Camping at Huntington Beach State Park

Destinations Southeast South Carolina Charleston

Coastal Escapes: Camping at Huntington Beach State Park

Camping at Huntington Beach State Park offers an unforgettable mix of pristine beaches, diverse wildlife, and rich history, making it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and families alike. Nestled along the Grand Strand, just 90 minutes north of Charleston, this coastal gem promises a serene retreat amid the sights and sounds of South Carolina’s natural beauty.

The park’s campground features spacious sites, many shaded by live oaks and palmettos. Options include full hookups for RVs and more rustic settings for tent campers, ensuring something for every style of outdoor adventurer. With the Atlantic Ocean just a short walk away, you can fall asleep to the rhythmic crash of waves and wake up to the salty breeze of the sea.

A highlight of camping here is easy access to three miles of uncrowded, unspoiled beaches. Spend your days beachcombing for shells, wading into the surf, or simply soaking up the sun. Early risers are treated to stunning sunrises over the Atlantic, painting the sky in a spectrum of colors.

The park is also a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Take a stroll along the causeway, where you’re likely to spot alligators basking in the sun and a variety of birds, from great blue herons to roseate spoonbills. The park’s salt marshes, freshwater lagoons, and maritime forests support an incredible array of species, making it a top destination for birdwatchers and photographers.

For a taste of history, don’t miss Atalaya, the Moorish-style mansion once home to Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington. A self-guided tour reveals the fascinating story behind the park’s founding and its artistic legacy.

Huntington Beach State Park is more than a campground—it’s a coastal sanctuary where you can reconnect with nature, relax by the waves, and create lasting memories under the stars.

Adventure Guide: Camping at Huntington Beach State Park

Campground Features

Sites Available: Full hookup sites for RVs and standard sites for tents.
Amenities: Restrooms with hot showers, laundry facilities, and picnic tables at most sites.
Reservations: Highly recommended, especially during peak seasons (spring and summer).

Activities

Beach Fun: Swimming, sunbathing, and surf fishing.
Wildlife Viewing: Spot alligators, egrets, and over 300 species of birds.
Atalaya Castle: Explore the historic mansion and learn about the park’s origins.

Tips for Campers

Bring binoculars for birdwatching and a camera to capture the wildlife and scenery.
Use bug spray, particularly in the evening when mosquitoes can be active.
Pack for coastal weather: layers for breezy mornings and evenings, and sunscreen for daytime.

Getting There

Huntington Beach State Park is located along Highway 17 in Murrells Inlet, about 90 minutes from Charleston. Parking is available, and the campground is well-marked upon arrival.

Camping at Huntington Beach State Park is the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, offering a coastal escape that captures the magic of South Carolina’s shores.

Adventure Map

Charleston Info

No GPX info

Reviews

Briana Kinner2 months ago

I loved it here! We started with walking the castle, then to the nature center, and finished up on the north end by walking all the way out to the jetty, and finally finished up our day soaking in some sun on the beach. The beach is stunning, has lots of really nice shells, and not very busy. I'm always looking for the secluded hidden gems and this one is 🤌. It's definitely one of my favorite stops while on our annual trip to myrtle beach. I also saw a handful of sea turtles while walking the jetty, which was a highlight for me.

Byron Bennetta month ago

Great beach for shelling at low tide. Great for birding. My friends each got multiple lifers on our outing. You can see wild mink and sea turtles from the jetty. The jetty is 1.5 mile walk from parking lot, but worth it. I enjoyed the Castle very much. The owners built it to provide jobs for people during the Depression.

JL Grahama month ago

Love...love....love it. Just a great place to go and relax. Plenty of walking room. Just so very nice. Already scheduled another trip for 4 days there. But follow the rules...leave the campsite better than you found it.

M. Walter5 months ago

We recently camped at this park and absolutely loved it. The park itself is beautiful and so well kept. It really is the best of both worlds - you are surrounded by nature and then you leave the park and have grocery stores nearby and amazing seafood restaurants. The beach itself is beautiful and was never crowded. We loved visiting the nature center and the gift shop. The shower house was always clean and is nicely updated. The only slight inconvenience is that we stayed on the north loop, which doesn’t have laundry. But you can drive to the south loop to do your laundry. Not a huge deal, really. We really enjoyed our stay here and highly recommend this park!

Jamie Bandari3 weeks ago

Spent the day here with the family and it was a great day!! The weather was perfect and it was not buggy at all this time of year! Admission to enter the park was $8, $5 for seniors, and $5 for kiddos. We brought our own picnic and had a picnic lunch on one of the many picnic tables. We toured Atalaya Castle, the home of the Huntington's. Admission was an additional $2 per person to explore the home. There are informational plaques in most rooms, which is super interesting. There is a scavenger hunt for kids (adults could do it too, I guess) and my kiddo loved going around finding all the answers. He turned his in for a cool keepsake button. We hiked a few trails, which are well maintained. We saw some alligators along one of the walking trails and very cool birds. Now we know why so many people go there birding! The Nature Center was small but neat. There is a small touch tank there as well as a few exhibits about the local wildlife. My highlight there was watching the birds through the Nature Center's window. They have bird feeders and a bird bath set up to attract so many beautiful, local birds. We drove through the campground, which included RVs and a rustic tent site. The campgrounds looked very clean, quaint, safe, and well maintained. We visited the park store. They have lots of souvenirs, as well as drinks and camping essentials, plus firewood and ice. There are multiple accesses to the beach at different points throughout the park. Great family park!!