Huntington Beach State Park named top Atlantic Coast camping spot

Huntington Beach State Park named top Atlantic Coast camping spot

Our local state park is certainly among the best on the East Coast in terms of beauty, wildlife, and activities, but now it has been recognized for its superb camping.

Recently, a national travel app called The Dyrt named Huntington Beach State Park on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast® one of 10 top destinations for camping on the Atlantic Coast.

Mike Walker, interpretive ranger at the park, said it is a great honor for park staff that the state park is included in this article.

“The staff and volunteers all love the park, of course, and work very hard to keep our campground a lovely and safe place to experience nature and history. It feels great when that is recognized.”

In the blog post titled, “Atlantic Coast Highway Road Trip,” which is part of a series called “Road Trips,” author Hillary Bennetts states that the Atlantic Coast Highway showcases an incredible diversity of landscapes and American history along one continuous route.

“Drivers alternate between bustling boardwalk resorts and remote protected shores – you might play arcade games on a classic pier in the afternoon and camp alongside wild beach ponies by nightfall,” she writes. “This route connects numerous national seashores and wildlife refuges (like Assateague Island and Cape Hatteras) that preserve undeveloped beaches, dunes, and salt marshes teeming with wildlife.”

Culturally, Bennetts states that the journey takes travelers through the cradle of English colonization and maritime history. The route includes Colonial-era towns, Civil War landmarks, and the very spot at Kitty Hawk where the Wright Brothers first flew in 1903. Many sections are officially designated scenic byways – for example, North Carolina’s Outer Banks route is a National Scenic Byway, and the Florida Keys Overseas Highway is an All-American Road, she wrote.

From fresh coastal cuisine (think Maryland crab shacks and Key West conch fritters) to iconic lighthouses guarding the shore, the Atlantic Coast Highway offers a rich tapestry of experiences that you won’t find on any interstate. She writes that Huntingtin Beach State Park is a top-rated South Carolina campground with large sites nestled in maritime forest, just steps from a wide, sandy beach.

“Campers enjoy the park’s nature center boardwalks over salt marsh, where you can see egrets and maybe an alligator,” she stated. “Electric/water hookups, clean bathhouses, and even beachside tent sites make it a hit for both RV and tent campers.”

About the park and camping

Huntington Beach State Park encompasses 2,500 acres along South Carolina’s coast, with this established campground serving as the primary overnight accommodation within the park boundaries. Managed by the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, the facility operates year-round.

“The park offers a great combination of diverse ecosystems, abundant wildlife, and fascinating history in a beautiful setting with some incredible outdoor recreational opportunities,” Walker said. “The park also offers a variety of opportunities to learn about our coastal environment, from exhibits at the Nature Center and at the Huntington’s former winter home Atalaya (now a National Historic Landmark); to a wide variety of programs offered by the park staff and our wonderful volunteers with the Friends of Huntington Beach State Park.”

The campground divides into two distinct areas that create different camping experiences. The north loop provides more spacious sites with grass and mature trees, while the south section features concrete pads with full hookups but less vegetation. Sites on the outside of the loop have more privacy, with sites 1-33 backed by trees. Only six tent sites exist in this RV-friendly park, positioned close together on raised pads designed for flood protection.

Multiple beach access trails wind through maritime forest, connecting campers to three miles of undeveloped coastline. The beach stretches as part of a 60-mile continuous strand, with white sand and minimal crowds compared to nearby commercial areas. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound along the causeway, where alligators cross at low tide and wading birds feed in tidal pools. The park includes Atalaya Castle ruins, nature trails, and a playground, while Brookgreen Gardens sits directly across Highway 17.

“We offer a great diversity of camping opportunities, from primitive and rustic walk-in tent sites in the forest, to RV sites with most of the modern amenities within close walking distance to the beach,” Walker said. “Something to appeal to most any camper.”

Wade and Phyllis Stephens of Dalton, Georgia, camped at Huntington Beach State Park last May and they plan to return. Wade Stephens said the state park is an awesome place to camp on the Atlantic Coast.

“We love Huntington Beach State Park with its variety of camping spots and its beautiful white sand beach,” he said. “It is definitely one of our favorite places to camp when we are on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast.”

About the Atlantic Coast Highway

Bath houses feature recently updated tile and fixtures, with clean restrooms and showers throughout both camping areas. Electric and water hookups serve most sites, with sewer connections available in the south section. Wi-Fi exists but proves unreliable across much of the park, with stronger signals near specific bath houses. Food storage lockers help keep food out of reach of wildlife.

The article states that the Atlantic Coast Highway showcases an incredible diversity of landscapes and American history along one continuous route. Drivers alternate between bustling boardwalk resorts and remote protected shores – you might play arcade games on a classic pier in the afternoon and camp alongside wild beach ponies by nightfall.

This route connects numerous national seashores and wildlife refuges (like Assateague Island and Cape Hatteras) that preserve undeveloped beaches, dunes, and salt marshes teeming with wildlife. Culturally, the journey takes you through the cradle of English colonization and maritime history: you’ll pass Colonial-era towns, Civil War landmarks, and the very spot at Kitty Hawk where the Wright Brothers first flew in 1903.

Many sections are officially designated scenic byways – for example, North Carolina’s Outer Banks route is a National Scenic Byway and the Florida Keys Overseas Highway is an All-American Road. From fresh coastal cuisine (think Maryland crab shacks and Key West conch fritters) to iconic lighthouses guarding the shore, the Atlantic Coast Highway offers a rich tapestry of experiences that you won’t find on any interstate.

By Clayton Stairs / tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®