6 Jul Huntington Beach State Park named top Atlantic Coast camping spot Huntington Beach State Park, considered among the best parks on the East Coast in terms of beauty, wildlife, and activities, continues to garner praise 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’s a great honor for staff that the park, located in the Murrells Inlet community of the Hammock Coast, is included in the new best-of listing. “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,” Walker said. “It feels great when that is recognized.” Huntington Beach State Park has been recognized as one of the top camping destinations on the Atlantic Coast. (Photo courtesy of Wade and Phyllis Stephens) In the blog post titled “Atlantic Coast Highway Road Trip,” which is part of a series called “Road Trips,” author Hillary Bennetts writes 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 wrote. “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 notes 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. 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.” Electric/water hookups, clean bathhouses, and even beachside tent sites make Huntington Beach State Park an excellent choice for camping. (Photo courtesy of SCPRT) 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. Southern Living has named Huntington one of the best in the South, and AAA Magazine says, “RV and tent campers will find plenty to do, including some of the best birdwatching in the state, at this dog-friendly park in Murrells Inlet.” “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. Wade and Phyllis Stephens of Dalton, Georgia, enjoy camping at Huntington Beach State Park. Above, they are pictured at a local restaurant, Dead Dog Saloon, during one of their recent trips. (Photo courtesy of Wade and Phyllis Stephens) “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.” By Clayton Stairs / tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s Hammock Coast® 0 Hammock-All
