Where Are the Best Parks and Nature Areas Near Myrtle Beach, SC?

Myrtle Beach offers much more than miles of sandy shoreline. Across the Grand Strand, visitors can explore maritime forests, salt marshes, wetlands, rivers, gardens, and wildlife habitats. Many of these natural areas are within an easy drive of the main Myrtle Beach area.

Guests staying in our Myrtle Beach vacation rentals can add hiking, birdwatching, fishing, paddling, and wildlife viewing to their vacation plans. Here are some of the best parks and nature areas to explore around Myrtle Beach.

Myrtle Beach State Park

Myrtle Beach State Park protects one mile of undeveloped beach and a maritime forest designated as a Heritage Trust Site. Located directly along the coast, the park makes it easy to combine outdoor recreation with a beach day.

Beaches and Nature Trails

Two short trails explore the maritime forest. The Sculptured Oak Nature Trail covers about half a mile, while the Yaupon Nature Trail is approximately 0.4 miles long.

Both are rated easy and pass through coastal vegetation that includes oaks, magnolias, hollies, wax myrtles, and poplars. Boardwalks also connect portions of the park with the beach.

Fishing and Wildlife Watching

The park has a fishing pier extending into the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors can fish from the pier for a separate fee without purchasing an individual South Carolina saltwater fishing license.

Wildlife watching is another reason to visit. Loggerhead sea turtles, bald eagles, shorebirds, and migratory birds are among the animals that may be seen depending on the season.

Huntington Beach State Park

Head south toward Murrells Inlet to reach Huntington Beach State Park. Its combination of salt marshes, freshwater wetlands, maritime forest, and Atlantic shoreline makes it one of the area’s most varied natural destinations.

Hiking and Birdwatching

The two-mile Sandpiper Pond Nature Trail travels through maritime forest and provides access to observation areas near wetlands. The shorter Kerrigan Nature Trail leads toward Mullet Pond.

More than 300 bird species have been recorded at Huntington Beach State Park. Herons, egrets, wood storks, shorebirds, ducks, and roseate spoonbills are among the possible sightings throughout the year.

Beaches and Coastal Habitats

The park also provides access to a wide Atlantic beach. Boardwalks allow visitors to look across salt marshes and freshwater environments, creating opportunities to spot birds, turtles, and alligators.

Visitors interested in a longer walk can travel along the beach toward the jetty at the park’s northern end.

Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens

Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens in Little River protects more than 115 acres along the Intracoastal Waterway. Its combination of woodland and salt marsh makes it a quieter alternative to the busier oceanfront attractions.

Walking Trails and Boardwalks

The property contains approximately three miles of trails and boardwalks. Paths travel through wooded areas and wetlands, allowing visitors to experience several coastal habitats during one outing.

The property also contains a surviving portion of the historic Kings Highway, part of an early route that once connected Charleston and Boston.

Views of the Intracoastal Waterway

Trails and boardwalks eventually lead toward marshes bordering the Intracoastal Waterway. Along the way, visitors can stop at observation areas and look for coastal birds.

For travelers searching for relaxing things to do in Myrtle Beach, Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens provides an easy way to spend a few hours outdoors.

Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge

Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge protects wetlands associated with the Waccamaw and Great Pee Dee rivers. Its habitats include blackwater forests, floodplain forests, tidal wetlands, and former rice fields.

Wildlife and Natural Habitats

More than 200 bird species have been recorded within the refuge. One of its notable seasonal visitors is the swallow-tailed kite, which uses the area’s forested wetlands.

Visitors can also look for other birds and wildlife while exploring trails, boardwalks, and designated observation areas.

Paddling and Outdoor Recreation

The refuge can also be explored from the water. Canoeing and kayaking provide access to sections of the Pee Dee River, Yauhannah Lake, and surrounding blackwater habitats.

Fishing, hiking, wildlife photography, and birdwatching are additional recreation options. Check current refuge conditions and access information before planning your visit.

Heritage Shores Nature Preserve

Heritage Shores Nature Preserve protects seven acres within the Cherry Grove Marsh in North Myrtle Beach. Although smaller than the area’s state parks and wildlife refuge, it provides close access to a salt marsh ecosystem.

Walking Trails

Visitors can explore the preserve using walking paths, elevated boardwalks, and observation docks. Interpretive stations provide information about the plants and animals found within the marsh.

Its relatively short trail system also makes Heritage Shores easy to include alongside other North Myrtle Beach activities.

Wildlife Viewing

The preserve’s boardwalks provide open views across Cherry Grove Marsh. Coastal birds, fish, and other marsh wildlife may be visible depending on the tide and season.

Observation areas provide places to stop and scan the marsh, so consider bringing binoculars if wildlife watching is a priority.

Brookgreen Gardens

Brookgreen Gardens near Murrells Inlet encompasses more than 9,000 acres. In addition to its famous sculpture collection, the property protects Lowcountry habitats that include salt marshes, longleaf pine forests, hardwood forests, and river areas.

Lowcountry Gardens and Trails

Visitors can walk through landscaped gardens and explore the Lowcountry Trail. This route includes a boardwalk overlooking a restored historic rice field and interpretive exhibits about the property’s history.

Brookgreen can easily fill several hours, especially for groups interested in combining nature, art, and history.

Native Wildlife and Natural Areas

Brookgreen’s Lowcountry Zoo cares for native animals that were born in accredited facilities or cannot survive independently in the wild. Animals can include river otters, alligators, bald eagles, owls, foxes, and white-tailed deer.

Wildlife also lives throughout the larger property, so visitors should remain on designated paths and avoid approaching animals.

How Should You Plan a Day Exploring Myrtle Beach’s Natural Areas?

Choose parks in the same part of the Grand Strand to reduce driving. Myrtle Beach State Park works well for a simple beach-and-trails day. Farther south, Huntington Beach State Park and Brookgreen Gardens can be explored during the same general outing.

To the north, Heritage Shores and Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens make a practical pairing. Bring water, sunscreen, insect repellent, comfortable shoes, and binoculars. Always check official websites for current admission information, closures, and park rules before leaving.

Plan Your Visit

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Final Thoughts

The best parks and nature areas near Myrtle Beach offer a closer look at the landscapes that define coastal South Carolina. Myrtle Beach State Park and Huntington Beach State Park combine beaches with trails and wildlife, while Heritage Shores and Vereen Gardens highlight the region’s marshes.

Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge adds river and wetland environments, and Brookgreen Gardens combines natural areas with art and history. Staying in group rentals in Myrtle Beach, SC gives your party a comfortable home base for exploring them together.

Book Your Myrtle Beach Vacation Rental with Together Resorts

Together Resorts offers amenity-rich Myrtle Beach house rentals designed for groups of many sizes. Our private properties give families, wedding parties, golf groups, corporate retreats, church groups, and friends room to stay and spend time together.

Explore beaches, parks, trails, wildlife areas, restaurants, and attractions during the day, then return to a private retreat built for your group. Browse Together Resorts vacation rentals and start planning your Myrtle Beach getaway.