Huntington Beach State Park
Murrells Inlet, SC
Beach, salt marsh and Atalaya, the Moorish-style winter house of Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington. The causeway across the freshwater lagoon is good for alligators and birds; campsites book up in spring.
Huntington Beach State Park is a coastal park near Murrells Inlet in South Carolina, directly across U.S. Highway 17 from Brookgreen Gardens. On roughly 2,500 acres (about 1,000 hectares) lie a wide, firm beach and salt marsh. The park is named for Archer Huntington; the land has been leased to the state since 1960.
The landmark is Atalaya, the Huntingtons' winter home, which according to Frommer's was built between 1931 and 1933 in Iberian style. Anna Hyatt Huntington, a major sculptor, had her studio here. The park is a destination for birders, with ducks and wading birds in the marsh and seabirds at the jetty. The nature center also shows a baby alligator, and the building reopened after a fire in 2016. Campground figures differ: Frommer's gives 137 sites, Wikipedia 176. Please check Atalaya tours, fees and reservation rules in advance.
- Nearest town
- Murrells Inlet, SC
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 33.5139, -79.0611
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, September and December. Hot in July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Huntington Beach State Park South CampgroundMotorhome stopover1 mi from Huntington Beach State ParkMotorhomesElectricityWi-Fi
- Ocean Lakes RV CenterMotorhome stopover10 mi from Huntington Beach State ParkMotorhomes
- Pirateland Family CampgroundCampsite11 mi from Huntington Beach State Park
- Myrtle Beach K.O.A.Motorhome stopover15 mi from Huntington Beach State ParkMotorhomes
- Kampgrounds of America Myrtle BeachMotorhome stopover15 mi from Huntington Beach State ParkMotorhomes
- Hidden Marina & CampgroundCampsite19 mi from Huntington Beach State ParkCaravans
All campsites in South Carolina · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Huntington Beach State Park?
Huntington Beach State Park is in Murrells Inlet, SC, at GPS 33.5139, -79.0611. It is about 7 mi from Pawleys Island.
Can you camp near Huntington Beach State Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Huntington Beach State Park Campground, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 15 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Huntington Beach State Park?
Huntington Beach State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: The Grand Strand and Georgetown to Charleston.
What is there to see near Huntington Beach State Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Brookgreen Gardens (2 mi), Pawleys Island (7 mi), Myrtle Beach State Park (12 mi) and Oak Island Lighthouse (65 mi).
When is the best time to visit Huntington Beach State Park?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, September and December. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)