Myrtle Beach

[syoungblood]

Hello All,

First let me wish all of you a blessed and safe christmas season.  Here is the question I have for all the experienced campers here.  What are some good campgrounds in the Myrtle Beach area?  We are looking to take a trip in March / April.  Needless to say, we won't be able to camp in our home state during this time (Wisconsin).  

Myrtle Beach seemed like a good place to try and visit with the kids.  The problem is we have never been there.  I would appreciate any feedback on specific campgrounds, or even if someone would know a good place to research the area and it's campgrounds.  Your input is greatly appreciated.   :XMas

[kathybrj]

We stayed at Lakewood a few years back, the week between Christmas and New Years. The campground was fairly empty, at that time, and we had a spot rather close to the beach. Thank goodness there was a large TT parked next to us, ocean side. They blocked the wind for us!

We traveled to the aquarium and went to the now-closed butterfly pavilion. Mostly, we rode our bikes on the beach, hunted for shells and enjoyed the mild weather. The kids enjoyed the indoor pool and the playground that is close to the beach.

Our next trip to Myrtle Beach will be at a state park, since we are set up for dry camping with this camper. We like trees and there weren't very many at Lakewood.

It was a nice trip, but a long drive for us from New York.

[Watchman]

I lived at Myrtle Beach for about ten years, and visited many of the camp grounds and State parks...  but never camped at them. Take that into consideration when you read my post. Here is what I know.

 Ocean Lakes is probably the biggest and nicest.  Pirate Land and Lakewood are next in line. They are all on the Ocean and have pools and other activities. If you want your kids to have plenty to do inside the camp ground, these are probably your best chioces. Clean, safe, fun.  You never have to leave the park. There are other camp grounds in the area, KOA etc. but I could not tell you much about them.

State Parks:   If you want the camping to be more like camping and less like an amusement park. Myrtle Beach state park has camping, and it is close to downtown Myrtle beach. The camping is not beach front but is very close. http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/stateparks/parkdetailcabins.asp?PID=795

 Huntington Beach State park is South of Myrtle beach a few miles (murrells Inlet S.C.)  and out of the hussle and bussle.  Larger beach front sites, lots of shade, clean bath houses.  I have visited this park on many occations and have always found it to be a very nice park and I have heard nothing but good things from those who have camped there.  
http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/stateparks/parkdetail.asp?PID=1020

Maybe you can get some help from those who have actually camped these places.  Sorry my knowledge is limited.
Good Luck!

[NCSunshine]

In North Myrtle Beach, there is Myrtle Beach Travel Park which is similar to Oceanlakes.  There is also two smaller CG's one is Barefoot CG, and Apache CG.  These are alot smaller but are also on the beach but do not have indoor pools.  In April I guess I would stay at Ocean Lakes, Pirateland, Lakewood, or Myrtle Beach Travel Park, because of having an indoor pool.  Pirateland also has a children's activity pool for small children and a lazy river pool.  In all except Barefoot Landing (can't say because we have never been there), they have small to medium general stores, laundry facilities, gas bottle stations, cable TV hookups, bathhouses, golf cart rentals ( I know everyone hates these but for us our small kids just love riding around in them and we don't have to leave the CG), and children's playground.  Some offer more amenities.

Myrtle Beach KOA in located in the heart of MB but is not ocean front, two blocks back.

Here are some phone numbers that you can call and request information:
Pirateland - 800-443-2267
Ocean Lakes - 800-722-1451
Myrtle Beach Travel Park - 800-255-3568
Apache Family CG & Pier - 800-553-1749
Lakewood - 877-LAKEWOOD

Hope this helps.

[Kathy Tuck]

Having lived on the south strand of Myrtle Beach for 30 years;and only a mile or two from four of the campgrounds mentioned,I can only add if price is an issue remember that that time of year prices generally jump to summer rates because of spring break and Easter Holiday.We usually stay at Myrtle Beach State Park .The sites are larger,more private ,the campground is located in a more wooded area of the park.The down side,campground is a short distance from the ocean.has a dump station
campsites are not equipt for this;however they do have power and water at each site.Pirateland has redone the pool area(we have not been there since this was done)Lakewood is smaller when comparing it to Oceanlakes.OceanLakes is the largest .Whichever one you choose ,have fun at the beach.Please remember we have the best of both worlds,if we need something we are just minutes from home.The only problem is that both my husband and I work so we don't get to pop-up as often as we would like even if we are only a mile from the beach.

[syoungblood]

Thanks to everyone who replied.  We really appreciate the help.  We use our pop up a lot, but this will be our first trip out of state, so we can use all the input we can get.  Just out of curiousity, what kind of weather can we expect in late March / early April?  I really have no idea.  Thanks again and a blessed Christmas to all. :XMas

[Watchman]

Weather.com says the average for April is high 75

[Kathy Tuck]

Spring time at the beach is wonderful!
Everything is in bloom,temps usually are between
60 to 70 degrees for highs;and
low humidity.

[B-flat]

Check out:  www.myrtlebeachtravelpark.com  for all the information you need.  It is a favorite of my family's for years and probably will remain our favorite.  It's in North Myrtle Beach, yet off the main highway at beachfront with easy access to Barefoot Landing shops and Alabama Theater and others.  Also the  big WalMart is close by in case you need anything.  There's a list of amenities on their website.  For Ocean Lakes, go to:  www.oceanlakes.com  .  It's also a big campground and is host to a big Bluegrass Festival in August every year for the past 5 years.  They also have other ongoing activities.  SC State Parks are nice.  I guess it depends on whether you want to be surrounded by activities and on your budget.

[hbfc6]

All the Myrtle beach campgrounds are nice. Do not expect them to be real private and spacious. Oceanlakes is big the have good bath rooms and the sites are all pull thru. I like Pirateland's new outdoor pool area and lazy river. The oceanfront sites have a nice wood shelter on each site. The Koa is not on the Ocean about four blocks away but it's in downtown Myrtle beach. It is a pretty nice campground although they do not have an indoor pool. I like pirateland the best although I would be happy at anyone of the campgrounds at Myrtle beach.

[JonesFamilyJayco]

We will be visiting Ocean Lakes CG for the first time this summer.  I am really excitted from all that I have seen.  We usually camp in the mountians of NC & often w/o hookups, but this should be a lot of fun, too.  I finally did give in & purchased an A/C for the camper; at first I had decided we would be fine w/o one.  I think we will be a lot happier now & may open up more camping opportunities.

Have a great time!

[jstaddwtr]

We think you will love your AC.  We don't use ours all of the time but it is there when we want it.  That is really important. Best of luck and Happy New Year!!!!

[syoungblood]

thanks for all of the input everyone.  We are looking at going the week after Easter, so the weather should be nice.  So far, the frontrunners are either Pirate Land or Ocean Lakes.  We called about seven campgrounds and requested brochures.  We'll see if they help with the choice.  I can't believe the size of the campgrounds.  They are just massive.  Most of the ones we stay at in Wisconsin are under 150 sites, at the most.  We are looking forward to it.  Thanks again for all the great advice.  We appreciate it.  We hope you all have a blessed New Year.  :XMas