About Huntington Beach State Park
Huntington Beach State Park is located in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina just south of the popular resorts in Myrtle Beach. The 2,500-acre State Park within the beautiful southern salt marsh features castle ruins, surf fishing, special programs, a learning center, a playground, beach access, a freshwater lake, and 107 campsites.
Huntington State Park has more than three miles of oceanfront beaches – great for relaxing or surf casting for all kinds of fish species along the Atlantic Ocean. The private stretch of beach is free from the crowds near the resorts and offers the solitude your soul needs during your vacation or free time. Fun fact – the land we know as Huntington Beach was leased to the state of South Carolina in 1960 for use as a state park.
Widely known for bird watching, Huntington Beach State Park is said to have more than 300 species spotted on-site. You can also find sea turtles, alligators crossing the street and roaming the marsh waters, minks, and turtles sunning on logs. The park is a nature enthusiast’s dream come true!
Spoonbill’s Ice Cream shop is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 8 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time. The gift shop was named 2023’s best SC State Park gift shop and offers drinks, snacks, gifts, souvenirs, apparel, and even firewood for campers.
Pets are welcome but must remain leashed at all times and are not permitted inside buildings. Admission to the park is $8/adult; $5/SC Senior; $4 for ages 6-15 and free for children five and under. Atalaya Castle is an additional $2/person for ages 6 and older.
Things to Do at Huntington Beach State Park
A wide variety of fascinating programs and events are held at Huntington Beach State Park year-round. You can learn the ins and outs of crabbing, pointers on kayaking, take a guided tour through Atalaya Castle, and discuss the precautions to take before, during, and after sea turtle nesting seasons. There are also three picnic shelters available for your visit – great spots for shade after a long day at the beach.
Two nature trails are located within the park – Sandpiper Pond Nature Trail and Kerrigan Nature Trail. Kerrigan Nature Trail is an easy hiking trail that includes an observation deck over Mullet Pond and an abundance of native animals and birds throughout the year. The Sandpiper Pond Nature Trail is about two miles long and winds through ancient dunes to the Mawell Observation Deck and out to the jetty.
Atalaya Castle is the winter home of the founders of Brookgreen Gardens, Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington, and was built sometime between 1931 and 1933. The Moorish-style home is a National Historic Monument and is flanked by turquoise bars around the windows – a perfect setting for family photos. You can opt for a guided tour or you can visit on your own to take your time to study each room including one just for oyster shucking. Atalaya Castle and its grounds are available for weddings and events.
The famous Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival is held during the last weekend of September each year. More than 100 arts and crafts vendors line the castle grounds to show off their various paintings, pottery, jewelry, sculptures, and designs for purchase. The annual Myrtle Beach event draws in hundreds of visitors from around the country, food trucks, live entertainment, and family-friendly fun.
Huntington Beach State Park is located at 16148 Ocean Highway in Murrells Inlet, SC. Find out all you need to know about visiting the park at SouthCarolinaParks.com. Looking for a place to stay nearby? This popular state park is located a few miles from the popular Litchfield Beach and Golf Resort!
