CONSIDER THIS BEFORE YOU GO:
Here are a few tips for enjoying our two area state parks.
Two for the price of one. One daily adult ticket ($4 -$5) will gain same-day entry to both the Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet and the Myrtle Beach State Park. It's a great way to try out both parks before deciding on an annual pass.
Go for the annual pass and save. If you're an Horry County resident and you've decided that the annual pass, called a Park Passport, is the way to go (and it is), visit any Horry County Memorial Library and save a whopping 30%. You'll pay $50 on-line or at a S.C. State Park but only $35 at the library. The main library is located in Conway but there are seven branches in the area. Check out www.horry.lib.sc.us/ for the nearest branch.
Don't let the "NO VACANCY" signs fool you. If you haven't made a reservation and want to go camping, it's worth driving to the park and asking directly at the camping check-in desk. Cancellations are frequent and spots do open up, but you've got to be there to take advantage.
Plan ahead. The air-conditioned and heated cabins at Myrtle Beach State Park are a great buy and a lot of fun for a night or two. Reserve them up to 11 months in advance - it's the only way to get these, especially March-October.
Alcohol. All S.C. State Parks have a strict no-alcohol policy. Rangers and Park Police patrol day and night and they can and will evict you or arrest you if you violate the law. However...big pause here...if you choose to ignore this policy, don't be a jackass about it. Keep your adult beverages to a minimum and in opaque plastic cups. Don't be loud and party like rock stars 'til 3 a.m. in the family camping area. Finally, don't bring coolers full of beer to the beach. Be smart and you might be all right enjoying a glass or two of well-hidden wine or beer or even a margarita. We are NOT suggesting you try this, we're just being irresponsible and circulating a... rumor.
Our two area state parks are certainly worth visiting often but also consider a trip to one or more of the additional 43 parks in the S.C. State Parks' System. For plenty of information to help you plan a parks adventure here along the Grand Strand or anywhere in the state, visit www.southcarolinaparks.com online.
-Paul Grimshaw, for Weekly Surge