With over 20 million visitors coming to the Myrtle Beach Grand Strand area each year, finding the off-the-beaten-path beach access point can make all the difference in enjoying your beach vacation.
However, as a kid growing up in Myrtle Beach, finding a beach access point that was not overcrowded with tourists became a mission for me and my friends. With 114 beach access points in Myrtle Beach, it took us quite a few years of exploration to find our favorites.
Finally, we found ourselves gravitating away from the access points close to all the resorts and condos. Our favorites then, and even today, are in the 40th Avenue North up to 82nd Avenue North.
Where We Usually Can Be Found
Karen and I typically head to the beach by the Surfside Pier and River City for convenience. We can easily park by the Memorial Library and Memorial Park or in the River City Cafe lot across from the ocean when dining on River City’s oceanfront deck. We also love the area’s state parks, as their facilities are outstanding.
Local Tip
Did You Know?
From Chapin Library MB, you can get a FREE SC State Park Pass for more than 45 parks throughout the state, including those in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Surprisingly, with a free library card, you can get a FREE 3-week pass for state park access free of charge.
Without your free pass, admission to Myrtle Beach State Park is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors (age 65 and older), $4 for children (age 6–15), and free for children five and younger.
Myrtle Beach State Parks
Karen and I have two state parks we love to visit, and both have excellent beach parking and facilities. Huntington Beach’s salt marshes and walking trails are excellent for viewing local wildlife. It is also a great place to see the local alligators. You can spend the day comfortably with picnic tables, a play area, restrooms, and a gift/convenience shop. The park is also great for bike riding, and Karen and I love pedaling there! Learn more about Hunting Beach State Park Here.
Beach Access With A Boardwalk
In addition to the beach, Myrtle Beach State Park has a lovely Boardwalk where you can walk without getting sand in your shoes. Karen’s favorite place in the park is the fishing pier, which offers fantastic views of the park!
Also, you can learn more about Myrtle Beach State Park Here.
Pro Tip: Reserve Your Beach Parking Spot
Starting in 2024, you can reserve a parking spot at the local state parks. May 16, 2024, will be the first reservable date. Reservations may be made one month before the reservation date. Reservations are available 7 days a week from May 16 to September 2.
Reserved parking spaces cost $5 per parking space daily and DO NOT include daily park admission.
Is park admission included?
The cost of the reserved space does NOT include state park admission. A park pass or daily park admission receipt is required to enter the park.
Does my park passport cover reserved parking?
A park passport covers your park admission but does NOT include the cost of a reserved parking space.
How long do I have to use my parking spot?
Reservations are valid from 6:00 a.m. to noon. After noon, all reserved parking spaces become first come, first served. Once in your spot, you can stay until the park closes. If you leave your space, you must return by noon, as your spot will become public parking at noon.
How do I reserve a spot?
Click this Link to reserve your spot.
When is the Beach Open?
Interestingly, Myrtle Beach public beaches and access are open 365 days a year unless a safety issue exists.
Additionally, here are a few essential things to know:
- Personal items may not be set up on the beach before 8:00 a.m.
- Everything must be removed from the beach by 7:00 p.m.
- Visitors aged 17 and under must follow the city’s curfew rules and can’t be on the beach after midnight or before 6:00 a.m. unless accompanied by an adult.
- From May 1 through Labor Day, dogs are allowed on the beach before 10:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m. From the day after Labor Day to April 30 each year, dogs are allowed on the beach while open.
- Dogs and bicycles are allowed on the boardwalk between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. from May 1 through Labor Day. From the day after Labor Day to April 30 each year, dogs and bicycles are allowed on the boardwalk while it is open.
Finally, here is a detailed list of beach rules governing our use.
5 Best Myrtle Beach Access Points
Let’s face it: the beach is excellent all along the Grand Strand! But according to the Stemmles, here are the five best beach access points in Myrtle Beach (Moving South to North).
- Huntington Beach State Park
- Surfside Beach Pier
- Myrtle Beach State Park
- 67th Avenue North
- Between 7th & 8th Avenue North Myrtle Beach (Popular with Surfers)
Complete List of Public Beach Access Points in Myrtle Beach
In addition to the list below, you can find all Myrtle Beach public beach access points on this interactive map. Click here.
Here is a quick list of Myrtle Beach Public Beach Access Points from South to North. An asterisk (*) indicates beach access ramps only.
- 29th Avenue South (fully accessible)
- 28th Avenue South
- 27th Avenue South *
- 26th Avenue South
- 25th Avenue South
- 24th Avenue South *
- William Street
- 21st Avenue South
- Hurl Rock Park at 20th Avenue South (fully accessible)
- 19th Avenue South
- 1809 South Ocean Boulevard *
- 1703 South Ocean Boulevard (fully accessible)
- 16th Avenue South *
- 15th Avenue South *
- 13th Avenue South
- 12th Avenue South *
- 11th Avenue South
- 10th Avenue South *
- 9th Avenue South *
- 8th Avenue South
- 7th Avenue South
- 6th Avenue South
- Withers Swash at 451 South Ocean Boulevard
- 3rd Avenue South (fully accessible)
- 2nd Avenue South
- 1st Avenue South
Beach Access Transitioning North
- 1st Avenue North *
- 2nd Avenue North (fully accessible)
- 3rd Avenue North
- 4th Avenue North *
- 5th Avenue North
- 6th Avenue North
- 7th Avenue North *
- 8th Avenue North
- 9th Avenue North
- Plyler Park *
- 12th Avenue North
- 13th Avenue North *
- 14th Avenue North
- 15th Avenue North
- 16th Avenue North *
- 17th Avenue North
- 1708 North Ocean Boulevard
- 1800 North Ocean Boulevard
- 1802 North Ocean Boulevard *
- 1804 North Ocean Boulevard
- Anderson Park *
- 20th Avenue North
- 21st Avenue North
- 2104 North Ocean Boulevard
- 2106 North Ocean Boulevard
- 2108 North Ocean Boulevard
- 2204 North Ocean Boulevard
- 2206 North Ocean Boulevard
- 23rd Avenue North
- 2310 North Ocean Boulevard
- 24th Avenue North
- 25th Avenue North *
- 2502 North Ocean Boulevard
- 26th Avenue North
- 2604 North Ocean Boulevard
- 2606 North Ocean Boulevard
- 2608 North Ocean Boulevard
- 27th Avenue North
- 28th Avenue North
- 2802 North Ocean Boulevard
- 2804 North Ocean Boulevard
- 29th Avenue North
- 30th Avenue North
- 31st Avenue North *
- 34th Avenue North
- 37th Avenue North
- 38th Avenue North (fully accessible)
- 39th Avenue North
- 40th Avenue North
- 41st Avenue North (fully accessible)
- 42nd Avenue North
- 43rd Avenue North
- 44th Avenue North *
- 45th Avenue North
- 46th Avenue North
- 47th Avenue North
- 48th Avenue North
- 49th Avenue North
- 50th Avenue North
- 51st Avenue North
- 52nd Avenue North
- 53rd Avenue North
- Gardens by the Sea, 5400 North Ocean Boulevard (fully accessible)
- Beach Place
- Seaside Place *
- Haskell Circle
- Highland Way
- 63rd Avenue North
- 64th Avenue North (fully accessible)
- 65th Avenue North
- 66th Avenue North
- 67th Avenue North
- 69th Avenue North *
- 70th Avenue North *
- 71st Avenue North
- 72nd Avenue North
- 73rd Avenue North
- 74th Avenue North
- 75th Avenue North
- 76th Avenue North
- 77th Avenue North
- 78th Avenue North
- 79th Avenue North
- 80th Avenue North
- 81st Avenue North
- 82nd Avenue North
- 8702 North Ocean Boulevard
- 8926 North Ocean Boulevard
Dennis Stemmle is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and lecturer at Coastal Carolina University. He writes about travel, college success, and entrepreneurship.