Since 1935, this stretch of oceanfront maritime forest has offered something increasingly rare along the heavily developed Grand Strand: a genuine escape from high-rises and boardwalk arcades, without leaving Myrtle Beach itself. The park’s fishing pier, campground tucked into the woods just steps from the sand, and one of South Carolina’s last easily accessible stands of oceanfront maritime forest have made it a multi-generational tradition for families from across the country. But a few current fee structures and seasonal rules are worth understanding before you plan a 2026 trip.
Here’s what to know about pier fishing costs, beach pet rules, and camping options at Myrtle Beach State Park.
Myrtle Beach State Park Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Location | Myrtle Beach, SC (south end of the Grand Strand) |
| Established | 1935 |
| Park hours | 6 a.m.–10 p.m. (March–November); 6 a.m.–8 p.m. (December–February) |
| Park admission | $8 adults; $5 SC seniors (65+); $4 children 6–15; free 5 and under |
| Pier fishing (daily) | $8 ages 16+; $5 SC seniors/disabled; $3 children 6–15; free 5 and under |
| Pier fishing (annual) | $150 (16+); $100 (senior/disabled); $75 (6–15) |
| Camping | 302 sites (up to 40 ft trailers) plus 45 seasonal tent-only overflow sites |
| Pet-restricted beach hours | 10 a.m.–5 p.m., May 1–Labor Day (Horry County ordinance) |
| Pets in cabins | Not permitted |
| Busiest hours | 10 a.m.–2 p.m. — arrive outside this window on summer weekends |
Park Admission vs. Pier Fishing: Two Separate Fees
This distinction matters for anyone planning a day at Myrtle Beach State Park. Walking onto the pier itself, without fishing, is free and included in your standard park admission of $8 for adults, $5 for SC seniors, $4 for children 6 to 15, and free for kids 5 and under. If you actually want to drop a line in the water, though, pier fishing carries its own separate daily charge, also $8 for adults with matching senior and child discounts, purchased at the pier store where you also find bait, tackle, and rod rentals.
Notably, you don’t need a South Carolina fishing license to fish from the pier specifically, since the park’s own daily or annual pass covers that access. However, if you’re surf fishing from the beach rather than the pier, South Carolina does require a saltwater fishing license for shore-based fishing, a distinction worth understanding before you assume one payment covers every type of fishing in the park.
Annual Passes: Worth It for Regular Anglers
If you fish here regularly, the annual pier pass runs $150 for adults, dropping to $100 for SC seniors and disabled residents, and $75 for children 6 to 15. A King fishing add-on is also available for anglers targeting king mackerel specifically, running an additional $11 daily or bundled into a $175 annual pass. Registered campers staying at the park can also purchase discounted 7-day passes, a solid option if you’re camping for a week and plan to fish multiple days without committing to the full annual rate.
The Beach Pet Rule: A County Ordinance, Not Just Park Policy
This restriction applies across all public beaches in Horry County, not just within the state park itself, so it’s worth understanding regardless of where along the Grand Strand you’re staying. Pets are prohibited on the beach from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., seven days a week, from May 1 through Labor Day. Outside this daily window and season, leashed pets remain welcome on the beach and in most other outdoor areas of the park year-round.
Bikes are also restricted from the beach during these same hours and dates, a detail worth knowing if you were planning to ride along the shoreline during a summer midday visit. Pets are never permitted in the park’s cabins or immediate cabin areas, regardless of season, so factor that into your lodging choice if traveling with a dog.
Camping: Main Campground vs. Summer Overflow
Myrtle Beach State Park’s main campground offers 302 sites with individual water and electrical hookups, located about 300 yards from the beach and accommodating RVs and trailers up to 40 feet. During peak summer months specifically, June through August, an additional 45 overflow sites open for tent campers, offering water access but no electrical hookups. All campsites, regardless of type, provide access to hot showers, restrooms, and laundromat facilities, along with complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the campground.
Given the park’s popularity, especially during summer, booking your site well in advance is worth doing rather than counting on last-minute availability, particularly for the electrical hookup sites in the main campground versus the more limited seasonal tent overflow area.
Beating the Crowds: Arrival Timing Matters
Parking at Myrtle Beach State Park operates first-come, first-served with genuinely limited capacity, and the park explicitly warns that it can reach normal capacity and temporarily close during peak hours, specifically 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., on summer weekends and holidays. If you’re visiting for the day rather than camping, arriving outside this peak window significantly improves your odds of finding parking and avoiding a temporary closure.
One practical tip worth remembering: if you forget something at your vehicle or campsite during a busy day, consider picking it up before you head deep into the park, since re-entry during a capacity closure could mean an extended wait or being turned away entirely until space opens back up.
Fishing Rules Worth Knowing Before You Cast
Beyond the license distinction between pier and surf fishing, a few other rules apply specifically to pier anglers. Shark fishing is prohibited from the fishing pier entirely, and there’s a two-pole limit per person when fishing from the pier. Shoes are required while on the pier itself, a safety rule worth remembering if you’re used to going barefoot on the beach nearby. Surf fishing isn’t permitted in areas of the beach where lifeguards are actively on duty, so plan your surf fishing spot accordingly if you’re avoiding the guarded swimming zones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Do I need to pay separately to fish from the pier, or is it included in park admission?
Walking on the pier is free with standard park admission, but actually fishing requires a separate daily fishing pass purchased at the pier store, priced the same as general admission at $8 for adults with discounts for seniors and children.
Q2. Can I bring my dog to the beach during a summer visit?
Only outside the 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. window, May 1 through Labor Day, per a Horry County ordinance covering all public beaches in the area, not just the state park. Outside that daily window and season, leashed pets remain welcome on the beach.
Q3. Do I need a South Carolina fishing license to fish here?
It depends on where you’re fishing. Pier fishing is covered by the park’s own daily or annual fishing pass and doesn’t require a separate state license. Surf fishing from the beach itself does require a South Carolina saltwater fishing license.
Q4. What time should I arrive to avoid the park reaching capacity?
Aim to arrive before 10 a.m. or after 2 p.m., especially on summer weekends and holidays, since parking is first-come, first-served with limited spaces, and the park can temporarily close to new arrivals during peak midday hours.
