Literally. Take a hike this summer. Our two state parks (Myrtle Beach and Huntington Beach) offer soul-restoring walks through nature and give a taste of the ancient maritime forests that once blanketed the coastal Carolinas. Additionally, nature-minded municipalities, non-profit endowments and private citizens have created public trails for the restorative enjoyment and good health of visitors and locals alike.
Huntington Beach State Park (pictured above)
16148 Ocean Highway, Murrells Inlet
(843) 237-4440
www.southcarolinaparks.com/huntington-beach
A favorite of birdwatchers, this park’s trails and dunes are reminiscent of the original, undeveloped Carolina coast. Includes boardwalks, overlooks and alligator habitats.
Myrtle Beach State Park
4401 S. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach
(843) 238-5325
www.southcarolinaparks.com/myrtle-beach
Easy trails with markers identifying natural flora and fauna wind through the woods. Stroll past a pond and then back to the beach.
Vereen Memorial Gardens
2250 S.C. 179, Little River
(843) 249-4157
Maintained as an Horry County park, enjoy miles of nature trails, salt marshes and botanical gardens. As peaceful and relaxing as a hike can get.
Waccamaw River Park
1101 State Road S-26-14, Conway
(843) 448-1950
www.conwayparksandrecreation.com
Celebrating its one-year anniversary this summer, this park includes hiking and mountain biking trails, a picnic shelter and a nine-hole disc golf course, as well as boardwalks.
Horry County Bike and Run Park
(The Hulk)
150 Frontage Road B-2, Myrtle Beach
(843) 915-5330
Becoming famous among trail “heads,” check out the half-dozen YouTube videos of this beautiful, strenuous course running for seven miles between the Intracoastal Waterway and Carolina Forest.
