Key Points
- Public parks in the Myrtle Beach area are some of the best places to hike and walk. They include Huntington Beach State Park and Myrtle Beach State Park.
- The surrounding area also has a number of good parks with walking trails. Check out Horry County Bike and Run Park for good walking and running trails.
- The Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens is a more relaxed walk, surrounded by beautiful botanical gardens and historic trails.
Myrtle Beach is known a lot more for sun and sand than it is for hiking, but there are still some good trails to be had here. If you’re in Myrtle Beach and want to get your hiking fix in, then you’re in luck.
Of course, the beach is where the walking is the best, but in this post, we’ll look at other hiking and walking trails in the Myrtle Beach area.
Recommended: Is Myrtle Beach a Walkable City?
- Key Points
- Quick Guide: Hiking trails Near Myrtle Beach
- Huntington Beach State Park
- Myrtle Beach State Park
- McLean Park
- Horry County Bike and Run Park
- Brookgreen Gardens
- Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge
- Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens
- Heritage Shores Nature Preserve
- The East Coast Greenway
- The Bottom Line
- Recommended
Quick Guide: Hiking trails Near Myrtle Beach
Huntington Beach State Park
Address: 16148 Ocean Hwy, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Huntington Beach State Park offers hiking, the beach, fishing, and a nature center. The park is also home to Atalaya Castle, a historic Moorish-style mansion that is also a Myrtle Beach hidden spot.
There are two trails at Huntington Beach:
- Kerrigan Nature Trail: This is an easy, 0.3 mile walk over Mullet Pond, where you can see a variety of waterfowl. This trail also leads you to the Atalaya.
- Sandpiper Pond Nature Trail: The Sandpiper Pond Nature Trail is a short, self-guided nature trail that takes you around Sandpiper Pond. It’s an excellent spot for birdwatching and observing local wildlife.
Pets
Dogs are welcome at Huntington Beach State Park. They must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. They are not allowed on the north end of the beach or in the Atalaya.
Myrtle Beach State Park
Address: 4401 South Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC
Whether you’re hiking, picnicking, or beachcombing, Myrtle Beach State Park offers a plethora of activities to keep you entertained.
There are two trails at this park. Both of these trails lead to the boardwalk going to the beach:
- Yaupon Trail: The Yaupon Nature Trail is 0.4 miles long and winds through a maritime forest and is known for its tranquil atmosphere, shaded pathways, and opportunities for observing native flora and fauna.
- Sculptured Oak Trail: The Sculptured Oak Nature Trail is a 0.5 mile long, easy path that starts at the parking area for the nature and activity centers.
Pets
Pets are allowed in the park, as long as they are on a leash no longer than 6 feet. But they are not allowed on the beaches from 10AM to 5PM every day of the week, from May 1 through Labor Day.
McLean Park
Address: 93 Oak Dr, North Myrtle Beach, SC
McLean Park is tucked away in North Myrtle Beach and offers a tranquil escape from the bustling city. The park’s centerpiece is a large lake. It is full of amenities for families, including playgrounds, tennis courts, baseball fields, 3 picnic shelters, and a gazebo.
Within McLean Park is a 0.5 mile paved walking path and fitness trail, great for a leisurely walk or a jog.
Pets
McLean Park is a popular spot to bring your dog. The trails are great place to walk your dog, and overall this is a top pet-friendly spot in Myrtle Beach.
Horry County Bike and Run Park
Address: 150 Frontage Rd B-2, Myrtle Beach, SC
Next up is the Horry County Bike and Run Park, fondly known as “The Hulk.” This park is a favorite among locals and visitors alike, with a challenging multi-use trail system that winds through forests and over hills.
As the name implies, the trails are mixed use and great for both trail running and mountain biking. This is one of the longest trail systems on the list, at over 7 miles.
Since it is both a walking and bike trail, you’ll need to be sure you are traveling in the correct direction and also look out for others who are using the trail system.
A more recent addition to the park, completed in the Summer of 2023, is a skills area for bikers.
Pets
There aren’t any specific rules against bringing your dog here, but it can get tricky with the mountain bikers. Obviously, dogs and bikes don’t typically mix well anyway, and the narrow singletrack trails mean you won’t have much time to get out of the way if you’ve got a fast mountain biker headed towards you.
Brookgreen Gardens
Address: 1931 Brookgreen Drive Murrells Inlet, SC
Brookgreen Gardens is a unique garden museum and home to a collection of American figurative sculptures set amidst manicured gardens and untouched wilderness areas.
The gardens offer various trails for a beautiful hike filled with fountains, flowers, and native SC plants. They have a wide variety of flowers blooming nearly every month of the year here.
They also have a variety of excursions, like the Creek Excursion, where you’ll ride in a pontoon boat and see alligators, various species of birds, and lots more native wildlife. There is also a zoo, the Lowcountry Zoo, with red wolves, otters, and a butterfly house.
Pets
Pets are not allowed at Brookgreen Gardens.
Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge
Address: 1403 W Cox Ferry Rd, Conway, SC
If wildlife watching is on your hiking agenda, then the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge in nearby Conway is a must-visit. This refuge is a sanctuary for a variety of wildlife, including endangered and threatened species.
The refuge’s hiking trails wind through diverse habitats, from wetlands to forests. In addition to hiking, you can also go fishing, paddling, and birding there. Be sure to check out the Cox Ferry Recreational Area, with a Swamp Boardwalk where you can be completely in nature.
There are quite a few trails here, but check the trail list first because some are not yet open to the public.
Pets
Pets are welcome here, but they must be on a leash.
Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens
Information on the trails are hard to find online, so I included this map from AllTrails so you’ve got what you need.
Address: 2250 SC-179, Little River, SC
Step back in time as you explore the Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens. This site offers a fascinating glimpse into the region’s history, with historical markers detailing its past. The gardens are a peaceful retreat, with winding trails that lead you through forests and along the Intracoastal Waterway.
The park has the Vereen Memorial Gardens loop, which takes you along boardwalks and through the salt marshes. It is about a 45 minute walk.
Pets
Dogs are allowed at Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens, but they must be on a leash and you must clean up after them.
Heritage Shores Nature Preserve
Address: 5611 Heritage Dr, North Myrtle Beach, SC
Heritage Shores Nature Preserve is a coastal gem that beckons nature enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful escape. Spanning over 7 acres, this preserve is home to a 1.2 mile boardwalk that has interpretive signs to be sure you don’t miss the wildlife you’ll encounter along the way.
This park is located near the Cherry Grove Boat Ramp, and is home to deer, fox, and plenty of waterfowl. You can also enjoy fishing off one of the piers, and catch flounder, sea trout, and red drum.
Pets
Dogs are allowed, but must be on a leash.
The East Coast Greenway
The East Coast Greenway, which funs from Maine to Key West, goes right through Myrtle Beach and features a variety of trails you can enjoy. This includes the Grissom Parkway Trail, which runs for over 20 miles but of which a little over 6 miles are on the Greenway. This is also where you’ll find the Perron Trail, which is a little bit over 1 mile long.
The East Coast Greenway runs right through the Grand Strand, so if you’re visiting Myrtle Beach you’ll see there are plenty of convenient paths nearby. Be sure to check their website for a full list of trails. If you stay at the Convention Center, you’ll be near all the action, including walking and hiking.
The Bottom Line
While Myrtle Beach may not be known for hiking, there are still some good hiking, walking, biking trails in the area. You’ll find mostly easy trails here, but fun walking trails and nature paths to enjoy a leisurely stroll and get away from the excitement of the city.
