Campgrounds and RV parks near Garden City, SC

The beach is the main draw. Garden City Pier, the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk to the south, and the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk to the north are all within a short drive, and every listed campground has direct or near-direct beach access. On-site activities are a defining feature of the private resorts. Ocean Lakes Family Campground runs the Sandy Harbor Family Fun Center with an Olympic-size outdoor pool, a year-round indoor pool, a water park with a lazy river and slides, mini golf, and a games arcade. Fishing, surf casting from the pier, nature-center programs, and shaded hiking are the draws at Myrtle Beach State Park. Off-site, families typically pair camp time with Broadway at the Beach, Ripley's Aquarium, Brookgreen Gardens, and the go-kart and mini-golf strip along Highway 17.

The Grand Strand runs a long, busy peak season. Summer, roughly Memorial Day through Labor Day, is when oceanfront sites fill first, humidity peaks, and afternoon thunderstorms are routine. Booking eight to twelve weeks out is often too late for prime holiday weekends at the larger resorts, and July 4th weekend at Ocean Lakes Family Campground typically books more than a year ahead. Spring and fall are the sweet spot for RV travel. Ocean water stays warm enough to swim well into October, crowds ease after Labor Day, and midweek availability improves. Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, with peak activity from August into October. Travelers in that window should watch National Hurricane Center advisories and confirm cancellation policies before arrival. Winter is mild but cool, and many outdoor pools and water features close. Myrtle Beach State Park stays open year-round, though the 30-site overflow tent area only operates from Easter weekend through Labor Day.

Sites at the large private resorts are engineered for big rigs. All Ocean Lakes Family Campground sites are pull-through and generally accommodate 40-foot rigs or larger with slideouts on both sides, and rates include 20-30-50 amp electric, water, sewer, cable TV, and Wi-Fi. Concrete pads are standard on most sites. Golf carts are the local currency along this stretch of coast. At Myrtle Beach State Park, up to two golf carts may be registered with each reserved campsite, and Ocean Lakes and Pirateland allow permitted carts throughout their properties. Check-in at the state park is 2:00 p.m., and because parking capacity is limited, guests arriving earlier may be asked to leave and return later. Pets are welcome at most campsites, but Horry County rules restrict dogs on the beach during daytime hours from May 1 through Labor Day.