The Best Playgrounds and Parks in Myrtle Beach
Playgrounds and parks in Myrtle Beach offer free or cheap, family-friendly entertainment via their climbing structures, trails, picnic areas, and sports courts. Few activities are cheaper than visiting a city park in Myrtle Beach because these recreational spaces are free to use, and the area’s state parks charge less than $10 per person. You’ll enjoy quality family time outside, without spending a fortune, and your kids get to let loose where it’s safe and encouraged.
When you’re looking for playgrounds, Myrtle Beach city parks feature a variety of equipment and structures, plus green spaces to accommodate everyone from kids to canines and adults. Myrtle Beach is home to more than 40 parks which include a mix of playgrounds, memorial sites, and dog parks, and there are two state parks in the vicinity. Three parks with newer playgrounds in Myrtle Beach include Futrell Park, Gardens by the Sea, and Chapin Park, which were all renovated within the last couple of years. And nearly every Myrtle Beach playground offers grassy areas for picnics and playing, and several parks include shelters and benches for sitting in the sun or shade.
While the kid-friendly hotels in the Grand Strand offer endless entertainment, taking a respite from the bustling pool deck or shoreline at a Myrtle Beach playground can be a welcome break, especially during the busy season. And these parks are for grownups, too: The trails, sports courts, and benches are ideal for adults and couples who want to relax or exercise.
If you need a break from the pool or the beach, consult our handy list to find great parks and kid-friendly playgrounds in Myrtle Beach:
Myrtle Beach State Park
4401 South Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach, SC 29575
Myrtle Beach State Park stretches along the Grand Strand coastline, offering an escape from the downtown noise, summer traffic, and crowded beaches. Not only does this park provide a place to enjoy typical fun-in-the-sun activities, like lounging on the sand, fishing, or flying kites in Myrtle Beach, but it also hosts educational programming for the entire family. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $4 for children ages 6 to 15.
Huntington Beach State Park
16148 Ocean Hwy., Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Though this park isn’t technically in Myrtle Beach, locals claim it as their own. Despite the 20-minute drive and admission fees, many Grand Strand residents prefer to spend beach days at Huntington Beach State Park. The perks include dog-friendly beaches, well-maintained restroom facilities, groomed nature trails, fewer crowds, and the historic Atalaya Castle tours. All this entertainment is worth the admission, which is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $4 for children ages 6 to 15.
Myrtle Waves Water Park
3000 Mr. Joe White Ave., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Add Myrtle Waves Water Park to your vacation checklist this summer. The 22 exhilarating waterslides, wave pool, kid-friendly splash zone, and shaded pavilions give every family member a place to enjoy during your outing. Though this isn’t a conventional park with green spaces and swings, it’ll wear out the kids and give them lasting memories just the same.
More Info
The Market Common Parks
While The Market Common is known for its boutique shops and eateries, this area is also home to one of the best Myrtle Beach playgrounds and a variety of sports fields. Valor Park, just steps from the storefronts, offers walking paths, green spaces, and an accessible playscape in Myrtle Beach called Savannah’s Playground. Grand Park across the street features many sports fields for softball or baseball, plus trails and a dog park that anyone staying at a pet-friendly hotel in Myrtle Beach will appreciate.
Elsie’s Playground at Broadway at the Beach
1320 Celebrity Cir., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Visitors love Broadway at the Beach entertainment district, and when kids need an outlet for their energy midday, it’s a relief to have Elsie’s Playground right on-site. The small yet adequate playground offers enough equipment for little ones to enjoy and its seating near the waterway provides an excellent spot for adults to relax.
Gardens by the Sea
5504 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
The hotels on the end of North Ocean Boulevard enjoy easy access to this newly updated Myrtle Beach playground. The highlight of the play structure is a large pirate ship kids can imagine taking out on the ocean nearby. This park is directly on the beachfront, so parents can listen to the waves crashing and take in the view while their children play.
Chapin Park
400 14th Ave. North, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
This park is only a short walk away from your Boardwalk hotel in Myrtle Beach, and features a playground and walking path to let everyone get some exercise and outdoor time. Loads of Myrtle Beach restaurants are nearby to grab lunch to go and enjoy a picnic on the park’s benches or grass.
Futrell Park
1053 Futrell Dr., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
This park was renovated recently and now features some of the most advanced playground equipment in Myrtle Beach. The play spaces are covered with synthetic turf designed to stay cooler than traditional materials. This turf is also anti-microbial, non-toxic, and wheelchair accessible. Besides play structures, you’ll also find a splash pad, exercise fixtures, and picnic shelters. This playground is located in a residential area about a mile from the northernmost Myrtle Beach Boardwalk hotels.
