The city of North Myrtle Beach is a location in Horry County, South Carolina. It consists of the following beaches: Cherry Grove, Ocean Drive Beach, Windy Hill Beach, Atlantic Beach, and Crescent Beach. It is not the same as the famous Myrtle Beach, so don’t confuse the two.
North Myrtle Beach is its own city and has everything to offer a visitor and local alike. From a sprawling beach, lively downtown, and plenty of comfortable and modern vacation rental homes to choose from, you’re sure to love your time spent in North Myrtle Beach.
If you love nature and fun outdoor activities, North Myrtle Beach is the place to be. Let’s take a look at some of the best North Myrtle Beach parks in this lush area of South Carolina.
McLean Park
93 Oak Dr, North Myrtle Beach, SC
This park sits on 10 acres of undeveloped land that includes a 2-acre lake. There is a separate playground for different age groups. So your 12-year-old and your two-year-old can get a break from each other and play with their peers. With all the activities in store here, it is impossible for your little ones to get bored while getting plenty of exercise.
Practice your best Wimbledon impression on one of the two tennis courts in this park, while your kids are in the playground. Do you have an adolescent or teenager that is active in baseball? There is also a youth baseball field for their enjoyment, which can also be rented out by groups.
You and the family can take a break after all your amazing sports activities and gather together for a nice picnic lunch. There are up to 3 picnic shelters in this park. The largest picnic shelter can accommodate as many as one hundred people. If you find the area romantic, consider it for a wedding reception.
Area residents may find themselves coming here for several events throughout the year, such as the popular “Sounds of Summer” concerts and holiday events for the kids like the Easter Egg hunt.
North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex
150 Citizens Cir, Little River, SC
Just drive 2 minutes away from Downtown North Myrtle Beach and you will hit these sprawling 162 acres of parkland. This area includes biking trails, walking trails, soccer fields, softball fields, lacrosse fields, and a dog park.
There’s also a huge amphitheater which is perfect for live music and award shows. There are plenty of facilities to host your event. In addition to live music and holiday events, the area has hosted adult dance classes and sports leagues for all ages.
Do you and the family need to cool down after running around on the softball field or jumping around at your dance classes? The sports complex hosts a fully-equipped watersports park called the Shark Park, the only one of its kind in North Myrtle Beach. Take a swim in the surrounding lake and then dry off on one of the many walking trails.
Take your vaccinated and well-behaved fur baby to the dog park. However, if your dog does not fit that description, or is in heat, take it along with you on the over 3 miles of hiking trails. The hiking trails may also be better for large dogs.
Cherry Grove Oceanfront Park
2108 N Ocean Blvd, North Myrtle Beach, SC
If you or a loved one is handicapped and enjoys the beach, this is the perfect spot for you. This compact park has ADA Handicap beach access, a wind turbine, and beach showers to wash off all that sand. After you have worked up an appetite in the ocean, enjoy a nice picnic under a gazebo.
Do you want to catch your dinner for the night or week? No problem! Catch some trout or bass and take a walk along the recently remodeled Fishing Pier. Not in the mood for fish – don’t worry, you can catch some blue crabs as well. Or you can keep things simple and enjoy the fine dining along the pier and have your fish already prepared.
If you’re feeling extra adventurous, go kayaking or paddle boarding in the water around the park. Bring your camera to capture hawks, owls, pelicans, and double-crested cormorants.
Heritage Shores Nature Preserve
5611 Heritage Dr, North Myrtle Beach, SC
Are you a bird watcher? This preserve features feathered wildlife that is not often seen in other places near the area. Take advantage of viewing these beautiful creatures in nature without having to spend a dime. Admission is free year-round.
As you prance around the mile-long boardwalk loop, you’ll be entertained by wildlife beyond birds. Who knows, you may run into a red fox, a raccoon in search of food, or a cute whitetail deer.
The Preserve is very close to Cherry Grove Oceanfront Park, so you can combine both spots into a one-day trip.
Vereen Memorial Gardens
2250 SC-179, Little River, SC
This park is a great place to do extensive walking along the wooden boardwalks and hiking trails. You can observe many small islands and salt marshes over the boardwalks.
This pedestrian-friendly loop extends for 2.3 miles. Come here for an extensive and scenic walk year-round. Bring your four-legged friends with you as long as you keep them on a leash.
There are plenty of places for you to take a break in the form of picnic tables and benches. You can also chill and enjoy the view from the lovely gazebo overlooking the Intracoastal Highway.
Central Park
1400 Outrigger Rd, North Myrtle Beach, SC
Located just on the other side of HWY 17 from the beach, Central Park is a convenient place for you and your children to take a break from the sand. With 20 acres to run and play, this is the largest park in North Myrtle Beach.
Here you’ll find baseball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, pickleball courts, playgrounds, walking trails, and large multipurpose fields. For a park that has a little bit of everything, you and your family will enjoy a visit to Central Park.
J. Bryan Floyd Community Center
1030 Possum Trot Rd, North Myrtle Beach, SC
Located inside of Central Park is the J. Bryan Floyd Community Center. This community center has conference rooms, as well as indoor courts, and a spacious indoor gym.
Cherry Grove Boat Landing
53rd Ave N, North Myrtle Beach, SC
The Cherry Grove Boat Landing is the only public boat launch in Cherry Grove. It’s the ideal spot to launch your boat, kayak, or paddle board into the Intracoastal Waterway. If you’ve brought your own watercraft with you on holiday, you’ll certainly want to pin this location!
The boat launch also has a fishing pier, two parking areas, and public restrooms.
While it’s not the best place to explore by land, it’s the perfect place to enjoy the Grand Strand by water. Here, you’ll be right in the heart of House Creek, a beautiful inlet with plenty to see that’s otherwise inaccessible.
North Myrtle Beach Farmers Market
925 1st Ave S, North Myrtle Beach, SC
May thru October you and your family will love to check out the North Myrtle Beach Farmers Market. Open each Friday from 10am till 3 pm, you’ll have a variety of local vendors to shop from.
Buy local fruits and vegetables to whip up a delicious meal in the kitchen of your vacation rental home or buy meals from local restaurants who have set up a booth. You’ll also find local artisanal goods, art, and jewelry for that perfect souvenir.
Hill Street Park
2346 Hill St, North Myrtle Beach, SC
Hill Street Park is a small neighborhood park in Cherry Grove. It’s 2.5 acres and has a children’s playground, tennis court, and picnic area. While this isn’t necessarily a park you should drive far to enjoy, if you’re staying in the Cherry Grove area, it’s convenience makes it an easy choice to let your kids run wild.
North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center
1100 2nd Ave S, North Myrtle Beach, SC
Commonly referred to as NMB AFC, this fitness center has a lot to offer. Not so much a park, this is a great place to get in a workout or swim some laps during your vacation. If you love swimming but have a hard time getting good exercise in the ocean, I highly recommend you start your day off here.
There are also activities for children. You can leave them in the supervised children’s center while you workout or sign them up for a specific children’s program. They offer a variety of activities, especially in the summer.
Ocean Park
101 S Ocean Boulevard, North Myrtle Beach, SC
Since North Myrtle Beach is a beachfront town, there should be no surprise that one of the local parks is Ocean Park. Ocean Park is a beachfront park that offers parking and direct beach access.
In the summer, they offer a water slide that’s a big hit for kids young and old. You’ll also find public restrooms, concession stands, beach showers, and a picnic area here.
For a day at the beach but with some amenities to make it more comfortable for you and your family, you’ll love Ocean Park.
Russell Burgess Coastal Preserve
3613 Duffy St, North Myrtle Beach, SC
For a change of scenery from the beach, head to Russell Burgess Coastal Preserve. Located in the Cherry Grove neighborhood on House Creek, this natural preserve gives you perfectly tranquil views of the marshland this area is so well-known for.
Here, you can enjoy the walking trails or take it easy and cast a line or go crabbing. Just keep in mind fishing isn’t permitted from the pier, only at ground level. Catch your dinner or simply enjoy your surroundings at Russell Burgess Coastal Preserve.
Yow Park
508 Windy Hill Rd, North Myrtle Beach, SC
Located on the southern edge of North Myrtle Beach in Windy Hill, this neighborhood park has everything you need for an outing with your kids in a small size. At this public park, your kids can play on the playground, shoot hoops at the basketball court, or you can pack a picnic to eat al fresco.
Head Outside To Play At These North Myrtle Beach Parks
Needless to say, there is no shortage of amazing parks in the North Myrtle Beach area. Whether you want to go for a stroll, go fishing, have fun with your dogs, or participate in sports leagues, there is something for you and the whole family to do.
Regardless of the weather, many of these places are accessible year-round. Some of these parks have amazing events such as concerts and holiday festivities. You may enjoy all of these parks, or at the very least find one that suits your specific interests.