While hotels, shops and restaurants fill most of Myrtle Beach's shore space, you still can find plenty of walking trails in and around the city. If you want to enjoy nature, observe wildlife and learn about native flora and fauna, check out the trails at two nearby state parks. Urban walkways and city parks provide other opportunities to soak up Myrtle Beach's distinctive flavor.
State Park Strolls
- You can find two short nature trails in the Myrtle Beach State Park, both starting in the south beach parking lot near the Nature/Activity Center. You can follow either trail to the shore, and they intersect, so you can do a loop rather than taking the trail both ways. Signs provide information about native trees, such as hollies, magnolias and live oaks, as well as local ecology. The Sculptured Oak Trail runs a half mile, and if you opt to go straight rather than turning toward the beach, you can see a small pond. The Yaupon Trail, four-tenths of a mile, has a fork leading to a wetland, where you can look for birds and native reptiles, amphibians and flora.
Going Greenway
- The East Coast Greenway, still in development as of 2014, is projected to run 2,600 miles, from northern Maine to Key West. Segments of the trail have opened in Myrtle Beach, and you can walk, bike and even rollerblade along paved portions. Other areas, under construction, are designated trails but might not be paved yet; the status continues to change. You can reach the East Coast Greenway from the beaches at Myrtle Beach State Park and the 25th, 27th and 46th streets beach access points in North Myrtle Beach.
Boardwalk Basics
- If you like walking in urban spaces, you might enjoy the boardwalk in downtown Myrtle Beach. Divided into three sections, the boardwalk runs from the 15th Avenue North Park to First Avenue North. The North Dunes Walkway section, which reaches south to Plyler Park, is an elevated, 8-foot-wide stretch surrounded by dunes and hotels. You can access the beach from several points along the boardwalk. The Central Wooden Boardwalk Section, from Plyler Park to Eighth Avenue North, takes you past shops and restaurants. The wooden walkway varies between 25 and 50 feet wide. The final part of the boardwalk is the South Promenade Section, where you can choose from several paths and trails in a park environment.
Other Options
- The Grand Park Recreational complex has a walking path just over a mile long and a fitness station, as well as a lake. On rainy days, you can use the indoor jogging track at the Pepper Geddings Recreation Center. If you want to expand your workout, take advantage of the facility's gymnasiums, a swimming pool and aerobic, cardio and weight rooms.
