Beyond the nine-mile stretch of beaches, scenic waterways, and golf courses, you'll find hiking trails in North Myrtle Beach. Our sandal (and sneaker) friendly city features several natural and man-made trails along the sandy shores, through our parks and reserves, and over salt marshes, perfect for the entire family. Here are some of our favorite year-round hiking trails and footpaths.

Heritage Shores Nature Preserve

Discover grassy nature trails, elevated boardwalks, and majestic wildlife at Heritage Shores Nature Preserve. Hikers of all ages and skill levels will enjoy the scenic one-mile trail loop winding through the preserve’s seven acres and a series of interpretive viewing stations.

While on your hiking journey around the marshland, keep an eye out for resident wildlife critters, like crabs and white-tail deer. Leashed dogs are welcome if you want to bring your pet along. Heritage Shores is also a popular spot for marsh kayaking and birdwatching (catch blue herons, pelicans, ospreys, and more!) 

North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex

Hiking is a popular pastime at the 160-acre North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex, where outdoor activities and sports reign supreme. Explore the three easy trails that wind around the sports complex and its 10-acre meadow and 25-acre lake. The Lakeside Trail is one mile and perfect for a leisurely walk or heart-pumping jog. Both the Carolina Bay and Meadow trails are about a half-mile each. Leashed dogs are allowed in the park.

Besides hiking, the park is also home to baseball, softball, lacrosse, and soccer fields, batting tunnels, a dog park, and Shark Wake Park, home to a floating obstacle course and activities like knee boarding and water skiing.

 

Waites Island

It’s about the journey and the destination at Waites Island, situated north of the Heritage Shores Nature Preserve. You can reach this slice of heaven on land via horseback or water through the salty marshes on a kayak or paddleboard. Once there, enjoy wildlife watching, guided kayak tours, shelling, and plenty of beach hiking. 

With more than 1,000 acres, you can visit the barrier island again and again and always discover something new on foot.

More Hiking Spots

A hub for hiking and athletic activities, add Central Park to your outdoor adventure. The NMB park features a paved, quarter-mile-long hiking trail and several fields and courts for baseball, softball, tennis, basketball, and pickleball. 

And there’s also the Russell Burgess Coastal Preserve, which features an elevated boardwalk that weaves through the salt marsh.  

Prepare Ahead of Time

Before embarking on a hike, be sure to wear comfortable hiking shoes and take items like refillable water bottles, sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses for everyone in your crew.

Whichever trail(s) you choose, an experience rich in sights and adventure awaits you and your family in North Myrtle Beach.