South Carolina Beaches: Parking, Dogs and Lifeguards

Destinations › Beaches and Islands

South Carolina has 19 public ocean beaches you can drive to on our list, from North Myrtle Beach to Hilton Head Island. 3 list free parking, 4 are state parks with an entry fee, and 19 allow dogs at least part of the year. Rules below are from each town's or park's own page.

Beaches19public, drive-to
Free Parking3as published
State Park Beaches4entry fee
Dogs Allowed19some with season limits

Which Beach Should I Pick?

Every Public Beach, North to South

Beach	Access and parking	Entry fee	Dogs	Lifeguards	Source
North Myrtle Beach (city beach, incl. Cherry Grove, Ocean Drive, Crescent Beach, Windy Hill) North Myrtle Beach, Grand Strand	City says it has over 50 locations for public parking for beach access and its Parks and Grounds division manages over 240 beach accesses; 41 lot-associated accesses are listed (20 north of Main Street, 21 south). Parking pay stations are run by Park North Myrtle Beach; the interactive map shows each lot and its amenities.		"May 15 to Labor Day: No dogs allowed on the beach 10 am to 4 pm." Leashes are required at all times and owners must pick up waste.	City Beach Patrol (Police Department) says it hires about 120 lifeguards each year. Season dates and hours are not stated on the pages read.	source
Myrtle Beach (city beach, oceanfront and Boardwalk) Myrtle Beach, Grand Strand	Beach accesses and street ends citywide: $3.00 per hour or $15.00 all day. Paid parking March 1 to September 30, 9:00 a.m. to midnight, seven days. From October 1 (2026) to end of February, parking is free at city-metered spaces between Sixth Avenue South and 21st Avenue North; metered spaces north of 21st Ave N and south of Sixth Ave S stay paid year-round.		May 1 through Labor Day: dogs and bicycles allowed on the beach only before 10:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m. Day after Labor Day through April 30: dogs allowed on beach and boardwalk at any time. Boardwalk May 1-Labor Day: dogs only 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Leash of seven feet or shorter at all times; service dogs excluded.	Lifeguard services run through a city franchise agreement; Police Beach Patrol and, in peak season, three EMS crews also work the beach. Season dates not stated on the page read.	source
Myrtle Beach State Park Myrtle Beach, Grand Strand	Parking is first-come, first-served and limited; the park advises arriving outside 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. peak, especially on summer weekends and holidays. Park hours: daily 6 a.m.-10 p.m. March-Nov.; daily 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec.-Feb.	$8 adults; $5/SC seniors (age 65 & older); $4/child age 6-15; Free for children 5 and younger. Additional charges for pier fishing, camping and certain programs.	Pets are not allowed on the beaches from 10 am until 5 pm (7 days a week) May 1 through Labor Day. Pets allowed in most other outdoor areas year round on a leash no longer than six feet; not allowed in cabins or cabin areas.	"Horry County lifeguards are stationed on the beach north of the pier from mid-May until mid-Sept." Swimming is permitted anywhere in the Atlantic at your own risk.	source
Surfside Beach (town beach) Surfside Beach, Grand Strand	Town runs beach-area public lots. Paid parking March 1 through October 31, 2026, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; free before and after those hours. Premium lots $3 per hour or $15 per day (Seaside Drive, Yaupon Lot, 3rd, 6th, 3rd South, 4th South, 5th South, 6th South Avenues, 13th South Beach Side, Melody Lane); non-premium lots $2 per hour or $10 per day; Pier Lot $4 per hour with no daily maximum.		Dogs and other domestic pets are not allowed on the public beach from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 1 through Labor Day. At other times leashed dogs are allowed. Reptiles, exotic animals and horses are not allowed at any time.	Page read gives no lifeguard hours or locations.	source
Garden City Beach (Unincorporated Horry County) Garden City, Grand Strand	"Parking is free and open year-round at all oceanfront Garden City beach accesses." Paid lots along Magnolia Drive (off Waccamaw Drive) and the Ambrosino Parking Lot near Azalea Drive; rates not listed.		Horry County beach rule: animals are not allowed on the beach from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 1 through Labor Day; hand-held leash no longer than 7 feet; owners clean up.	Horry County page: lifeguards are required along parts of these beaches from May 15 through September 15; sections covered are not stated.	source
Pawleys Island (town beach) Pawleys Island, Pee Dee	Georgetown County lot at the south end of Springs Avenue is the island's largest free public beach access lot. Eight more public accesses: First Street, Davis Drive, Second Street, Pearce Street, Third Street, Shell Road, Hazard Street, Pritchard Street; about 141 spaces total, limited. Parking in public beach accesses not allowed 11 PM to 6 AM.		Dogs must be on a leash May 1 to Sept. 30, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Owners must pick up after pets.	"No lifeguards are on duty at any time." Life rings at several accesses.	source
Litchfield Beach (unincorporated Georgetown County accesses) Litchfield Beach, Pee Dee	County beach accesses open one hour before sunrise until 10 p.m. April 15-Oct 31 and until 8 p.m. Nov 1-April 14 (page lists closing times 10 pm and 8 pm). Litchfield beach access numbers are in a county PDF.		"Dogs must be leashed from 9 am to 7 pm. Dogs that are not leashed during other hours must be under voice control" and owners must be able to demonstrate it to an officer. No horses on the beach March 1 to October 31.	Page read does not mention lifeguards.	source
Huntington Beach State Park Murrells Inlet, Pee Dee	Park hours 6 a.m.-6 p.m. daily (extended to 9 p.m. during Daylight Saving Time). Limited parking: temporary weekend and holiday closures may occur; arrive outside 10 a.m.-2 p.m.	$8/adult; $5/S.C. Senior; $4/youth age 6-15; Free for children 5 and younger. Atalaya: $2/person ages 6 and up; children 5 and under free.	Dog-friendly year round, no season dates listed. Leash no longer than six feet at all times. Dogs may use the south end of the beach; barred from the north end (north lot beach access to the jetty). Dogs prohibited in buildings including Atalaya.	No lifeguards; swimming in the Atlantic at your own risk.	source
Isle of Palms (city beach) Isle of Palms, Lowcountry	Paid parking enforced March 1 to October 31, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at city lots (Municipal Lots A and B on Pavilion Drive) and on-street paid stations on Front Beach (pay by phone or kiosk). Several street areas are free (e.g. Palm Blvd 21st-40th and 42nd-53rd Avenues; 3rd-9th Avenues parts). Rates published on parkiop.org, not on city page.		Off-leash allowed April 1 to September 14, 5am to 9am; September 15 to March 31, 4pm to 10am. Otherwise leashed or under voice command; owners clean up. Dogs must be vaccinated and wear a metal license tag.	Beach rules page does not mention lifeguards (county park lifeguards listed separately).	source
Isle of Palms County Park Isle of Palms, Lowcountry	Lot has 445 spaces and usually fills to capacity by 10:30 a.m. on weekends and holidays. Rules: park in designated areas only; no overnight parking or camping. Charleston County Parks fee schedule (search excerpt of ccprc page): May-Labor Day $15 weekdays, $25 weekends and holidays; $5 Jan-Feb and Nov-Dec; $10 March and October; $15 April and September; walk-ins and bicyclists free; Gold Pass members free; RV/camper $40, buses $75.		County rule: pets leashed, cleaned up after, under control; not left in vehicles. City of Isle of Palms rules also apply on the beach: off-leash April 1-Sept 14 5-9am; Sept 15-March 31 4pm-10am.	"Lifeguards are on duty seasonally and shall be obeyed at all times." Search excerpt of the park page: weekends only through end of September, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., plus Labor Day.	source
Sullivan's Island (town beach) Sullivan's Island, Lowcountry	Public beach access paths with parking only in street right-of-way, all four tires off pavement, not blocking streets or beach paths. Town page names public parking in front of Battery Thomson and behind Town Hall during non-business hours (search excerpt). Accessible paths at Station 26, 21 and 18 1/2.		Summer May 1-Sept 30: off leash 5:00-10:00 a.m.; no dogs on beach 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; on leash 6:00 p.m.-5:00 a.m. Winter Oct 1-April 30: off leash 5:00 a.m.-noon; on leash noon-5:00 a.m. All dogs need a town license; loose dogs not allowed in dunes or near turtle nests.	"None are on duty at any time." Everyone enters the ocean at their own risk.	source
Folly Beach (city beach) Folly Beach, Lowcountry	City parking rules: all four tires off the roadway outside white lines; not in crosswalks, on sidewalks, dunes or revetments; keep 20 ft from intersections, 30 ft from stop signs, 15 ft from hydrants. Fines up to $1,092. Parking help 843-580-0423 (24 hours). Meter/lot rates not on the page read.		"Dogs are not allowed on the beach from 10 AM to 6 PM, May 1 to September 30." At other times leashed and under control; owners pick up waste; never allowed on the pier.	Charleston County Parks staffs lifeguards at West End County Park and on the beachfront from 2nd Street East to 3rd Street West, from May through Labor Day.	source
Folly Beach County Park (west end) Folly Beach, Lowcountry	Lot has 225 spaces and usually fills by 10:30 a.m. on weekends and holidays. Rules: park in designated areas only, no overnight parking or camping. CCPRC schedule (search excerpt of ccprc page): May-Labor Day $15 Monday-Friday and $25 weekends and holidays; Gold Pass members free; walk-ins and bicyclists free.		"Dogs are not allowed on the beach from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from May 1st to Sept. 30th." At other times leashed and under control. Pets must not be left in vehicles.	"Lifeguards are on duty seasonally and shall be obeyed at all times." Search excerpt of ccprc page: weekends only from May 9, daily Memorial Day to August 9, weekends August 15 to September 27 plus Labor Day.
Kiawah Beachwalker Park Kiawah Island, Lowcountry	Lot has 150 spaces and usually fills by 10:30 a.m. in summer; staff can add visitors to a virtual line when full. CCPRC fee schedule (search excerpt of ccprc page): $15 weekdays and $25 weekends/holidays May-Labor Day; $5 Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec; $10 March and October; $15 April and September after Labor Day; walk-ins and bicyclists free; Gold Pass free; RV/camper $40; bus $75.		Park rule: pets leashed, cleaned up after, under control at all times. Town of Kiawah: March 1 to October 15 dogs must be leashed at all times; October 16 to February 28 dogs may be off-leash.	"Lifeguards are on duty seasonally and shall be obeyed at all times." Search excerpt of ccprc page: weekends only from May 9, daily Memorial Day to August 9, weekends August 15 to Labor Day.	source
Edisto Beach (town beach) Edisto Beach, Lowcountry	37 public beach accesses, one at each intersection on Palmetto Boulevard; most cross a dune, some have off-street parking and walkovers. Parking allowed 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; no overnight parking. Beach mats at Accesses 1, 9, 20, 28. Page lists no fees.		Dogs must be on a leash May 1 through October 31; owners clean up. Page lists unleashed dogs as prohibited on those dates.	"There are no lifeguards on duty."	source
Edisto Beach State Park Edisto Island, Lowcountry	Park hours 7 a.m.-6 p.m. daily (extended to 8 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time); office M-F 9am-5pm. Parking details not listed. "Beach Access 3 is open to foot traffic only" due to erosion.	$8/adult; $5 SC seniors; $4/child age 6-15; Free for children 5 and younger.	Pets not allowed in cabins or cabin areas; allowed in most other outdoor areas on a short leash/physical restraint. No dates or hours listed.	"There are no lifeguards on duty"; swimming at your own risk.	source
Hunting Island State Park Hunting Island (Near Beaufort), Lowcountry	Park hours 6 a.m.-6 p.m. daily (extended to 9 p.m. during Daylight Saving Time). Parking not described on the page read.	$8/adult; $5/SC seniors; $4/child age 6-15; Free for children 5 and younger.	Pets not allowed in the cabin area, on the pier or inside the lighthouse complex. Not permitted on the tip of North Beach past posted markers (shorebird habitat). Allowed in most other outdoor areas on a leash no longer than six feet. No dates or hours listed.	"There is no designated swimming area and no lifeguards are on duty." Swimming at your own risk.	source
Coligny Beach Park, Hilton Head Island Hilton Head Island, Lowcountry	Town page lists Coligny Beach Park with free parking and seasonal lifeguards. Beach parks open daily 6 am-10 pm. Peak beach season March 1-September 7: visitors pay at all town beach parks except Coligny.		Town table: Oct-March any time, leashed or voice control; April-Thursday before Memorial Day 10am-5pm leashed, 5pm-10am leashed or voice control; Friday before Memorial Day-Labor Day 10am-5pm not allowed on beach, 5pm-10am leashed or voice control; Tuesday after Labor Day-Sept 10am-5pm leashed, 5pm-10am leashed or voice control.	Official beach season April 1-September 30; lifeguards stationed at designated swim areas (includes Coligny) in season.	source
Hilton Head Island town beach parks (Driessen, Folly Field, Islanders, Alder Lane, Burkes, Fish Haul) Hilton Head Island, Lowcountry	Six permit-parking sites. Town page (peak season March 1-Sept 7): visitors pay $3 per hour Monday-Friday and $5 per hour Saturday-Sunday, enforced daily 7 am-5 pm; residents with a beach parking permit park free; pay by phone app, cash no longer accepted. Fines $50-$500. Alder Lane, Burkes, Driessen, Folly Field and Islanders have seasonal lifeguards; Fish Haul has none.		Same town table as Coligny (see above): no dogs on the beach 10 am-5 pm from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day. New restricted dog area of about two football fields near Fish Haul Creek (about 600 feet from the Fish Haul access), signed.	Seasonal (beach season April 1-September 30) at designated swim areas: Alder Lane, Coligny, Driessen, Folly Field, Islanders.	source

Islands Without Drive-Up Public Beach Access

Island	What the official page says	Source
Seabrook Island	Official town beach-rules page has no public access or parking statement; it says walking on the primary frontal dune is prohibited except at designated SIPOA or private access points. No public lot found. Visitors seeking a public beach nearby: Kiawah Beachwalker Park (county).	source
Fripp Island	Resort page describes Fripp as primarily a private vacation resort with a small year-round community and says beach accesses are being rebuilt, with open accesses listed at frippislandliving.com. The page read does not describe the gate or who may enter. Visitors without a stay or owner invitation should use Hunting Island State Park, next door.	source
Daufuskie Island	Ferry only. Beaufort County announcement (January 2024): Lowcountry Ferry runs under county contract from CC Haigh, Jr. Boat Landing, 2 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island (temporary site) to Daufuskie at 7:00, 10:00 a.m., 1:00, 4:00 p.m.; returns from Melrose Landing 8:30, 11:30 a.m., 2:30, 5:30 p.m. Fares not stated.	source

Beach Town Guides

What We Could Not Confirm

Not confirmed: we looked for these on official pages and did not find them. Check with the town or operator before you rely on them.

North Myrtle Beach (city beach, incl. Cherry Grove, Ocean Drive, Crescent Beach, Windy Hill): Parking fee amounts, season and hours: the pages read (nmb.us/339 and nmb.us/543) do not list them; they point to the Park North Myrtle Beach map/app.
Myrtle Beach (city beach, oceanfront and Boardwalk): Restrooms: not listed on the beach-conditions page.
Myrtle Beach State Park: Restrooms and alcohol rule: not on the two park pages read.
Surfside Beach (town beach): Alcohol rule not stated on the beaches page read (a search excerpt of town sources says alcohol is prohibited on the beach; not read on the page itself).
Surfside Beach (town beach): Lifeguard season dates.
Garden City Beach (unincorporated Horry County): Paid lot rates not published on pages read.
Pawleys Island (town beach): Alcohol and restroom rules: town page says call 843-237-1698; not stated on pages.
Litchfield Beach (unincorporated Georgetown County accesses): Parking fees, lifeguards, restrooms for Litchfield accesses.
Huntington Beach State Park: Restrooms/alcohol not on pages read.
Isle of Palms (city beach): Parking rates (parkiop.org not read).
Isle of Palms County Park: Fee schedule and lifeguard hours come from a search-engine excerpt of ccprc.com; the park page text did not load through the fetch tool. Confirm on the page.
Sullivan's Island (town beach): Restroom availability; dog license fee.
Folly Beach (city beach): Meter and lot rates; follybeach.com is a visitor site, not the city, so its pier facts are secondary.
Folly Beach County Park (west end): Fee and lifeguard schedule come.com; park page body did not load through fetch. (not confirmed on the official page)
Folly Beach County Park (west end): The county park page we read for this row is no longer online (checked October 26, 2026); its parking and lifeguard details are not confirmed.
Kiawah Beachwalker Park: Fees and lifeguard dates are; the 'only public access' line is my reading of the CCPRC listing and not a quoted official statement. (not confirmed on the official page)
Edisto Beach (town beach): Alcohol rule and restrooms not on pages read; Access 3 and others may be closed by erosion (state park note).
Hunting Island State Park: Parking details and alcohol rule not on pages read.
Coligny Beach Park, Hilton Head Island: Restrooms not listed on pages read.
Hilton Head Island town beach parks (Driessen, Folly Field, Islanders, Alder Lane, Burkes, Fish Haul): Restrooms per park not on pages read.

FAQ

Which South Carolina beaches have free parking?

Garden City Beach (unincorporated Horry County), Pawleys Island (town beach), Coligny Beach Park, Hilton Head Island.

Which South Carolina beaches allow dogs?

Almost all of them, with limits: most keep dogs off the sand in the middle of the day from May through Labor Day or September, and many require a leash. Read the exact hours for your beach in the table before you go.

Which beaches are state parks?

Myrtle Beach State Park, Huntington Beach State Park, Edisto Beach State Park, Hunting Island State Park; each charges park admission, listed in the table.

Sources

Read on October 26, 2026. How we check: editorial standards; spot a mistake? Tell us.

Cite this page: It's South Carolina, “South Carolina Beaches and Islands”, itssouthcarolina.com/destinations/beaches-and-islands/ (updated 2026-10-26). By the It's South Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.