North Myrtle Beach, SC Travel Guide: Parking and Events

Destinations › Grand Strand › North Myrtle Beach

North Myrtle Beach is in Horry County, in South Carolina's Grand Strand, with about 20,798 residents (2024 Census estimate). In May 1968 Ocean Drive, Cherry Grove, Crescent Beach and Windy Hill joined together to form the City of North Myrtle Beach.

Population20,798Census estimate, July 2024
CountyHorry CountyGrand Strand region
Our Guides Nearby7parks, attractions, venues within 25 mi
Things to Do11 pickshours, costs, kids, dogs

Plan It in Three Lines

Things to Do
11 picks with hours, costs and kid, dog and rain notes.
Open the list
Where to Park
City beach accesses and beachfront lots (paid): $4.00 per hour except the Seaview Lot, $2.00 per hour
All parking below
What's On
Dated events in and around North Myrtle Beach, checked on organizer pages.
Events page

Things to Do in North Myrtle Beach North Myrtle Beach Events

About North Myrtle Beach

In May 1968 Ocean Drive, Cherry Grove, Crescent Beach and Windy Hill joined together to form the City of North Myrtle Beach. source
The destination site says North Myrtle Beach has nine miles of beaches and describes five beach areas: Cherry Grove, Ocean Drive, Crescent Beach, Windy Hill and Atlantic Beach (Atlantic Beach is described as an independent community). source
The Carolina Shag is listed on the city's destination site as originating in the African American community in the late 1930s; by the 1940s spring breakers were dancing on Ocean Drive, and the site says the city markets itself as the birthplace of the Shag, the official South Carolina State Dance. source
Barefoot Landing opened in 1988 and the St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival debuted in 1990, per the destination site's history page. source

Areas Visitors Use

Cherry Grove The northernmost beach area, with a long pier, an observation deck, a fishing shop and watersports. source
Ocean Drive Home of the Carolina Shag scene, the OD Pavilion with an open-air dance floor, and Main Street shops, restaurants and clubs. source
Crescent Beach A quieter stretch between Ocean Drive and Windy Hill, listed as suited to boogie boarding, frisbee and watersports. source
Windy Hill A quieter southern stretch with many lodging options near the sand; Barefoot Landing and its live shows and family attractions are described as nearby. source
Atlantic Beach An independent community within the area, called The Black Pearl on the destination site, with a quiet shoreline and surf and paddleboard rentals. source

Getting There and Around

Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) is about 30 minutes from North Myrtle Beach, with nine airline carriers and over 50 nonstop destinations (per the destination site). Wilmington International (ILM) is a little over an hour away. source
Highway 17 is where most area attractions are located; Carolina Bays Parkway (Highway 31) lets drivers avoid stoplights and connects Murrells Inlet to Little River. The site gives I-95 and I-74 as about 90 minutes away. source
Coast RTA bus line serves North Myrtle Beach. source
Coast RTA public bus serves North Myrtle Beach (coastrta.com). The transportation page does not mention a trolley or shuttle. source
The destination site has a page on golf cart rentals under Getting Around. source
The city has a Golf Cart Laws page. source

Visitor center: Visitor Information Center (Destination North Myrtle Beach / Chamber). 1521 Hwy 17, North Myrtle Beach; Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm; (843) 281-2662 source

Parking in North Myrtle Beach

Where	Rate	When	Notes	Source
City beach accesses and beachfront lots (paid)	$4.00 per hour except the Seaview Lot, $2.00 per hour	Enforced every day 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, March 1 through October 31	No parking from midnight to 5:00 AM (overnight parking not permitted). Pay with Passport Parking app (zone number on signage, or m.ppprk.com) or Text 2 Park (text the location code starting with NMB to 25023).	source
Free periods	Free	Parking at public beach accesses is free November through February, and before 9:00 AM and after 5:00 PM every day	The destination site also lists a year-round free lot on the north side of Main Street, just east of Hillside Drive. The destination site says the city has over 50 public beach-access parking locations.	source
Handicap placard or sticker	Free		City FAQ: you can park in any city-owned lot free with a handicap sticker or placard; privately owned lots are not included.	source

Beaches in North Myrtle Beach

Beach	Access and parking	Dogs	Lifeguards	Source
North Myrtle Beach city beaches (Cherry Grove to Windy Hill)	Designated public accesses; no parking beyond the posted public beach access rule sign. Paid parking March 1 – October 31, 9 AM – 5 PM, $4/hour (Seaview Lot $2/hour). Free parking November-February. Nine miles of beach.	City Beach Ordinances page: From May 15 through Labor Day, no dogs allowed on the beach 10 AM – 4 PM. Leash law in effect at all times; maximum leash length 7 feet; pick up pet waste. (The destination site and an older city news item say 9 AM – 5 PM; the city ordinance page is used here.) Dogs not allowed on Cherry Grove Pier per an unofficial summary of (not confirmed on the official page).	Beach Patrol hires about 100-120 lifeguards for the city's 9 miles of beachfront; a city FAQ (older) says the season runs May to September; daily tower hours not published on pages read. Beach Patrol phone 843-281-3820.	source
Other beach rules	Alcohol, glass and fireworks prohibited. May 15 through Labor Day tents, cabanas and pavilions banned; umbrellas with center pole no taller than 7 ft 6 in and circular shade no wider than 9 ft allowed. Bikes (including e-bikes) banned on the beach May 15 to Labor Day, 10 AM – 4 PM. No fires or open flame (includes propane grills). Swimming beyond 50 yards or shoulder height not allowed. Fill holes before leaving. Littering fines up to $1,000.			source

Comparing beaches? See which South Carolina beach to pick.

Dogs

No person who owns or controls a dog may allow it to run at large within the city (city page as summarized in search; leash law at all times, 7-foot maximum). source
The city dog park at 150 Citizens Circle is open 6:30 am to 8 pm with separate small-dog (under 25 lb) and large-dog areas; rabies vaccination proof required. source
The destination site's dog guide lists Taco Mundo Kitchen y Cantina, Crooked Hammock Brewery, LandShark Bar and Grill at Barefoot Landing, Molly Darcy's, Local On the Water, Snooky's Oceanfront, LuLu's North Myrtle Beach and Mission BBQ as dog-friendly dining but says to confirm each place's policy. source

When to Go

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30; the peak is September 10, with most activity between mid-August and mid-October. source
From May through October, the destination site asks visitors to turn off beachfront lights at dusk and close blinds and curtains to protect sea turtles. source
Paid beach parking runs March 1 through October 31 (9 AM – 5 PM); beach dog and bike limits run May 15 through Labor Day. source
The city's chair and umbrella rental season for 2026 has closed (city Beach Services page, read 2026-10-26). source

Food

The destination site names Hoskins Restaurant on Main Street as serving Southern classics since 1948. source

Coming Up in and Near North Myrtle Beach

Nov 2 – Dec 31The Carolina Opry Christmas SpecialMyrtle Beach · about 13 mi
Nov 7Flavors of Fall (North Myrtle Beach)North Myrtle Beach · about 1 mi
Nov 11Veteran's Day Program at the Veterans Memorial at the MeadowNorth Myrtle Beach · about 1 mi
Nov 12–15Dickens Christmas Show and Festivals (Myrtle Beach)Myrtle Beach · about 13 mi
Nov 14Tree Lighting Fireworks Extravaganza at Broadway at the BeachMyrtle Beach · about 13 mi
Nov 20–21Dashing Through The Glow (2-mile family walk/run)North Myrtle Beach · about 1 mi

21 more on the full events calendar.

Events within 15 miles, measured in a straight line to the centre of the event's town. Dates come from our checked events list; confirm with the organizer.

Near North Myrtle Beach

Around North Myrtle Beach within 25 miles

1Alabama Theatretheatreabout 3 mi
2Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beachaquariumabout 12 mi
3Myrtle Beach Convention Centerconvention centerabout 13 mi
4Pelicans Ballparkballparkabout 13 mi
5Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenadeoceanfront boardwalkabout 14 mi
6Myrtle Beach State ParkState Parkabout 18 mi
7Brooks Stadiumstadiumabout 18 mi

Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.

Nearby Towns With Their Own Guide

FAQ

What are the dog rules on the North Myrtle Beach beach?

Per the city's Beach Ordinances page, no dogs are allowed on the beach 10 AM to 4 PM from May 15 through Labor Day; leash law is in effect at all times with a 7-foot maximum. source

How much is parking at North Myrtle Beach beach accesses?

$4.00 per hour (Seaview Lot $2.00), enforced 9 AM to 5 PM daily March 1 through October 31. Free outside those hours and November through February at public beach accesses. source

Can I park overnight?

No. The city says there is no parking from midnight to 5:00 AM. source

Where can my dog run off leash?

At the dog park at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex, 150 Citizens Circle, open 6:30 am to 8 pm, with separate areas for small and large dogs. source

Are tents allowed on the beach in summer?

From May 15 through Labor Day, tents and cabanas are banned; single-pole umbrellas with circular shade up to 9 feet are allowed. source

Is there a free place to see local history?

The North Myrtle Beach Area Historical Museum is listed as free (donations appreciated), Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. source

How many people live in North Myrtle Beach?

About 20,798, the U.S. Census Bureau’s estimate for July 1, 2024 (Census table).

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.

Dog hours conflict: city Beach Ordinances page = 10 AM-4 PM May 15-Labor Day; destination site and an older city news item = 9 AM-5 PM. Used the city ordinance page. Re-check before publishing.
Parking rate: the city's FAQ page is dated (an unofficial summary said about 600 days old), but the 'How to Pay for Parking' page (read today) shows $4/hour and Seaview $2 (not confirmed on the official page).
Lifeguard daily hours and exact season dates not published on pages read; city says season May-September in an older FAQ (not read).
Cherry Grove Pier: fishing fees, length and dog rule not confirmed on the operator page; pier dog ban is text of the destination site. (not confirmed on the official page)
Alligator Adventure, Barefoot Landing: hours and admission prices not found (operator page lacks them; barefootlanding.com refused connection).
North Myrtle Beach historical museum street address not on the page read (page lists the Visitor Information Center address only).
Incorporation year: sources state the May 1968 merger; no separate incorporation date found.
Atlantic Beach is a separate town; its own rules/parking not covered here.

Sources

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

Cite this page: It's South Carolina, “North Myrtle Beach, SC Travel Guide”, itssouthcarolina.com/destinations/grand-strand/north-myrtle-beach/ (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.

North Myrtle Beach, SC Travel Guide

Things to Do

Where to Park

What's On