Woodsy Cabins Offer Cozy Comfort in Maritime Forest
By Lenore McKenzie-Morris
Deep in the woods of Myrtle Beach State Park, you'll find soft, bulbous cones the length of your hand on the forest floor.
Unless you've had a magnolia tree in your yard, you probably wouldn't recognize these cones. And the tree canopy in this maritime forest is so far overhead, few visitors realize they're walking through a stand of magnolia trees.
"It's rare to find," said Jerry Ives, park manager. "Magnolias don't typically grow in maritime forests but this certainly is a very healthy stand of magnolias."
The park's 136-acre maritime forest is one of 50 S.C. Heritage Trust sites.
"It's the only publicly accessible maritime forest in Horry County," said Amanda Jenkins, assistant park manager.
While there's public parking at the trailhead for the forest's short trails, there are a few places in the park that are marked private. One is the short stretch of quiet road that provides access to the park's rental cabins.
One visit to this quiet location and it's easy to see why visitors return annually. Large live oak trees shade the cabins, each of which has a screened front porch and a view of the sea-spray sculpted woods leaning away from the ocean. The path leading to the beach opens up the ocean vista.
The park's five cabins and two apartments located in the campground can be reserved 11 months in advance.
"They were all built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) back in the 1930s, except cabin two, which was rebuilt recently," Jenkins said.
The CCC, which was part of the government's recovery efforts during the Great Depression, celebrated its 75th anniversary this year. Like most CCC cabins located in state parks throughout the East Coast, the cabins at Myrtle Beach State Park feature knotty pine paneling. These cabins are a little brighter than most since the kitchen areas are painted out in white. And all the cabins at Myrtle Beach State Park reflect the Coastal Carolina architecture with Lowcountry roof lines and front porches.
Cabin two is handicap accessible with a ramp to the screened porch and a larger main bathroom. There's a second bathroom in this unit. Each of the cabin's three bedrooms has a double bed. The main living area includes a table for six, sofas, cable TV and a complete kitchen.
Floor plans, photos and a full list of amenities for each cabin and apartment are available online at http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/park-finder/state-park/795/whatsnew.aspx.
The site links to cabin, campsite and shelter reservations. In addition, you can find maps, a scavenger hunt and a schedule of naturalist programs. Visit "About This Park" at http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/park-finder/state-park/795.aspx.
In contrast, the maritime grasslands separating the beach from the wooden walkways are open vistas. Careful scrutiny will reward you with glimpses of butterflies and wildflowers.
Park naturalists schedule programs throughout the year to educate visitors on the wildlife in the woods, grasslands and ocean.
Ann Malys Wilson is widely regarded by locals as the top expert in Coastal Carolina nature. She can be depended on to help you identify the bottlenose dolphins often seen offshore and help you understand the nuances of loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings.
Activities at the park are winding down after a very busy summer. The campground is seeing fewer visitors during the week and it's easier to get a campsite or rent a cabin now. Beginning in October, cabins, which must be booked through September for a full week, become available for two night or longer stays.
The cabins are already booked for May, June and July of 2010.
"A lot of people come year after year," Jenkins said. "They'll make a reservation for the next year as soon as they can."
The park charges admission per person, unless you buy a state park pass. Admission is $4 for adults; $2.50 for S.C. seniors; $1.50 for children ages six to 15; and free for children 5 and younger. State park passes, which are good for a year throughout the state, can be purchased for $50. Horry County residents can purchase them at the library for $40.
For more information on Myrtle Beach State Park call 843-238-5325.
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