Help with a trip - Myrtle to Wilmington

If you like quiet, in the Myrtle Beach area is Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet. Beautiful C/G and the beach is just across dunes. About 20 miles south of Myrtle but way less crowded and busy. Brook Green Gardens is just across US17 and very interesting.

We live on top of a mountian currently on several acres surrounded by hundreds of acres of national forest. I see more Bears than people. We like quiet. Sounds perfect right? It's just that the altitude and winters have become more than we care to deal with any more. Brutally cold and a lot of work especially with snow removal and frankly just downright depressing 5 months of the year during winter. I am convinced it has started to have adverse affects on our health. We always feel elated when we head to the shore several times a year - even in winter - and the thought of making it permanent makes sense. Understanding it's not all fun and roses but I am no stranger to dealing with geography and it's challnges. I just feel a different set of challenges is in order. We long for the beach. I did check out Topsail Beach and it has made #1 on my list so far. Housing prices are pretty reasonable and it seems to be more of what we are looking for. Schools are rated 9/10. Definitely making that our first stop.

Former Wilmingtonian here, lived there off and on for 25 years. If you go to Wilmington, NC, there are very few campgrounds, and only one I would recommend. The Wilmington KOA is on Market St. (US 17) north of Wilmington. Beware of the others. We accidentally stayed one time at a campground on Carolina Beach Road (US 421), it was horrible. No amenities, and the water looked and smelled like it came out of the gray water tank. The place was badly rundown, and would make a great location for a Steven King movie. There's at least one place in Carolina Beach, but it is hardly worth mentioning. If you're into boondocking, Carolina Beach State Park has primitive RV sites, they are cheap.
There's a KOA further south, off of US 17 near Sunset Beach, we've never stayed there but I hear it is good. Myrtle Beach has a lot of good RV parks/resorts. Both Wilmington and Myrtle Beach have heavy traffic, in case you didn't know, but depending on where you live, it may be light traffic to you!
Oh, and you may want to check out Topsail Beach, just a little north of Wilmington. There are several campgrounds in/near there, many of them are decent as far as I know.

Yes, US-17 North, when approaching Wilmington, stop by and visit the USS BB55 North Carolina Battle Ship, you will enoy it.

in Myrtle Beach, Ocean Lakes is the best!!! Have stayed there for 4 or 5 years...

bullydogs1 wrote:
Right by me....Call The Refuge at Manteo..Hopefully there will be a spot for you, it is just south of Nags Head and easy highway access about 15 miles south of Southern Shores....nice quiet and peaceful, although some of the sites on the left hand jug of the place are a bit unlevel, nothing you can't live with..also Kitty Hawk RV Park, they have 50 amp service and are between the beach and what they call the bypass...but it is family oriented and there will be lots of activity this time of year. PM me if you need more....there is also Camp Hatteras which is about 20 miles southeast of Nags Head in Waves or KOA which is right next door. The Refuge at Manteo would be perfect for you...By the way, what you are doing is what we did in 2008 to literally build our stick and brick that I am typing this in...pretty funny if you ask me.we used the Refuge at Manteo until this was done...Please PM me if you need more info.

Thanks, sent you a PM

Right by me....Call The Refuge at Manteo..Hopefully there will be a spot for you, it is just south of Nags Head and easy highway access about 15 miles south of Southern Shores....nice quiet and peaceful, although some of the sites on the left hand jug of the place are a bit unlevel, nothing you can't live with..also Kitty Hawk RV Park, they have 50 amp service and are between the beach and what they call the bypass...but it is family oriented and there will be lots of activity this time of year. PM me if you need more....there is also Camp Hatteras which is about 20 miles southeast of Nags Head in Waves or KOA which is right next door. The Refuge at Manteo would be perfect for you...By the way, what you are doing is what we did in 2008 to literally build our stick and brick that I am typing this in...pretty funny if you ask me.we used the Refuge at Manteo until this was done...Please PM me if you need more info.

bullydogs1 wrote:
For Myrtle Beach area, Ocean Lakes (south MB), or Willow Tree RV Resort, which is Longs SC just outside of MB...if you were coming to the Outer Banks or NC (you had Southern Shores which is a town on the Outer Banks), let me know..some decent places to set up while you look...Wilmington SC is about 90 minutes from MB the way I see it.

Thanks, we did have southern shores on the list so yes any info is helpful.

The plan is to actually stop at several places. I should have been more clear. A few days in Myrtle, a few days in Wilmington and sort of move up the coast. Hope that makes sense.

For Myrtle Beach area, Ocean Lakes (south MB), or Willow Tree RV Resort, which is Longs SC just outside of MB...if you were coming to the Outer Banks or NC (you had Southern Shores which is a town on the Outer Banks), let me know..some decent places to set up while you look...Wilmington SC is about 90 minutes from MB the way I see it.