Myrtle? Hatteras? or both?

[kfp673]

Hello All,

In mid-August we have a week vacation and still have yet to pick a destination. We live in eastern PA but will be in Gettysburg when we leave. We will be leaving on a Sunday and need to be home by the following Sunday. We have never been to the Outer Banks or SC beaches and we are considering a beach trip this year (last year did lake george NY. Awesome by the way!). Tough for us to decide this since we really love the mountains, but we figured we would change it up this year. We have the 2 of us, two 7 year old twin daughters, and 2 dogs. Any thoughts on choosing one over the other? or should we drive to SC for a few days and then Hatteras for the rest? I read great reviews on the KOA in Hatteras. Or should we skip them all and just head to Fort Wilderness 😉 We have a 33' travel trailer and we would prefer to only move once if possible.

Let me know your thoughts and recommendations, and feel free to make any other recommendations as well. Thanks!

[kfp673]

Mcamper wrote:
Where you go depends on what type of vacation you want. If you would like to visit the ocean and the activities surrounding the ocean and beach is the main activity, Hatteras Island NC is your best bet. Hatteras has an island feel to it that cannot be copied in Myrtle Beach. If you want activities for daughters stay at Hatteras KOA. Hatteras will be the less crowded, less busy, less commercial, more isolated and can offer more of a vacation feel to it. It would be a good choice.

If you want the ocean n beach and plenty of restaurants, shows, and attractions then the Myrtle Beach area is your best bet. The campgrounds will have more activities, especially for kids. There are more stores, outlets, grocery stores, amusement parks, all types of food, movie and live theaters. There are also more people, noise, commercialism and traffic. That is the tradeoff for more things to do. Note that the campgrounds in Myrtle Beach are quieter than the surrounding areas. It would be a good choice also.

Even though dogs are not allowed on the beach in Myrtle Beach except before 10 am and after 5 pm, the Myrtle Beach area is very pet friendly. The city has spent money on accommodating guest with man’s best friend. To say the Myrtle Beach area is not as pet friendly as Hatteras is not accurate.

As far as the crowds are concerned if you are going in mid-August the number of people will have thinned out in both areas. You should be able to get reservations at Hatteras NC or Myrtle Beach during that time especially during the week.

People rant n rave over the golf carts and tents in Myrtle Beach, but if you do not like carts stay at a campground in Myrtle Beach that restricts the use. The tent issue is for safety. They clearly prevent lifeguards from being able to see and they delay emergency response vehicles. The tents are not necessary and are something that has become predominant in the past ten years. Most people can fit two adults and gear under a 7.5 foot diameter umbrella! Eventually they will be banned on more of the North Carolina beaches as well due to the width of the beach in areas like Kill Devil Hill NC, and certain areas on Hatteras NC. Besides the safety issue, they are unsightly on any beach.

Either area will be great, and you will have a fun time. I agree with the others that suggest one or the other instead of both in order to help you spend more time having fun and less on the road. I live in NC, and would like to extend a welcome to you if you decide to come to Hatteras. I did, however, want to offer a more objective view of the two places you mentioned. Let us know what you decide.

Great info! Thanks for taking the time to respond!

[Mcamper]

Where you go depends on what type of vacation you want. If you would like to visit the ocean and the activities surrounding the ocean and beach is the main activity, Hatteras Island NC is your best bet. Hatteras has an island feel to it that cannot be copied in Myrtle Beach. If you want activities for daughters stay at Hatteras KOA. Hatteras will be the less crowded, less busy, less commercial, more isolated and can offer more of a vacation feel to it. It would be a good choice.

If you want the ocean n beach and plenty of restaurants, shows, and attractions then the Myrtle Beach area is your best bet. The campgrounds will have more activities, especially for kids. There are more stores, outlets, grocery stores, amusement parks, all types of food, movie and live theaters. There are also more people, noise, commercialism and traffic. That is the tradeoff for more things to do. Note that the campgrounds in Myrtle Beach are quieter than the surrounding areas. It would be a good choice also.

Even though dogs are not allowed on the beach in Myrtle Beach except before 10 am and after 5 pm, the Myrtle Beach area is very pet friendly. The city has spent money on accommodating guest with man’s best friend. To say the Myrtle Beach area is not as pet friendly as Hatteras is not accurate.

As far as the crowds are concerned if you are going in mid-August the number of people will have thinned out in both areas. You should be able to get reservations at Hatteras NC or Myrtle Beach during that time especially during the week.

People rant n rave over the golf carts and tents in Myrtle Beach, but if you do not like carts stay at a campground in Myrtle Beach that restricts the use. The tent issue is for safety. They clearly prevent lifeguards from being able to see and they delay emergency response vehicles. The tents are not necessary and are something that has become predominant in the past ten years. Most people can fit two adults and gear under a 7.5 foot diameter umbrella! Eventually they will be banned on more of the North Carolina beaches as well due to the width of the beach in areas like Kill Devil Hill NC, and certain areas on Hatteras NC. Besides the safety issue, they are unsightly on any beach.

Either area will be great, and you will have a fun time. I agree with the others that suggest one or the other instead of both in order to help you spend more time having fun and less on the road. I live in NC, and would like to extend a welcome to you if you decide to come to Hatteras. I did, however, want to offer a more objective view of the two places you mentioned. Let us know what you decide.

[RGar974417]

Both are nice.We like Huntington Beach State park south of Myrtle Beach.Most say you can't get a site but if you don't go on the weekend,you may be able to snag a site say Sunday to Thursday. Or at Cape Hatteras only one of the National Park campgrounds takes reservations so you could probably get a site at one of them.Again,easier going in on a Sunday. Of course no hookups but most allow generators during certain hours.We like Frisco because there are some secluded sites with shade.

[Norskeman]

Shot-N-Az wrote:
If you don't need crowds, go to Hatteras. Much, much, much more laid back. Camp Hatteras and the KOA at Rodanthe can likely fit you in with little problem.

X2.

We were at the OBX in May - Camp Hatteras. We saw a whale at the Rodanthe pier.

[kfp673]

Thanks all! I appreciate the feedback. There is still openings at the KOA.

Regarding NJ- We have a house in the family in OCNJ and spend a few weeks per year there so looking for something different. It is fun but looking for a different experience.

Sounds like OBX makes most sense if we go that route. Thanks again all!

[Shot-N-Az]

If you don't need crowds, go to Hatteras. Much, much, much more laid back. Camp Hatteras and the KOA at Rodanthe can likely fit you in with little problem.

[fitznj]

You essentially have 6 days vacation and 2 of those days you will be driving.
It's quite a drive from Gettysburg to either location.

Can I suggest the beaches in South Jersey (Ocean City, North Wildwood...)

I've been to Myrtle Beach and OuterBanks both are beautifull but you'll be wasting 2 days just driving there.

From Gettysburg to South Jersey is 5 or 6 hours max - leave at 6AM and you'll be on the beach by lunchtime

Just a thought !!!

Gerry

[Oaklevel]

From Myrtle Beaches Web Site:

"First of all, safety, making sure you can get through a wall of tents to get to the beach in the event of an emergency, making sure emergency responders can get there," said city spokesman Mark Kruea. "The fact that they take up a lot of real estate, more people could enjoy the beach with fewer tents out there. And then over the last five years, we've essentially added two million extra visitors, so there are more people trying to use the beach."

Horry County

**UPDATE APRIL 17, 2014***
Horry County - Ordinance 19-14

Council finds that the placement of tents on the beach have a detrimental effect upon the safety and welfare of users of the beach, by creating obstructions to the view of lifeguards, impediments to public safety access and response in situations of emergency, and obstacles to other beachgoers especially in areas of high use and limited beach area.

[Oaklevel]

jplante4 wrote:
We liked Hatteras in May. We stayed at the KOA and were happy. Myrtle and Hatteras may be a stretch in a week.

First time hearing about this ez-up tent ban. What's the reasoning behind this?

As above Myrtle Beach / Horry County Beach areas now only allow umbrellas up to 7' round & behind the life guards. Too many people abused the EZups & the life guards were having trouble seeing the ocean to do their job. Also so many used the EZups that there were many complaints. A few ruined it they would set up their 2 or 3 EZup at 7AM & come to the beach at noon using up the limited space.

[jplante4]

We liked Hatteras in May. We stayed at the KOA and were happy. Myrtle and Hatteras may be a stretch in a week.

First time hearing about this ez-up tent ban. What's the reasoning behind this?

[wildtoad]

I have not heard of the ezup restriction being applied to places like Huntington Beach State Park but you could call. The big problem is finding a spot this late. Been a long time since I've been to Hatteras but it was good then. Far less distance to travel since you only have a week.

[Oaklevel]

Also keep in mind dogs can not go on most of the beaches in the general Wilmington NC areas Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Oak Island etc. at all until after Oct 1.through I believe it is March. In general campgrounds in the area are smaller (Sites as well)

As above Myrtle Beach / Horry County Beach areas now only allow umbrellas up to 7' round & behind the life guards. Too many people abused the EZups & the life guards were having trouble seeing the ocean to do their job.

[Campinghoss]

We have been to both MB and Hatteras. MB is off of our destinations due to the fact they now have a ban on EZup tents which we need for ourselves and for the dogs. We did not go during the summer after the first couple of trips due to crowds, golf carts and just plain too crowded on the beach. I am not a old grouch and understand folks go when they can but we can pick and choose. Plus you only have certain times your dogs can go on the beach until after Labor Day.
Hatteras on the other hand is dog friendly, ez up friendly and not nearly as crowded on the beach as MB. The KOA is fairly expensive along with Camp Hatteras but it does have a lot for the kids to do. We prefer Ocean Waves cg as it is much smaller, reasonably priced and quieter.
It all depends on what you are looking for and want. I would not bash MB nor any other place-----it is really a matter of preference.

If you think about going to Ocean Waves my advice to you would be call today, right now, and see if they have any openings. They stay booked most the time. We make our reservations nearly a year in advance.

Have fun where ever you go.

[Oaklevel]

If you are talking about this year most of the Myrtle Beach campgrounds are already booked through Labor Day........ Many also have a 4 day minimum stay in the Summer months. May be the same in NC call ahead.

Good Luck