My South Carolina Interlude: A Van Life Pit Stop on the Way to North Carolina’s Mountain Biking Mecca
When I first rolled into South Carolina, I had grand visions of basking on sun-drenched beaches and soaking up the charm of its historic cities. My heart, still heavy from leaving the incredible Georgia mountains, was ready for a change of pace. I’d planned a brief detour to North Carolina for some mountain biking, but mostly, it was going to be sweet tea and coastal breezes.
Van Life Pass Through of South Carolina
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The Story on Why I Shortchanged South Carolina.
Initially, I fully intended to devote a significant amount of time to fully exploring all the wonderful things South Carolina has to offer before I returned to the trails… Every good intention….
But as I started to “delve” into the beauty of these states (and by “delve,” I mean barely touched the surface of South Carolina’s non-mountainous offerings), the siren song of epic singletrack grew too loud to ignore. After my mind-blowing mountain biking experience in Georgia (which you can read all about Here), I was so utterly stoked to get back on the trails that South Carolina’s beaches became, well, a very scenic parking lot on the way to the real adventure.
My South Carolina van life experience was, to put it mildly, significantly influenced by my almost insatiable desire to hit the dirt. So, consider this less a comprehensive guide to South Carolina, and more a dispatch from a bike-obsessed traveler en route to mountain biking paradise. If I could quantify my time in the Carolinas, it would be: Southern hospitality meets historic cities meets beaches (briefly!) meets mountains (for a glorious, extended period). Like Georgia, it’s a one-stop shop for awesomeness – just with a very strong gravitational pull towards North Carolina’s peaks for yours truly.
Because I literally couldn’t wait to get back in the saddle, South Carolina transformed from a destination into a highly convenient, and admittedly beautiful, quick stop. However, if you’re looking for stunning beaches and charming towns to explore at a more leisurely pace, South Carolina absolutely delivers.
Starting at "Dirty Myrtle"? Not So Fast!
My journey began in Myrtle Beach. Parts of South Carolina sometimes get a bad rap, and honestly, I don’t think that’s entirely fair. Even some locals referred to Myrtle Beach as “Dirty Myrtle,” and I was frequently advised to avoid certain areas. My take? Not fair at all! Every place has its quirks, and I found plenty to enjoy. I will admit there are parts of town that ap[pear to have seen better days. But the overall feel is a bit of a bygone era (more on that below) which I absolutely enjoyed.
So, here’s my very basic itinerary for a taste of the South Carolina coast:
Myrtle Beach: A 5-Day Coastal Recharge.
I dedicated five days to exploring Myrtle Beach. My base was Myrtle Beach State Park, which offers a relatively cheap and convenient stay, especially when you consider the next-door KOA campground charges an arm and a leg! (Seriously, check those KOA prices – they can make a van lifer’s eyes water.
Upon arrival, my e-bike became my primary mode of transportation, and I was genuinely impressed by how far I could cruise. Myrtle Beach State Park itself boasts fantastic beach access and surprisingly, some excellent airplane spotting opportunities. If it has one “downside” (and I use that term loosely, because it was quite entertaining), it’s being located near both a commercial and a military airport. This made for some truly interesting aerial shows, and I thoroughly enjoyed sending videos to my Navy friends, asking them to identify the roaring jets. “Honey, did you hear that? I think that was the sound of my peace and quiet being disrupted by freedom!”
Aside from the occasional, glorious roar of a jet engine, the beach itself is quite pleasant. The campground is conveniently located close enough that you can easily walk from your campsite to the sand, even with minimal gear. Bonus for dog owners: dogs are allowed on the beach before 10 AM and after 5 PM, which I felt struck a great balance between pet lovers and those who prefer a less canine-populated shoreline.
Cruising into Town.
I safely rode my e-bike into town, navigating largely oversized, empty sidewalks and then cruising down S. Beach Dr., which has a chill 25 mph speed limit and surprisingly few cars.
I actually found the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk to be rather lovely. I enjoyed strolling along, taking in the various shops and soaking up the unique culture. It truly felt like stepping back in time – maybe to the 60s, with actual arcades! The combination of ice cream parlors, bars, restaurants, tourist shops, and other novelties created a fun, nostalgic environment, a throwback to an America that used to be.
While I can’t say I found any specific food establishment I’d highly recommend for a full meal, I did stumble upon an amazing ice cream shop: The Dolly Llama. They serve a style of ice cream I first encountered in Hong Kong, nestled in a delicious bubble waffle cone. I highly, highly recommend it! (See pictures for proof of this heavenly creation – you definitely need to make a stop by The Dolly Llama; you won’t regret your decision!)
Beyond food and drink, Myrtle Beach offers every tourist attraction imaginable, from putt-putt mini-golf to any beach activity you could desire. The main boardwalk itself isn’t overwhelmingly busy, making it genuinely enjoyable.
Some Favorite Myrtle Beach Photos!
Beginning the Mountain Biking Journey (The Real Reason I Came!)
fter over a week off the trails, I was practically vibrating with impatience to get back on my bike. I won’t delve into the specifics of my mountain biking adventures in this article, as that glorious saga is reserved for my dedicated North Carolina mountain biking post which you can read about by clicking here.
But suffice it to say, I spent the next couple of weeks primarily mountain biking and didn’t regret a single moment. The beauty of the Carolinas is that the mountains and cities are close enough that I could easily bounce between shredding trails and enjoying city tours.
However, once you start mountain biking in North Carolina, it’s incredibly easy to get sucked in and spend weeks exploring just that, completely forgetting about cities or other attractions. In hindsight, the more logical (and perhaps less mountain-bike-biased) approach would have been to work my way up the South Carolina coast, then conclude with the mountain biking. But hey, when the trails call, a van lifer answers!
Charleston: The City with Undeniable Charm
My whole life, I’d heard how charming Charleston was, and that reputation absolutely holds true. Charleston truly has it all: historic buildings, a rich and fascinating history, and amazing food to boot.
I fell in love with Charleston for its history, its beauty, and its surprising progressiveness. I arrived with some preconceived notions that the city quickly dispelled.
Charleston also appears to be particularly van life friendly, a definite bonus for those of us on four wheels. They even allow overnight RV parking in the Visitor Center garage! For $24, you can park right next to the Visitor Center (an incredibly central location), hop on the trolley, and stay overnight. The garage felt safe, and I was quite comfortable. When I say central: the Visitor Center was a 1-minute walk, King Street 2-3 minutes, and the Aiken-Rhett House just a few blocks away. It’s prime parking real estate! Moreover, the Garage has a clearance of 12’8″ meaning you are likely to fit that RV in just fine!!!
Charleston offers so many opportunities, I recommend spending at least three full days there. You could dedicate one day to touring the city and getting an overview, another to visiting Fort Sumter and exploring the City Market and surrounding areas, and a third day to visiting historic plantations. That’s really just the bare minimum to scratch the surface! I would recommend you do the following for sure:
- Visit King Street and enjoy a leisurely stroll.
- Visit the historic City Market.
- Shop for a sweetgrass basket and actually talk to someone who makes them. Get there story and their family’s story.
- Visit Fort Sumter
- Visit a historic plantation.
- Enjoy shrimp and grits or a low country boil.
- Get some fudge. 😉
- Visit the open air art market at Marion Square and see local artists.
Pro-Tip: Fort Sumter is where the opening shots of the Civil War were fired. To get there you have to take a park service ferry. There is a very special flag ceremony that only the first boat and the last boat of the day get to participate in. I highly, highly recommend you take the first boat. If you are an American and not crying by the end – well you’re just stronger than I am!!!!
Some Favorite Myrtle Beach Photos!
Thousand Trails: My Basecamp Strategy
Thousand Trails offers good coverage in the Carolinas, with several parks in North Carolina and South Carolina. You’ll definitely want to do your research to see which locations fit your itinerary best.
I stayed at two different Thousand Trails Campgrounds during my stays in the Carolinas. I already wrote about Thousand Trails Carolina landing in my Van Life Article on Georgia, which you can read by clicking here.
In addition, I stayed at the Oaks at Point South in Yemassee which is about an 1-1.5 hours from the Charleston Visitor Center Garage, where I recommend you Van Life it! The park has a lovely lake, walking trails, and a nice pool area. I found it to be very pleasant and enjoyed the 2-3 nights I spent there.
If you want to know more about how I use Thousand Trails for my Van Life Adventure, Click here to read my blog post!
Want to Know More About Thousand Trails?
Thousand Trails is a membership camping program that gives members unlimited access (with some restrictions) to a network of hundreds of campgrounds across the United States for a set monthly fee. Depending on your membership level, you may spend as little as $5.00 per night to camp. How awesome is that?
Want to know more? Ready My Blog Post on How I use Thousand Trails As My #VanLife BaseCamp by clicking here. Or Check Out My Ultimate Thousand Trails Resource Page by Clicking here!
Thinking of Joining? Explore Your Options.
Van Life in the Carolinas: A Friendly Verdict
Overall, South Carolina felt fairly friendly to van life. This might be less true in the bustling beach areas like Myrtle Beach, but it was definitely the case in other areas, such as Charleston. I found iOverlander to be a typical good, reliable resource for the few times I needed to utilize it. And of course, the National Forests of North Carolina (like Pisgah and Uwharrie) offer plenty of fantastic boondocking opportunities, truly making them a van life dream for mountain bikers.
Ty’s Takeaways: A Tale of Two Carolinas (and My Bike's Obsession)
I was truly impressed by the mountain biking in North Carolina ([Click to read my article!] - make sure this links to your NC MTBing post), but it's undeniable: South Carolina did not get the attention it deserved from me. I should have spent more time exploring its beautiful beaches and rich cultural heritage. Charleston alone warrants more time than I gave it, and I strongly encourage you to enjoy its van life friendliness to the fullest.
Ultimately, my Carolinas trip became less about a balanced exploration of two states and more about an irresistible gravitational pull towards North Carolina's incredible mountain biking. But hey, sometimes you just gotta follow your wheels!
In the meantime.
Go Well. Be Well. Live Well.
~ Ty & Odie
Things I Wish I'd Seen in South Carolina (Before North Carolina Stole My Heart!)
If I could do it all again, and had a full month solely for the Carolinas with less mountain biking distraction, there are certainly things I would have loved to explore more in South Carolina. But because the mountain biking was so utterly amazing, it ended up overwhelming most of my stay. My original intent was only to mountain bike for a week or two, but as the trails proved to be everything I thought they would be and more, I found myself continually decreasing my time in other areas. This meant I only made a few key stops. However, for those with more self-control (or less of a mountain biking addiction!), I wish I would’ve visited the following:
- Congaree National Park: A unique floodplain forest with a boardwalk, great for hiking and kayaking. It’s a completely different ecosystem from the mountains!
- Hunting Island State Park: Known for its rustic feel, beautiful lighthouse, and unspoiled beaches. A true gem for nature lovers.
- Greenville: A vibrant city in the Upstate with a fantastic downtown, a river running through it, and a growing bike-friendly scene. (Though, to be fair, that’s closer to the mountains, which was my ultimate goal!)
Beyond the Carolinas: My Wishlist (and Yours!)
Speaking of other places, here are a few more suggestions for any van lifer or adventurer hitting the Southeast:
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NC/TN): While technically bordering North Carolina, it’s a world unto itself. Miles of hiking, stunning vistas, and iconic scenic drives. A must-see if you’re in the area.
- Raleigh-Durham (NC): A dynamic duo of cities with a fantastic food scene, burgeoning craft breweries, and cultural attractions. Great for a city fix after all that nature.
- The Outer Banks (NC): A completely different coastal experience from Myrtle Beach. Wild horses, historic lighthouses, expansive beaches, and a laid-back vibe. Perfect for a van life beach escape.
- Uwharrie National Forest (NC): Another excellent spot for mountain biking and boondocking in North Carolina, offering a different flavor of trails than Pisgah or Dupont.
Some favorite Myrtle Beach Photos!
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A Little Bit About Me.
I started writing this blog as a way to capture the adventurous and free lifestyle I’m privileged to live. I’ve traveled to over 28 countries and 35 U.S States. I’ve lived aboard in multiple countries and averaged over 100 days a year of travel for work. I’ve skied and hiked all over the world – and my new obsession is mountain biking.
What I bring to you isn’t AI generated. It’s based on my feet on the ground – or sometimes conversations with locals. Click here to read more about me!