Myrtle Beach Boardwalk (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA)

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is the main oceanfront walking route in downtown Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, connecting the busy beach-access corridor around Plyler Park, Pier 14 and Second Avenue Pier. The practical visitor route is usually described as about 1.2 miles from the 14th Avenue pier area to Second Avenue Pier, while city material also notes later additions toward 16th Avenue North, bringing the full boardwalk corridor closer to 1.3 miles when the northern extension is counted.

The Street View below gives a practical look at the boardwalk area near Plyler Park before the visitor details table.

*Boardwalk Name*	Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Oceanfront Promenade
*City and State*	Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA
*Main Visitor Corridor*	14th Avenue North pier area to Second Avenue Pier, Myrtle Beach, SC
*Central Mapping Point*	Plyler Park, 1000 North Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, SC
*Typical Length*	About 1.2 miles pier-to-pier; about 1.3 miles when later northern additions are included
*Route Type*	Oceanfront boardwalk, beach promenade and downtown coastal walkway
*Main Surface*	Wood-like replacement decking, promenade sections and oceanfront access paths
*Main Segments*	Raised boardwalk, wide downtown activity section and a more open southern promenade
*Public Access*	Public oceanfront route; no boardwalk admission fee
*General Opening*	Listed by official tourism information as open 24 hours; events, work zones and weather can affect use
*Parking Pattern*	City street-end and on-street meters near the boardwalk; private lots also operate nearby
*Meter Season*	City paid parking is listed for March 1 through September 30, 9:00 a.m. to midnight
*Common Meter Rates*	Beach access street ends: $3/hour or $15/day; some on-street areas: $2/hour
*Seven-Day Visitor Parking Pass*	$50 at the city-listed parking office; verify availability before relying on it
*Restrooms*	Public restrooms listed at 1104 Withers Alley, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, near Ocean Boulevard and the SkyWheel area
*Dog Rules*	May 1 through Labor Day: boardwalk only 5:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.; off-season: allowed at any time, leashed
*Bicycle Rules*	May 1 through Labor Day: boardwalk only 5:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.; off-season: allowed at any time
*Leash Limit*	Dogs must be on a leash seven feet or shorter
*Bike Racks Nearby*	City-listed racks include Plyler Park, 14th Avenue Pier and boardwalk access points from First through Ninth Avenues North
*Accessible Beach Access Nearby*	City list marks Second Avenue North as fully accessible; several nearby entries are ramp-only
*Ambassador Help Line*	Gold Cap Ambassadors: 843-780-1445
*Best Use*	Oceanfront walk, downtown beach access, pier-to-pier route, family beach stroll

How Myrtle Beach Boardwalk Fits the Downtown Oceanfront

The boardwalk sits directly behind the sand in Myrtle Beach’s downtown oceanfront district. It is not a remote nature boardwalk and it is not the same place as Broadway at the Beach. Its role is more practical: it links beach access points, piers, hotels, shops, food stops, arcades, small public spaces and Ocean Boulevard crossings in one walkable coastal strip.

The busiest center of the route is around Plyler Park, the SkyWheel area and the former Pavilion district. Visitors who want the most direct introduction should map to Plyler Park or the public restrooms at Withers Alley, then walk north or south depending on crowd level, sun angle and parking location.

The route can feel different by block. North of the central area, the walk narrows and feels closer to a classic raised beach boardwalk. The middle blocks carry most of the downtown energy. The southern approach toward Second Avenue Pier feels more open, with a promenade character and broader views toward the beach.

Route Character by Segment

Northern Boardwalk Near Pier 14 and Plyler Park

The northern portion near Pier 14 and Plyler Park is the part many visitors picture first: ocean on one side, downtown businesses on the other and a direct connection into the central beach district. It is useful for a short walk because visitors can reach the boardwalk from Ocean Boulevard without needing to commit to the full pier-to-pier route.

This area is also where the length question becomes slightly confusing. Official tourism information often describes the boardwalk as running from the 14th Avenue pier area to Second Avenue Pier, while city material notes that later additions extended the route north toward 16th Avenue North. For visitor planning, the safest wording is about 1.2 to 1.3 miles depending on the endpoint counted.

Central Blocks Around Plyler Park and the Former Pavilion Area

The central boardwalk is the most active part of the route. It sits near shops, arcades, casual food stops, beach crossings and the SkyWheel area. The official tourism page describes the SkyWheel as 187 feet tall, which makes it a useful visual marker for finding the center of the boardwalk from nearby streets.

Plyler Park gives this section a public gathering point rather than just a line of storefronts. It is also close to the public restroom location on Withers Alley, making it a practical midpoint for visitors walking with children, older adults or anyone who wants a shorter boardwalk visit.

Southern Promenade Toward Second Avenue Pier

The southern section toward Second Avenue Pier has a more open promenade feel. This is the better direction for visitors who want a less stop-and-start walk and a clearer view down the beach. Second Avenue North is also listed by the city as a fully accessible beach access, which makes the area worth checking for visitors planning a beach transition near the south end.

Second Avenue Pier is a strong end marker because it gives the route a clear southern turnaround. During busy months, many visitors walk only part of the route, especially between Plyler Park and the pier, rather than covering the full boardwalk in one pass.

Access, Parking and On-Site Basics

Access is easiest from the numbered avenue street ends, Ocean Boulevard crossings and public spaces around Plyler Park. Drivers should treat parking as a planning item, not an afterthought. City parking near the boardwalk includes beach-access street ends and on-street meters, while private lots nearby set their own rules and rates.

City parking information lists paid parking from March 1 through September 30, enforced from 9:00 a.m. to midnight. Rates vary by location: beach-access street ends are listed at $3 per hour or $15 all day, while some on-street areas are listed at $2 per hour. Because meter rules can change by ordinance and location, visitors should read the posted meter or pay-station sign before leaving the vehicle.

Planning note: the public boardwalk itself does not require an admission ticket, but parking, chair rentals, special activities and nearby private lots can add cost to a visit.

Mobility, Restrooms and Beach Access

The boardwalk is a coastal public route, but the ease of movement varies by block, crowd level, beach crossings and nearby construction or maintenance. The city lists 143 public beach access points across Myrtle Beach, with several boardwalk-area entries near 16th Avenue North, 15th Avenue North, 14th Avenue North, 13th Avenue North, 12th Avenue North, Plyler Park, Ninth Avenue North, Eighth Avenue North, Seventh Avenue North, Sixth Avenue North, Fifth Avenue North, Fourth Avenue North, Third Avenue North, Second Avenue North and First Avenue North.

For boardwalk visitors, the most useful accessibility detail is that Second Avenue North is listed by the city as fully accessible, while several nearby access points are marked as ramp-only. Beach wheelchairs and mobility equipment may involve third-party providers, so visitors who need beach-sand access should verify equipment, timing and pickup details before arrival.

Public restrooms are listed on Ocean Boulevard between Mr. Joe White Avenue and 12th Avenue North, directly across from the SkyWheel area, with the mapped restroom location given as 1104 Withers Alley. That makes the central boardwalk more practical than the far ends for short visits.

Rules That Affect a Boardwalk Visit

The rules most likely to affect a boardwalk visitor involve dogs, bicycles, beach access and safe use of nearby piers. From May 1 through Labor Day, dogs and bicycles are allowed on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk only from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.. From the day after Labor Day through April 30, both are allowed on the boardwalk at any time of day.

Dogs must stay on a leash seven feet or shorter, and owners must clean up after them. The city also notes that personal electronic devices are not allowed on city-owned property, including the boardwalk. For beach users, swimming, surfing and other aquatic activity are not allowed within 75 yards of a pier.

Safety note: beach conditions, flag warnings and water-quality advisories should be checked close to the visit date, especially during summer storms, rip-current days and peak swim season.

Surface, Materials and Repair History

The modern Myrtle Beach Boardwalk opened on May 15, 2010. City retrospective material describes the original project as a $6.5 million oceanfront improvement built after eight months of construction, with three main parts: a raised wooden boardwalk, a wide central section and a meandering oceanfront promenade.

Maintenance has changed the walking surface over time. In 2022, the city announced a $3.7 million renovation replacing original southern yellow pine decking with a more durable wood-like product. Official tourism information also notes recycled plastic boards in multiple colors, presented as a durability and accessibility improvement for the boardwalk.

That material choice matters because oceanfront boardwalks face heat, salt air, sand abrasion, heavy foot traffic and storm exposure. A more durable surface can reduce splintering and replacement cycles, but visitors should still expect occasional work zones, uneven transitions and temporary closures after weather events.

Location Map and Route Planning

The map is centered on Plyler Park, a practical midpoint for reaching the boardwalk, restrooms, Ocean Boulevard crossings and the most active downtown beach blocks.

For a short visit, map to Plyler Park or the Withers Alley restroom area and walk a few blocks in either direction. For the classic pier-to-pier walk, start near the 14th Avenue pier area and continue south toward Second Avenue Pier, or reverse the route if parking is easier on the south end.

Who the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk Suits Best

Good fit: visitors who want a downtown beach walk with quick access to ocean views, public beach entries, food stops, arcades, piers and a central restroom location.

Better at quieter times: visitors with strollers, mobility needs or dogs may find early morning and off-season periods easier, especially because summer dog and bicycle hours are limited.

Less ideal: visitors looking for a quiet wetland boardwalk, a shaded nature trail or a long uninterrupted fitness path may prefer a different coastal walkway away from the downtown entertainment district.

Field Notes for a Better Visit

Use Plyler Park as the central reference point if meeting others or starting a short walk.
Check meter signs before leaving the car because city rates vary by beach access, core district and secondary areas.
Bring sun protection; shade is limited on many boardwalk and promenade stretches.
Expect crowd changes by season; summer evenings, event periods and beach-weather weekends are busier.
For dogs and bicycles, use early morning in summer or visit outside the May 1-to-Labor Day restricted period.
Use Second Avenue North for accessible beach planning, then confirm current surface and equipment needs before arrival.

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk FAQ

How long is the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk?

The commonly listed visitor route is about 1.2 miles from the 14th Avenue pier area to Second Avenue Pier. City material also notes later additions toward 16th Avenue North, so some descriptions use about 1.3 miles for the full corridor.

Where should I park for the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk?

For the central boardwalk, look around Plyler Park, Ocean Boulevard, Withers Alley and nearby numbered avenues. City parking includes beach-access street ends and on-street meters, while nearby private lots set their own prices.

Is the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk free?

Yes. Walking the public boardwalk does not require an admission fee. Parking, rentals, activities and nearby private businesses may cost extra.

Can dogs go on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk?

Yes, but summer hours are limited. From May 1 through Labor Day, dogs are allowed on the boardwalk only from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. From the day after Labor Day through April 30, they are allowed at any time. Dogs must be leashed.

Can bicycles use the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk?

Yes, with the same seasonal timing pattern as dogs. From May 1 through Labor Day, bicycles are allowed only from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Off-season, they are allowed at any time unless posted rules or temporary conditions say otherwise.

Is Myrtle Beach Boardwalk the same as Broadway at the Beach?

No. Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is an oceanfront route downtown. Broadway at the Beach is an inland entertainment and shopping area away from the sand.