MURRELLS INLET, SC- Attendance at Huntington Beach State Park is at record levels.
According to Assistant Manager J.W. Weatherford, the park’s campground is 95% booked for the entire year.
“We just need some more supply because the demand is so high for our campsite,” he said.
The park plans to spend $1 million on 50 new campsites in 2016.
Huntington Beach State Park is among the top three most popular state parks in South Carolina.
“We just have so many locals from around our area that come out to Huntington Beach so frequently,” said Weatherford.
The majority of visitors come from South Carolina, North Carolina and surprisingly, Quebec.
“That really shows that the state parks are really influential in bringing outside county tax dollars as well as international dollars,” explained Weatherford.
Governor Nikki Haley issued a mandate three years ago requiring all 47 state parks to become 100% self sufficient, in case the state cuts funding. Huntington Beach State Park operates at 134% self sufficiency, which translates to a budget surplus of over $800,000.
“We made a good bit more than we spent this year,” stated Weatherford.
Huntington Beach State Park will host its 40th annual Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival September 25-27. The event is estimated to bring 7,000-10,000 people to the park.
