Ocean Lakes Family Campground is a 310-acre gated oceanfront community in Myrtle Beach, SC. Inside the gates you’ll find a private mile of beach, a full water park, mini golf, pools, arcades, a dog park, and roughly 300 rental houses. Most of those houses, including all 34 of mine, come with a complimentary golf cart. You can drive your own car around inside, but most families park it on arrival and don’t touch it again until checkout day.
I’m Shawn, and I rent over 34 houses inside Ocean Lakes. I’ve watched thousands of first-time families come through. Here are the questions they wish they’d asked before they booked.
1. What kind of campground is Ocean Lakes, really?
When people hear “campground,” they picture tents and RVs. Ocean Lakes has those too (850+ RV sites), but the rental homes are full beach houses. Furnished, full kitchen, AC, Wi-Fi, multiple bedrooms, the works. You’re not “camping” in any traditional sense. You’re staying in an actual house inside a private, gated community on the beach. The official Ocean Lakes website describes it as a campground because of the RV side of the business, but the experience for rental guests is closer to a beach resort with a small-town feel.
2. Is Ocean Lakes actually gated, and what does that mean for guests?
Yes. You’ll need a car pass to get through the front gate (your rental manager arranges it before you arrive). The gate is part of why families like the place. Kids can take a golf cart to the pool without an adult panicking about who’s wandering through. There’s no random walk-in beach traffic. The downside is that every guest car needs its own pass, so if friends are coming for the day, plan that out in advance.
3. Where exactly is Ocean Lakes in Myrtle Beach?
The address is 6001 S Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29575. That puts you about four miles south of downtown Myrtle Beach, off the main strip. You’re closer to the family-beach vibe and away from most of the boardwalk chaos. Restaurants, grocery stores, and the Myrtle Beach International Airport are all 10 to 15 minutes from the gates.
4. Do I really need a golf cart at Ocean Lakes?
Yes. The campground covers 310 acres and the rental houses are spread out. Walking from a typical house to the water park takes 15 minutes or more, while a golf cart cuts it to under three. Without a cart you’re either making the hot walk or repeatedly moving your car around the campground. Confirm before booking that your rental includes a cart. All 34 of mine do, but not every rental at Ocean Lakes does, and renting one separately for the week typically runs $400 to $700 depending on size and season.
5. Are all parts of Ocean Lakes the same, or are some areas better?
There are roughly three areas inside the gates, and they’re not the same. Oceanfront and beachfront sites sit closest to the water, command the highest prices, and book up earliest. Mid-park sites are a short golf cart ride from both the beach and the water park, and they’re usually the sweet spot for first-time families. Lakeside and inland sites are quieter, farther from the beach, and often the best value for the week. When you’re comparing listings, ask which section each house is in before you commit.
6. Is the Ocean Lakes water park actually a real water park?
Yes. Sandy Harbor Family Fun Center has water slides, a lazy river, an Olympic-sized pool, kiddie pools, splash zones, and seating areas for parents. It’s included with your rental and open seasonally, typically May through September. For families with kids between 4 and 14, this single amenity is the most-cited reason families come back year after year.
7. What else is there to do inside Ocean Lakes besides the water park?
More than you’ll get to in a week. There’s 18-hole mini golf, an arcade with prize redemption, basketball and volleyball courts, shuffleboard, cornhole, horseshoes, walking trails, fishing lakes, a recreation center with seasonal fitness classes, planned kids’ activities, holiday celebrations, live music nights, and movies under the stars. The challenge of an Ocean Lakes week is usually choosing what to skip rather than finding something to do.
8. Is the Ocean Lakes beach really private?
The Ocean Lakes beach is gated and accessible only to guests, which matters more than it might sound. There’s always a stretch of sand available, even on the busiest summer Saturdays. Wristbands are checked during peak season to keep day-trippers off the beach, which is part of why the space stays manageable. The Visit Myrtle Beach tourism site lists Ocean Lakes specifically because of this private beach access.
9. Is Ocean Lakes pet-friendly, and are the rental homes too?
Ocean Lakes itself welcomes dogs, with a dog park and DIY dog wash stations on property. Individual rental homes vary though, so don’t assume your specific rental is pet-friendly just because the campground is. When you’re searching, filter for pet-friendly properties specifically, and confirm directly with the host. Several of my homes accept pets. A few don’t.
10. What’s included in a rental, and what should I pack?
Most Ocean Lakes rentals (mine included) are stocked with the basics: kitchen equipment, cookware, dishes, basic cleaning supplies, and starter toilet paper and paper towels. Sheets, towels, and full paper-product supplies for a 7-day stay are usually not included. You can either pack your own or pay for a linen rental, typically $60 to $100 for the week. Confirm with your specific host before you finish packing.
11. Can I get groceries and food inside the campground?
Meet ‘n’ Eat café handles breakfast, sandwiches, burgers, and ice cream. Sandy Mart stocks groceries, beach gear, sunscreen, snacks, and the small stuff you’ll inevitably forget. You don’t need to leave the gates for daily things. For a real weekly grocery run, Food Lion is about five minutes outside the gates.
12. How far in advance do I need to book Ocean Lakes?
For holiday weeks (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day), you should be booking six to twelve months out. For a typical peak summer week from mid-June through mid-August, expect most properties to be gone by March or April. If you’re shopping for a summer week in May or later, your options narrow fast.
13. Which rental company should I book with at Ocean Lakes?
You’ll see multiple options: Ocean Lakes Properties (the official rental arm), independent managers like Dune Life Rentals, the national franchise Casago Myrtle Beach, and individual homeowners listing on Airbnb and Vrbo. All of these are legitimate paths to a rental, but the experiences differ significantly. Read recent reviews, check response times, and make sure you’re communicating with a real person before you send any money.
There’s also a real scam risk every year. People set up fake Ocean Lakes listings using stolen photos and disappear with the deposits. If something feels off (email-only contact with no phone number, pressure to wire money or send Venmo to a personal account, urgency tactics designed to rush you), walk away. A legitimate rental company has a real address, a real phone number, a website with history, and a paper trail.
14. Should I book direct or through Airbnb/Vrbo?
Most Ocean Lakes rentals are listed on both the app and the rental company’s direct site. The direct site is almost always 12 to 18 percent cheaper because there’s no platform service fee. Same house, same week, same golf cart, just different totals at checkout. It takes 90 seconds to compare both, and the math almost always favors direct.
Frequently asked questions
How big is Ocean Lakes Family Campground? 310 acres with nearly a mile of private beachfront. Roughly 850 campsites and 300 rental houses.
Is Ocean Lakes the same as Myrtle Beach State Park? No. Ocean Lakes is a privately owned gated campground community at 6001 S Kings Hwy. Myrtle Beach State Park is a separate, state-run park north of there.
Do I need a car to get around at Ocean Lakes? You’ll need one to get there. Once inside, most families park their car for the week and use the golf cart for everything.
Are there grocery stores nearby? Yes. Food Lion, Walmart, and Lowes Foods are all within 10 minutes of the gates. Sandy Mart inside the campground handles basics.
Is the Ocean Lakes beach really private? Yes. It’s gated and accessible only to guests with wristbands, especially during peak season.
When is the best time of year to visit Ocean Lakes? Peak summer (June through August) for the full beach and water park experience. May and September for fewer crowds, lower rates, and most amenities still open. Off-season (October through April) for the cheapest rates with most water amenities closed.
Are pets allowed at Ocean Lakes? The campground welcomes dogs and has a dog park and dog wash stations. Whether your specific rental allows pets depends on the homeowner. Filter for pet-friendly properties specifically.
Can I bring guests for the day? Yes, through a day-pass system at the front gate. Policies adjust seasonally, so ask your rental manager before guests arrive.
Is Ocean Lakes good for multi-generational family trips? Very. Several properties sleep 10 to 14 people across multiple bedrooms, and the amenity spread works for ages from toddlers to grandparents.
What’s different about Ocean Lakes compared to other Myrtle Beach rentals? Ocean Lakes is a self-contained gated community with on-site amenities at scale. Most other Myrtle Beach rentals are individual condos or houses without anything close to the water park, beach access, and activity options that Ocean Lakes offers.
Last updated: May 8, 2026
About the author: Shawn Huffines has spent more than three decades at Ocean Lakes Family Campground, first as a guest and now as host of 34 rental homes through Dune Life Rentals. Reach Shawn at 336-382-1415 or shawn@duneliferentals.com.