The North Myrtle Beach area that surrounds North Beach Plantation offers scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, but there are a few places you can’t get to on foot and are best reached on hoof. And there is no better vista of the beaches, wetlands and woodlands of North Myrtle Beach than from high in the saddle aboard a horse.
Offering private beach rides, waterway trail tours, and even pony rides for the little ones, Inlet Point Plantation in North Myrtle Beach provides highly trained horses and professionally guided tours of the property and the surrounding trails. Everyone from beginners to experienced pros can find the adventure to meet their comfort level at Inlet Point.
Unlike the city of Myrtle Beach, which bans horseback riding except for special events in the offseason, this unincorporated section of Horry County allows horses year-round on this secluded stretch of beach near Cherry Grove Inlet. At low tide, patrons can cross over Dunn Sound to the uninhabited beach on Waites Island for a breath-taking view of the sunset. Take a gallop through the surf and sea breeze for a bucket-list moment that will make your vacation complete.
For a slightly drier but equally enjoyable ride, the Inlet Point Plantation has a series of trails that lead to the Intracoastal Waterway. Riders can parallel the waterway and watch yachts and fishing boats sail past and wave, or seek a more secluded trail through the dense maritime forests that run along the waterfront. The tour also winds through the picturesque plantation’s live oak trees and pecan groves, where hand-lead kiddie rides are offered for children up to 10.
Inlet Point Plantation can accommodate couples, families and large groups, making it a great place for a romantic date, a family vacation outing or a special occasion. Reservations are recommended to ensure the availability of horses. The one-hour tours are $100 per person, and the two-hour combination island/plantation package is $150. Private tours are available at an additional cost for those looking to celebrate a honeymoon, anniversary, birthday or marriage proposal. For more information, visit http://www.inletpointplantation.com
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For those interested in seeing a different side of the Grand Strand on horseback, here are a few other options:
Horseback Riding of Myrtle Beach: Located on the outskirts of Conway, about a half-hour drive inland from North Beach, this outfitter features large stables surrounded by wilderness trails designed for all experience levels. Patrons can select from beginner, intermediate and advanced levels of horses and trails, and the scenic countryside provides the perfect backdrop for a horseback riding adventure. Those trails are available year-round, but the beach tours run from November through February, when horses are permitted on the beach throughout unincorporated areas of Horry and Georgetown County. Tours depart from the Garden City Beach area and into Murrells Inlet. Reservations are required.
Myrtle Beach State Park: If you have your own horse or access to one, Myrtle Beach State Park allow visitors to unload their trailers with direct access to the beach. The state park is the only section of Myrtle Beach where horses are allowed, but only from November through February.
Wampee Stables: Located about 5 miles inland of North Beach, this rural stable is surrounded by scenic trails through swampy stretches of the South Carolina Lowcountry. Wampee Stables also offers riding lessons for kids and summer camps if your child is interested in equestrian sports.
After a long, fun day in the saddle, head back to your vacation home at North Beach Plantation for a little rest, relaxation and recovery. Work out the kinks in the hot tub or at the on-site Cinzia Spa, then belly up to the swim-up bar for a nightcap on a perfect day in North Myrtle Beach, SC.
