So, I finally got myself over to Walker Woods in Myrtle Beach the other day. Been meaning to, you know, escape the usual beach craziness for a bit. Packed a bottle of water, threw on some old sneakers – good thing I did, more on that later – and just went.
Finding the entrance wasn’t too bad, a little tucked away, which I actually liked. Less of a big, showy park entrance, more like you’re just stumbling into some actual woods. First thing I noticed? The quiet. Man, after all the noise on Ocean Boulevard, this place was like a different planet. Just the sound of leaves and the occasional bird. Good start, I thought.
I just started walking. No real plan, just followed the main trail. It’s mostly a dirt path, pretty well-maintained, I gotta say. They’ve got these little wooden boardwalks over the swampy bits, which are kind of neat. I found myself stomping on them a bit, like a kid. Don’t judge. The trees are tall, lots of pine, I think. Gives you that proper ‘woods’ feeling.
Didn’t see a whole lot of wildlife, to be honest. A few squirrels, cheeky little guys, and a couple of lizards zipping around. Heard more birds than I saw. But that was fine by me. I wasn’t there for a safari, more just to clear my head, you know? Get away from screens and concrete for an hour or two.
My ‘Big’ Adventure with the Mud
Okay, so about those sneakers. There was this one section, looked dry enough. Famous last words. One step, and SQUELCH. My foot went down a good inch or two into this sneaky patch of mud. Not deep, deep mud, but enough to make a mess. My first thought was, “Well, these sneakers are definitely done for.” They were old anyway, so no big loss, but it was one of those moments where you just laugh at yourself. Could almost hear my mom saying “I told you to wear your boots!” even though she wasn’t there. So yeah, word to the wise: don’t wear your pristine white kicks here, especially if it’s rained recently. Consider this your official warning from someone who learned the hard way. Classic me, really.
I kept going, mud-caked shoe and all. It wasn’t a super long hike, I probably did a loop in about an hour, maybe a bit more because I was just taking my time. No rush. That’s the beauty of a place like this. No schedule, no lines. Just you and the trees.
There were a few other people on the trail, a family here, a couple there, but it never felt crowded. Everyone just kind of doing their own thing, enjoying the peace. It’s funny, you’re just a few miles from all the hotels and arcades, but it feels a world away.
- Pros: Super peaceful, easy trails, good for a quick nature fix.
- Cons: Watch out for mud, and yeah, bring bug spray. The little biters were out in certain spots.
By the time I got back to my car, I felt pretty refreshed. My shoes were a disaster, but my head was clearer. It’s not the most spectacular nature preserve on Earth, not trying to be. But for a simple, quiet walk in the woods right there in Myrtle Beach? Walker Woods definitely does the job. Sometimes simple is all you need. I’ll probably go back, maybe next time I’ll actually remember the bug spray. And wear even older shoes.
