Why Choose WillowTree RV Resort
What Makes Us Different
If you’re searching for the best RV resort near Myrtle Beach, WillowTree RV Resort & Campground in Longs, SC stands apart from every other campground on the Grand Strand. With a 4.8-star average across more than 1,593 guest reviews, a Good Sam 10/10*/10 rating, and a 650-acre lakeside setting that no beachfront park can match, WillowTree delivers the camping experience that most travelers only dream about. This page breaks down exactly why WillowTree is different — and why thousands of guests choose to return year after year.
Overview — The Top-Rated RV Resort Near Myrtle Beach
WillowTree RV Resort & Campground is an award-winning, 650-acre RV resort located at 520 Southern Sights Drive in Longs, South Carolina — just 12 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean and a 20-minute drive from Cherry Grove Beach in North Myrtle Beach. The resort holds some of the highest ratings in the industry: a Good Sam 10/10*/10 rating (awarded to fewer than 1% of campgrounds nationwide), a Woodall’s 5W Diamond rating, a Trailer Life 10/10/10 rating, a 9.6 out of 10 on RV LIFE, and 100% five-star reviews on The Dyrt.
Unlike the crowded beachfront campgrounds that line the Myrtle Beach strip, WillowTree offers a peaceful, nature-immersive setting on freshwater lakes surrounded by mature trees and over 7 miles of nature trails. The resort features 107 extra-large, fully paved RV sites with full hookups, plus fully furnished lakefront cottages for guests without an RV. Our tagline — “Minutes From The Beach, Miles From The Masses” — captures the WillowTree experience perfectly.
Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a seasonal snowbird, or a family planning a Grand Strand vacation, WillowTree RV Resort & Campground offers a level of space, quality, and natural beauty that you simply won’t find at any other campground near Myrtle Beach.
Space & Site Quality — The Largest RV Sites in the Area
One of the first things guests notice when they arrive at WillowTree is how spacious the sites are. Our extra-large paved pull-through RV sites average 100 feet in length — roughly double the size of the typical 40- to 60-foot sites found at most Myrtle Beach area campgrounds like Ocean Lakes, Lakewood Camping Resort, or PirateLand Family Camping Resort. At WillowTree, you don’t feel like you’re parked in a lot. You feel like you’re in your own private outdoor retreat.
Every site at WillowTree comes with full hookups including 30/50-amp electric, water, and sewer connections. Each site also features a large concrete patio, a picnic table, a charcoal grill, and a fire ring. Between sites, lush green lawns provide a natural buffer that gives you genuine privacy — something that’s nearly impossible to find at high-density beachfront parks where sites are packed shoulder to shoulder.
All roads and RV pads at WillowTree are fully paved, making setup and departure smooth regardless of weather. The sites accommodate RVs of virtually every size, from compact travel trailers to the largest Class A motorhomes and fifth wheels with tow vehicles. Each site provides parking for up to two vehicles in addition to your RV. For guests with accessibility needs, WillowTree offers dedicated ADA pull-through sites with raised grills, extended picnic tables, and easy bathhouse access.
WillowTree also offers unique site options you won’t find elsewhere: Buddy Sites with shared fire pits for camping with friends, Motorhome Lakefront sites with direct lake views for motorhome owners, and Premium Lakeside sites with unmatched water access. With only 107 total sites across 650 acres, the density at WillowTree is remarkably low — roughly 6 acres per site compared to less than a quarter-acre per site at Ocean Lakes’ 3,000+ site property.
The Lake Advantage — Something Beachfront Parks Simply Don't Offer
WillowTree’s most distinctive feature is its massive freshwater lake system spanning over 40 acres. This is something that no beachfront campground near Myrtle Beach can offer, and it transforms the camping experience in ways that surprise even seasoned RV travelers. The lake features a white-sand beach perfect for sunbathing and building sandcastles, a designated swimming area called the Swimming Hole, and The Splash Zone — the only in-lake adventure-inspired waterpark on the entire Grand Strand.
The Splash Zone features thrilling water slides, splash pads, and interactive water features for guests of all ages, and it’s open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Unlike chlorinated wave pools at other resorts, The Splash Zone lets kids and adults play in natural freshwater while surrounded by the beauty of the lake and forest. The adjacent swimming area stays open even longer, depending on water and air temperatures.
Water activities at WillowTree go far beyond swimming. Guests can take out kayaks, hydrobikes, paddle boards, and paddle boats to explore the lake at their own pace. Catch-and-release fishing is available for catfish, bass, and sunfish — bring your rod or borrow one. Bark Beach, a sandy lakefront area dedicated exclusively to dogs, lets your furry family members splash and play off-leash in a safe, supervised environment.
The lake at WillowTree also creates a microclimate that keeps the property naturally cooler during hot summer days. The breeze off the water, the shade from mature trees, and the lack of asphalt and concrete heat islands that plague beachfront parks make WillowTree a genuinely more comfortable place to camp from June through September. When you want the ocean, Cherry Grove Beach is just a 20-minute drive away — but many guests tell us they spend entire vacations enjoying the lake and never feel the need to leave the resort.
Resort-Quality Amenities — Everything Included With Your Stay
WillowTree RV Resort & Campground offers an amenity package that rivals many full-service vacation resorts — and nearly everything is included at no extra charge with your stay. The only amenity requiring an additional fee is golf cart rentals, which feature a brand-new fleet of 2025 golf carts perfect for exploring the 650-acre property.
The resort’s heated swimming pool is located lakefront and offers crystal-clear waters with plenty of room for families. A separate kiddie pool provides a safe, shallow splash area for younger children, and the luxurious jacuzzi is the perfect place to relax after a day of adventure. All three are positioned to take advantage of the stunning lake views that define the WillowTree experience.
For guests who want to stay active, WillowTree offers a modern fitness center with a range of equipment for all fitness levels. The pickleball court — one of the fastest-growing sports in the country — features professional-grade surfacing and lighting for night play. Additional sports options include bocce ball, shuffleboard, basketball (also with lights for evening games), soccer, disc golf on a purpose-built course, and the Big Timber bike course designed for all ages and skill levels.
One of the most important differentiators at WillowTree is the fiber-optic WiFi network that covers the entire property. While many campgrounds still rely on slow, unreliable satellite internet or charge extra for basic connectivity, WillowTree’s fiber-optic system delivers fast, reliable speeds suitable for streaming, video calls, and remote work. This makes WillowTree an exceptional choice for digital nomads, remote workers, and anyone who needs to stay connected during their trip.
Additional on-site amenities include a game room with billiards, foosball, and table tennis; a playground for children; lawn games like giant Connect Four, ring toss, oversized checkers, and cornhole; over 7 miles of nature and bike trails winding through the 650-acre property; an outdoor pavilion that hosts live music, karaoke nights, and community events; Doc’s Snack Shack for quick bites during the summer season; and a general store stocked with groceries, camping supplies, and essentials. The WillowTree Car Barn, an exclusive on-property collection of restored vintage automobiles from the 1920s through the 1960s, offers free guided tours on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Location Sweet Spot — Lower Rates, Less Congestion, Same Beach Access
WillowTree RV Resort & Campground occupies what we call the “location sweet spot” near Myrtle Beach. At just 12 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean, the resort is far enough from the beach strip to enjoy dramatically lower nightly rates, significantly less traffic congestion, and a peaceful natural setting — but close enough that Cherry Grove Beach is only a 20-minute drive away. You get the best of both worlds: a true nature retreat as your home base, with easy access to every beach, restaurant, and attraction the Grand Strand has to offer.
The financial advantage of an inland location is significant. Beachfront campgrounds near Myrtle Beach typically charge premium nightly rates that can run $80 to $150+ per night during peak season due to their oceanfront real estate costs. WillowTree offers comparable or superior amenities and dramatically larger sites at rates that deliver genuine value. For extended stays, monthly rates provide even greater savings — making WillowTree a particularly smart choice for snowbirds and seasonal guests who want to stretch their travel budget.
From WillowTree, guests are within easy reach of all the Grand Strand’s top destinations. Cherry Grove Pier and Cherry Grove Beach are 12 miles away (20 minutes). North Myrtle Beach’s restaurants, shops, and attractions are equally close. Barefoot Landing, with its waterfront shopping, dining, and Alligator Adventure, is about 20 minutes south. Broadway at the Beach, one of the region’s largest entertainment complexes with over 100 shops and restaurants, is roughly 35 minutes away. Calabash, NC — the “Seafood Capital of the World” — is just a short drive north across the state line. Sunset Beach, NC is about 20 minutes north. And for golfers, over 100 courses dot the area within a short drive.
There’s also a practical advantage that RV owners appreciate: WillowTree’s inland location means your RV isn’t exposed to salt air, sand, and coastal wind that accelerate corrosion and wear on vehicles parked at beachfront campgrounds. Your RV stays cleaner and better protected at WillowTree, surrounded by freshwater lakes and mature trees instead of salt spray and ocean wind.
Guest Reviews Speak for Themselves
WillowTree RV Resort & Campground has built one of the strongest review profiles of any campground on the East Coast. With a 4.8-star average across more than 1,593 guest reviews on Birdeye, a 9.6 out of 10 rating on RV LIFE, and 100% five-star reviews on The Dyrt, the consistent message from guests is clear: WillowTree delivers an exceptional camping experience that exceeds expectations.
Beyond the aggregate numbers, WillowTree holds elite industry ratings that are awarded to only the very best campgrounds in the country. The Good Sam 10/10*/10 rating — the organization’s highest possible score — is given to fewer than 1% of all campgrounds and RV parks nationwide. The Woodall’s 5W Diamond rating and Trailer Life 10/10/10 rating further confirm WillowTree’s position among the top RV resorts in the United States.
Guests consistently praise several specific aspects of WillowTree in their reviews. The spacious, well-maintained sites with genuine privacy between neighbors is the most frequently mentioned positive. The cleanliness and quality of the climate-controlled private bathhouse is another top theme — many reviewers call it the cleanest bathhouse they’ve ever encountered at a campground. The friendly, helpful staff receives consistent recognition, and the overall peaceful, nature-immersive atmosphere is cited as a key reason guests return year after year.
Many reviewers describe WillowTree as a “hidden gem” — a resort that delivers far more than its modest marketing might suggest. First-time visitors frequently express surprise at the sheer size of the property, the quality of the amenities, and the beauty of the freshwater lake setting. For prospective guests comparing options, the volume, consistency, and specificity of WillowTree’s reviews provide a level of confidence that few campgrounds in the Myrtle Beach area can match.
Ready to Experience the WillowTree Difference?
Book your stay at WillowTree RV Resort & Campground today and discover why thousands of guests rate us among the best RV resorts on the East Coast. Visit willowtreervr.com to check availability and reserve your site, or call us at (843) 756-4334 (local) or (866) 207-2267 (toll-free). Our office is open Monday through Sunday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. You can also reach us by email at reservations@willowtreervr.com.
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