I found a family campground that is wonderfully accessible for handicapped travelers, and guess what! It is right on the beach! Ocean Lakes Family Campground, a destination campground, is just 6 miles south of Myrtle Beach. Named 1997,1999, 2002/03 National RV Park of the Year By. ARVC, it definitely deserves these awards.
Though Ocean Lakes is a very large busy park, with over 3300 sites, it still has a real community atmosphere. This I believe is accomplished by the attitude of staff from the top down: from the founders Nelson and Mary Emily Jackson to the teammates who run the many activities.
Ocean Lakes is a Real family camp with kids everywhere of all ages having a marvelous time. With the 11pm curfew things really settle down well. Also Ocean Lakes has it own security force, which keep a real eagle eye on things.
Ocean Lakes features nearly one mile of soft sandy beach leading you right into the beautifully refreshing Atlantic Ocean. You can take in the entire view from the oceanfront Observation Deck. There is a convenient oceanfront Beach Concession right beside the oceanfront Observation Deck.
Guests with Special Needs
Ocean Lake Family Campgrounds really works hard to make all guests comfortable. For those with special needs, Ocean Lakes has created a handicap accessible environment. Golf carts can be rented to assist those with special needs in traveling throughout the campground. If you, or someone in your family, need assistance just tell any one of the teammates immediately, and they will readily help you. Many of the teammates carry hand-held radios and can alert security or another teammate of a problem or special need.
What I found was most of Ocean Lakes amenities are on ground level, without stairs. For those of us who are physically challenged, the few buildings and structures that have stairs, also feature ramps. There are several beach accesses, but one is especially good. It has a small deck that you can overlook the beach. If you want to enjoy the beach, the Recreation Office has beach wheel chairs equipped with large wheels to travel over sand.
Now the swimming pools are just wonderful! The Recreation Office has a portable handicap lifts for the pools to assist wheel-chair-bound guests.
The streets are paved for a smoother ride – all 29 miles throughout Ocean Lakes! Since I have limited mobility, I used the golf cart to get around nearly exclusively, and they are great fun! You can rent them by the day, week, month, or whatever. The cart rentals are right on site. That is also a great way to explore Ocean Lakes (and so healthy, too)! If you need a bicycle, just stroll down to the Recreation Office to get your bike.
Hearing impaired, guests will be please with the signage throughout the park, and visual materials will be of aide. If you are deaf, it would be appropriate (and possibly more convenient for you) to contact Ocean Lakes via e-mail regarding a reservation
For the visually challenged, pets are permitted at all campsites. If you are renting a unit, please let them know you are bringing a guide dog. (Pets are generally not permitted in the rental units.)
Campsites
Ocean Lakes Family Campground features 893 campsites. All sites are pull -through and generally accommodate a 40′ campers with slide-outs on both sides. Some sites are much larger than others. Tents are welcome on all sites as well. All sites include water, sewer, 20-30-50 amp electric, 70 channel cable TV hookup, a modem-friendly phone jack with free local calls, daily curbside trash pickup and a picnic table. Reservations are made up to 18 months in advance according to site availability and sites are reserved by specific site number. You’ll know exactly what site you are going to be on when you make the reservation! Tip: if you need a paved pad campsite let the office know when you make your reservations.
Beach House and Trailer Rentals
You don’t need a camper to stay at Ocean Lakes! They have nearly 300 rental sites that range in all sizes and price ranges! Ocean Lakes Properties handles the reservations beginning in January every year. Each house or trailer available is individually owned, so each site has a unique personality. The rental sites are fully furnished, all you need to do is bring your linen and personal items.
Pools
Ocean Lakes has an outdoor Olympic-sized pool, an all-seasons pool, and two kiddie pools, complete with lifeguards in season. Kids can enjoy the new Sandy Harbor Splash Zone. The pool area and sun decks are part of the Sandy Harbor Family Fun Center next to the Ocean Lakes Recreation Center. The Sandy Harbor Cafe is a great spot for a quick snack or delicious ice cream (Beware, the large cone is LARGE!)
Recreation Center
The hub of activities is the 17,000 square foot Recreation Center. Check out the Activities Calendar and the racks of Myrtle Beach brochures. You can also speak with the full-time Recreation staff. These people are professionals and make sure everyone has fun.
Ocean Lakes offers many activities for the little tykes under the watchful eye of staff, (or teammates) who operate “Kamp Starfish.
Child Identification Program is a great idea and is operated through the Recreation Building. All guests are welcome to pickup a waterproof wristband for their children or the mentally challenged. The wristband has the campground’s name and the guest’s campsite number. This service is free to all guests.
The Game Center located next to the Recreation Building is Sandy Harbor Family Fun Center. Great games for all ages.
One of the many neat things That I really enjoyed at Ocean Lakes is the Ocean Lakes Nature Center Discovery Lab It is a wonderful place for rainy days or to take a break from the beach or pool. All kinds of interesting things have been found right here on Ocean Lakes’ beachfront, from a 6” wide sharks’ tooth fossil, to a bison’s tooth fossil, and you can see them at the Discover Center. Ocean Lakes guests are encouraged to bring items found on the beach for identification.
Fishing
With a mile of oceanfront and eight lakes, you will be able to find the perfect “fishing hole.”
Camptown Store
You will find all you needs at the 10,000 square foot Camptown Store, which includes groceries, snacks, ice, gifts, and souvenirs. Right next door to the camp store is the main snack bar they share the same parking lot! Where you will find great fast food and wonderful ice cream cones – I tried them and they are the best!! If you need anything for your RV, that is covered too at the Ocean Lakes RV Center.
Security
Security is a priority at Ocean Lakes Family Campground. The 24-hour security patrol offers guests customer service and peace of mind around the clock. The security gates are always manned and open 24 hours a day for guests’ convenience.
Maintenance
Due to the size of this oceanfront campground, an important aspect of customer service and operations is maintenance. Ocean Lakes employs a wide range of talented teammates from carpenters and electricians to plumbers and mechanics.
With six bathhouses totaling more than 150 toilets, dozens of showers, and handicap facilities Ocean Lakes puts a priority on hygiene. Ocean Lakes has a team of people to attend the bathhouses, checking each one several times a day.
Landscaping / Grounds / Appearance
As a destination campground, Ocean Lakes takes great care with its appearance and landscaping.The Horticulturalist, along with an experienced group of teammates, oversees the care of all 310 oceanfront acres. Ocean Lakes does all of its own planting and grounds maintenance, and grows many of its plants in their own greenhouse.
Real Travel Adventures 