Ocean Lakes Family Campground was built by Mary Emily and Nelson Jackson along with their five daughters, starting in 1970. On July 2, 1971, Ocean Lakes opened with 30 campsites and one bathhouse. Nelson Jackson was 50 years old at the time.
“People were lined up outside the gate by the hundreds and we were clearing spots for their campers as fast as they could park ‘em,” he explains with a smile.
Today, Ocean Lakes features 859 campsites and 2,572 annual lease sites on 310 oceanfront acres with nearly one mile of beachfront, five bathhouses, and more than 700 employees (teammates) in the height of the camping season. It is the largest campground on the east coast and one of the largest in the United States.
The Myrtle Beach Family Campground Association unites seven premier, family-owned camping resorts—Lakewood Camping Resort, Myrtle Beach KOA Resort, Myrtle Beach Travel Park, North Myrtle Beach RV Resort & Dry Dock Marina, Ocean Lakes Family Campground, PirateLand Family Camping Resort, and WillowTree RV Resort & Campground—to celebrate and promote the rich tradition of coastal camping along South Carolina’s Grand Strand. Together, we are committed to delivering exceptional guest experiences through diverse accommodations, outstanding amenities, and genuine Southern hospitality. Our mission is to foster a vibrant, sustainable camping community that honors our natural surroundings, supports local partnerships, and creates unforgettable memories for families and adventurers alike.
