TL;DR: The Nature Conservancy has purchased over 4,600 acres of timberland in Horry County — near Aynor, Conway, and Red Bluff — and is transferring it permanently to the SC Department of Natural Resources. Set to open for public recreational use by 2027, this conservation win has direct implications for real estate values, outdoor lifestyle appeal, and long-term land use certainty in the area.
Horry County continues to be one of the fastest-growing counties in the entire country. You've heard it before — and it keeps being true. But growth doesn't have to mean paving everything over. A major announcement recently made headlines that's worth paying attention to if you're thinking about buying, selling, or relocating to the Grand Strand area: more than 4,600 acres of land in inland Horry County are now protected — permanently.
Watch the full breakdown in the video below, then read on for everything you need to know about what this means for land, lifestyle, and real estate values in the area.
What Just Happened: 4,600 Acres Protected in Horry County
The Nature Conservancy purchased four separate parcels of timberland totaling more than 4,600 acres in unincorporated Horry County. The land borders areas near Aynor, Conway, and Red Bluff — well inland from the beach corridor, not in the tourist hot spots most people picture when they think of Myrtle Beach.
The plan is to transfer everything to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) by early 2027. Once that transfer is complete, the land is locked in as permanent public conservation. It cannot be rezoned. It cannot be developed. That designation is fixed.
By 2027, the public should have access to the land for recreational use. Activities being discussed include hiking, kayaking, fishing, biking, and hunting. Think trails, river access, and open natural space — a meaningful addition to an area that already has Myrtle Beach State Park, Huntington Beach State Park, and Lewis Ocean Bay Preserve among its conservation assets.
This is not a fringe environmental story. It has real relevance for anyone thinking about real estate in Horry County.
Why This Matters for Real Estate Values
When land near a property is permanently protected from development, that's a form of insurance for homeowners and buyers. You know what's next door won't become a distribution center, a strip mall, or a subdivision. That kind of certainty has measurable value.
Properties adjacent to or near permanently protected conservation land tend to benefit from several factors. First, the view and buffer are preserved indefinitely. Second, recreational access adds lifestyle value — particularly relevant for buyers drawn to outdoor activities. Third, and perhaps most practically, there is no future rezoning risk to worry about. That's a real concern in fast-growing markets. As discussed in our post on lot selection and what to evaluate before you build, understanding what surrounds your property is one of the most underrated parts of the buying or building process.
The inland rural areas near Conway and Aynor have already been drawing buyers who want more land, more quiet, and a drivable distance to the beach — without paying oceanfront prices. Conserved land in those corridors strengthens that appeal further.
Horry County: Growth and Preservation Aren't Opposites
South Carolina is one of the most privately held states in the country. Roughly 88% of the state's approximately 20 million total acres are privately owned — below the national average of 13% publicly held land. States like Nevada (80% federal land) and Utah (65%) look very different. Here, land ownership has long been private, often passed down through families for generations.
That context makes this conservation move more significant. With so little public land in the state baseline, adding 4,600 permanently protected acres to the DNR system moves a real needle. A 2025 study found that less than 3% of U.S. land is both protected and ecologically connected — meaning it functions as actual wildlife habitat rather than isolated patches. This acquisition contributes to a national challenge as much as a local one.
It also reflects a shift in how Horry County is managing growth. The county has been investing in rural civic centers, infrastructure, and now conservation to balance the reality that explosive population growth brings pressure to develop every available parcel. The conversation isn't growth versus preservation — it's about finding a sustainable balance that keeps the area worth living in for the long term.
The area near this preserve is notable for its ecology as well. The adjacent Green Swamp region across the state line in North Carolina is considered the carnivorous plant capital of America, with 14 species of carnivorous plants in a single county — pitcher plants, sundews, bladderworts, and Venus flytraps all dependent on fire and flood habitats that these protected corridors support.
What This Means If You're Buying or Selling Near the Area
| Scenario | How the Conservation Area Affects You |
|---|---|
| Buying land near Conway or Aynor | Neighboring protected land removes rezoning risk and adds long-term buffer value |
| Building a custom home in rural Horry County | Recreational access and natural surroundings add lifestyle appeal to your investment |
| Selling property in the corridor | Conservation news supports a positive narrative about the area's long-term character |
| Relocating to the Grand Strand for outdoor lifestyle | This adds to an already strong portfolio of state parks and preserves in the area |
The inland areas of Horry County have been attracting buyers who want land, space, and a quieter pace while staying within 30 to 60 minutes of the beach. Conservation-protected neighbors make those properties more appealing — and the recreational access planned for 2027 will only strengthen that draw.
If you're weighing whether to build, buy, or invest in this part of the county, understanding what's happening around the land matters as much as the parcel itself. Our build vs. buy guide for Myrtle Beach covers the full picture of what to think through when evaluating locations in Horry County. And if outdoor living and lifestyle are driving your relocation decision, our guide to why people are moving to coastal South Carolina is worth a read as well.
If you have questions about what this conservation news means for a specific area you're considering, or you want to talk through buying, selling, or building in Horry County, get in touch with our team — we're happy to walk through it with you.
FAQ
Q: Where exactly is the 4,600-acre conservation area in Horry County? The land borders the Aynor, Conway, and Red Bluff areas of unincorporated Horry County — well inland from the beach corridor. It is timberland purchased by the Nature Conservancy from private landowners across four separate parcels. Transfer to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is planned for early 2027, at which point the land becomes permanently public conservation.
Q: When will the public be able to use the protected land? The target is 2027, when the transfer to SCDNR is expected to be complete. Activities being discussed include hiking, kayaking, fishing, biking, and hunting. Specific trail infrastructure and amenities will likely be developed in the interim period, similar to existing state parks and preserves in the area.
Q: Does conservation land nearby actually increase home values? It can. Permanently protected land removes future development uncertainty for neighboring properties — buyers know what will and won't be built next door. Properties adjacent to conservation areas, parks, and preserves often command a premium precisely because that buffer is guaranteed. In a fast-growing county like Horry, that kind of certainty is meaningful.
Q: Are there already other conservation and state park options near Myrtle Beach? Yes, several. The area already has Myrtle Beach State Park, Huntington Beach State Park, Lewis Ocean Bay Preserve, and other protected areas open to the public. This 4,600-acre acquisition adds significantly to that portfolio, particularly for the inland and rural parts of Horry County.
Q: Should this news affect my decision to buy land or build near Conway or Aynor? It's one positive factor in a broader evaluation. Conservation-protected land nearby is generally favorable for long-term property value and lifestyle quality. But as with any land purchase or build decision in Horry County, you'll also want to evaluate site-specific factors like soil conditions, drainage, flood zone status, and proximity to utilities and infrastructure. Consult with a local expert who knows that corridor specifically.
Sources
Coastal Carolinas Association of REALTORS® MLS: https://www.ccarsc.org/pages/marketstats/
Horry County Government: https://horrycountysc.gov/
SC Department of Natural Resources: https://www.dnr.sc.gov/
