Parksville
J. Strom Thurmond Lake — lakeside, fishing
Location: PLUM BRANCH , SC, SC
Price: From $50 per night
Price range: $50–$125 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (2 reviews)
Season: May through October
Parksville Recreation Area is a rural park in McCormick County, South Carolina on J. It is located along South Carolina State Highway 28/221 and features 70,000 surface-acres of water and 1,000+ miles of shoreline for boating, water skiing, swimming, fishing, hiking and picnicking.Parksville Recreation Area is a wooded day-use area with two group picnic shelters. Amenities include flush toilets, drinking water, a boat ramp, dock, playground and a grassy field.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Electric Hookups, Camp Host, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/parksville to be notified when sites open up.
Parksville Recreation Area offers excellent fishing and water access on J. Strom Thurmond Lake with 70,000 surface acres and 1,000+ miles of shoreline. Campers consistently praise it as a gem with strong lagoon views, dedicated beach areas, boat ramps, and scenic picnic spots ideal for kayaking and water sports.
Wildlife alert: Coyotes present in area; also expect Red-tailed Hawks, Blue Jays, Pine Warblers, Pond Sliders, Eastern Box Turtles, and Green Anoles
Insider tips for Parksville: Book early — this is a federal campground with high demand Only 2 tent sites available; confirm availability before planning Two dedicated beach areas and multiple boat launches provide excellent water access for fishing largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and striped bass
Skip Parksville if: You need hookups — no hookups available at tent sites. You plan to camp outside May-October — seasonal operations only. You require more than 2 tent site options.
Best time to visit Parksville: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Modoc (MODOC, GA), Hawe Creek (MCCORMICK, SC), Ridge Road (APPLING, GA), Lake Springs (APPLING , GA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Parksville
Cell signal at Parksville (PLUM BRANCH , SC): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Parksville Recreation Area is a rural park in McCormick County, South Carolina on J. It is located along South Carolina State Highway 28/221 and features 70,000 surface-acres of water and 1,000+ miles of shoreline for boating, water skiing, swimming, fishing, hiking and picnicking.Parksville Recreation Area is a wooded day-use area with two group picnic shelters. Amenities include flush toilets, drinking water, a boat ramp, dock, playground and a grassy field.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with high demand
Only 2 tent sites available; confirm availability before planning
Two dedicated beach areas and multiple boat launches provide excellent water access for fishing largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and striped bass
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Located off SC-28 in Parksville, SC.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — J. Strom Thurmond Lake fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at J. Strom Thurmond Lake before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Parksville cost per night?+
What season is Parksville open?+
Does Parksville have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Parksville?+
How do I make reservations at Parksville?+
What is the cell service like at Parksville?+
What season is Parksville open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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