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South Carolina › McCormick County › Parksville › J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir

J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir

Parksville, South Carolina — McCormick County.

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67,891Surface acres (whole lake)
26Public access sites

Surface area: The USGS National Hydrography Dataset outline (NHD Permanent ID {A0769C58-15EC-4164-91C7-47F1648F9243}, 3 mapped parts); shared with Georgia, acreage is the whole lake.

Location & fast facts

Where J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir is in South Carolina

The red circle marks J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir.

Fast facts

About J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir

  • County: McCormick
  • City or town on the shore: Parksville
  • Mapped as: Reservoir (USGS National Hydrography Dataset)
  • Shared with: Georgia. The surface acreage shown is the whole lake; about 32% of the mapped water is in South Carolina.
  • Distance: about 73 mi from Greenville and 74 mi from Columbia, straight-line (not driving distance)

Towns and counties: U.S. Census Bureau boundaries overlaid on the USGS lake outline (South Carolina: incorporated places touching the lake, otherwise the nearest one).

Fishing in South Carolina

Official SCDNR pages. Rules and fees change; check before you go.

Good for & watch for

Good for

  • Boating. 26 public trailer launches listed (see access)
  • Camping. 14 campgrounds within 15 mi, 12 on the shore (list)

Watch for

  • Non-native/invasive species. Whorled hydrilla, Wandering hydrilla and Common water-hyacinth recorded. Clean, drain and dry your boat and gear.
  • Boat traffic. A public trailer launch means motorboats share the water; expect more traffic on summer weekends.

Built only from the data on this page: official access lists, OpenStreetMap beaches and trails, campground listings, state and USGS invasive-species records. We don't rate crowds or water quality.

Lake map

J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir shoreline, boat launches & beaches

Modoc Campground (campground)Petersburg Campground (campground)Ridge Road Campground (campground)Winfield Campground (campground)Baker Creek State Park Campground (campground)Hester's Bottoms Family Campground (campground)Hickory Knob Campground (campground)Camping Municipal (campground)Elijah Clark Campground (campground)Holliday Park Campground (campground)Primitive walk-in campsite (campground)Wildwood Camping Area 1 (campground)Boat ramp (Boat launch)1Boat ramp (Boat launch)2Boat ramp (Boat launch)3Boat ramp (Boat launch)4Boat ramp (Boat launch)5Boat ramp (Boat launch)6Boat ramp (Boat launch)7Boat ramp (Boat launch)8Boat ramp (Boat launch)9Boat ramp (Boat launch)10Boat ramp (Boat launch)11Boat ramp (Boat launch)12Boat ramp (Boat launch)13Boat ramp (Boat launch)14Boat ramp (Boat launch)15Boat ramp (Boat launch)16Boat ramp (Boat launch)17Boat ramp (Boat launch)18Boat ramp (Boat launch)19Boat ramp (Boat launch)20Boat ramp (Boat launch)21Boat ramp (Boat launch)22Boat ramp (Boat launch)23Boat ramp (Boat launch)24Catfish Bay Ramp (Boat launch)25Dartmouth Ramp (Boat launch)261 mileN

Numbers on the map match the list at rightbelow.

Boat launch Campground
  1. 1Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  2. 2Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  3. 3Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  4. 4Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  5. 5Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  6. 6Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  7. 7Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  8. 8Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  9. 9Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  10. 10Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  11. 11Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  12. 12Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  13. 13Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  14. 14Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  15. 15Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  16. 16Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  17. 17Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  18. 18Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  19. 19Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  20. 20Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  21. 21Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  22. 22Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  23. 23Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  24. 24Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  25. 25Catfish Bay Ramp
    Boat launch
  26. 26Dartmouth Ramp
    Boat launch

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD Waterbody, Permanent ID {A0769C58-15EC-4164-91C7-47F1648F9243}, plus 2 more mapped parts), public domain. State outline: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb. Points: OpenStreetMap boat ramps (no statewide agency ramp layer used) and OpenStreetMap boat ramps (ODbL). Interactive map: Leaflet with © OpenStreetMap contributors. Not for navigation.

Campgrounds near J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir

We found 14 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles of J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir, 12 of them within 5 miles. 12 are right on the shore. Distances are straight-line from the nearest point on the shoreline, so driving distance is longer.

8 more within 15 miles

All campgrounds & RV parks in South Carolina

Green tent icons on the lake map mark campgrounds near the shore, and the interactive map shows the closest 12. Amenities are listed only where a source records them; call or check the campground's website before you go, since seasons and rates change every year.

Campground data: Recreation.gov (RIDB) · OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Pulled Oct 12, 2026.

Nearest airports

The closest airport with scheduled passenger flights to J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir, plus larger airports within about 150 miles:

Car rental links go to our partner Discover Cars; LakeRipple may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.

Airports with scheduled airline service from OurAirports (large and medium airports); larger airports are FAA large, medium and small hubs by FAA CY2025 enplanements ("major airport" = FAA large hub). Distances are straight-line from the lake's center, not driving distance; road routes are longer.

Conditions right now

Air temperature & conditions (nearest NWS station)Loading…
Fetching the latest National Weather Service observation…

Live from the National Weather Service API for the lake's coordinates (33.8006, -82.2969). The nearest station may be several miles away. NWS forecast for J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir. No live water-temperature sensor is shown because we haven't found a public one for this lake.

Sun, moon & best fishing times

Sun & moon at J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir

Best fishing times

Major periodMinor periodDaylight

    Based on solunar theory, an estimate. Major periods (about 2 hours) center on when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot; minor periods (about 1 hour) center on moonrise and moonset. The 0–100 activity score rises during those periods and gets a boost near sunrise and sunset and around the new and full moon. Weather, water temperature and pressure often matter more. Sun and moon times are calculated in your browser from the lake's coordinates with standard astronomy formulas, shown in ET (America/New_York), and accurate to within a few minutes.

    Boat launches & access sites

    26 public access sites listed, 26 with a boat ramp or trailer launch.

    SiteTownOwnerTypeParkingFeeUsesMap
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.7333, -82.2272
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.6807, -82.2015
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.9342, -82.3929
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.7794, -82.2219
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.8700, -82.3596
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.7963, -82.2606
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.8863, -82.3682
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.7432, -82.2177
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.7531, -82.2317
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.6753, -82.1890
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.9990, -82.5676
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.6659, -82.2358
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.9616, -82.3904
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.9499, -82.4299
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.9503, -82.4287
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.7870, -82.2680
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.7183, -82.2247
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.8438, -82.3454
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.8827, -82.4285
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.9200, -82.4897
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.9039, -82.4708
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.8946, -82.3813
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.8777, -82.3616
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.9730, -82.5763
    Catfish Bay Ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.7677, -82.2108
    Dartmouth Ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.9580, -82.5339

    OpenStreetMap boat ramps (no statewide agency ramp layer used) and OpenStreetMap boat ramps (ODbL)

    Fees, hours and rules change; confirm with the site owner before you go.

    Non-native/invasive species

    Reported on or near J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir

    Clean, Drain, Dry. Remove plants and mud, drain all water, and dry your boat, trailer and gear before moving to another water.

    USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database

    USGS records matched to this water by location (within about 150 m of the outline) or by the place name in the record. A record shows a sighting was reported; it doesn't prove the species is still there. As of Oct 10, 2026.

    Contact & official info

    Questions about J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir

    How big is J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir?

    J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir covers about 67,891 acres in Parksville, South Carolina (McCormick County).

    Is there a public boat launch on J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir?

    Yes. 26 public trailer launches are listed: Boat ramp, Boat ramp and Boat ramp. Check posted fees and parking rules.

    Are there campgrounds near J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir?

    Yes. We list 14 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles, 12 of them within 5 miles.

    What towns are on J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir?

    J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir touches Parksville in McCormick County, South Carolina.

    Share a tip or fishing report

    Know J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir? Tell us about the launch, parking, where they're biting or anything a first-time visitor should know. Tips go privately to the LakeRipple editor; nothing is posted automatically. Helpful tips may be featured on this page (we'll use your first name only if you give one).

    Lakes & ponds nearby

    Straight-line distance between lake centers. All South Carolina lakes & ponds · All waters in Parksville