PARSONS MTN LAKE
Open — Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No advance reservations. Stay limited to 14 consecutive days.
Part of the Awendaw Trail temporarily closed
Part of the Awendaw Trail from Buck Hall landing to Reverend Perry Road is temporarily closed to protect public safety while a contractor conducts forestry operations in the area.
Garlington School Road closed between FSR 366E and E91-7 (Enoree RD)
Garlington School Road is closed between FSR 366E and E91-7 for needed bridge maintenance. We will update when the bridge has been repaired.
FSR 1047 closed due to culvert failure (Enoree RD)
Forest Service Road 1047 (off Riser Road) is closed at MP 0.841 for public safety due to failed culverts. We will provide an update when the culverts have been repaired.
FSR 509 "Muckaway Rd" is closed at mileposts 2.53 & 3.01 due to a culvert failure at milepost 2.79.
FSR 509 "Muckaway Rd" on the Long Cane Ranger District is closed at mileposts 2.53 & 3.01 due to a culvert failure at milepost 2.79.
FSR 520 “White Creek Rd” is closed at MP 0.55 due to a culvert failure.
FSR 520 “White Creek Rd” on the Long Cane Ranger District is closed at MP 0.55 due to a culvert failure.
Forest Orders
Please visit the following page for current Forest Closure Orders: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/francismarionsumter/about-area/closure-orders
Forest Service Road 301 (Worthys Ferry) Closure
Until further notice, Forest Service Road 301 (Worthys Ferry) on the Enoree Ranger District will be closed between the two intersections where FSR 301 meets with FSR 301E (Feltman). Access to Worthys Bottom will remain open through FSR 301E.
Timber Harvest at Buck Hall Recreation Area Use Caution
A timber harvest will be taking place in the vicinity of Buck Hall Recreation Area starting as early as Friday, February 14th 2025. This is the first phase of the Buck Hall Recreation Area Renovation. Logging trucks will be using Buck Hall Landing Road to access the area.
Closures on Francis Marion National Forest (Litchfield/Lottie Bridges)
Assessments were conducted following Tropical Storm Debby by the Francis Marion Ranger District office, requiring an indefinite closure of the Litchfield and Lottie bridges for public and employee safety. Due to the conditions, a full assessment has not been completed.
FSR 376 Asias Branch Road closed on Enoree Ranger District
FSR 376 Asias Branch Road, located on the Enoree Ranger District, is closed due to a blown-out culvert. We will update when the road is reopened.
Candy Branch Rifle Range closed until further notice
The Candy Branch Rifle Range at Sumter National Forest's Long Cane Ranger District is closed until further notice pending safety review and maintenance.
Emergency Bridge Closure off Forest Service Rd. 251H
A Closure Order (see below) has been placed for an emergency closure of a bridge off of Forest Service Road 251H on the Francis Marion National Forest. Francis Marion & Sumter NFs, Forest-Wide Closure - Order Number: FM-14-01
FSR 374 (Hunting Fork Rd) closed
Forest Service Road 374 near Whitmire, SC (also known as Hunting Fork Road) is closed due to a washed-out pipe. We will update when the road is repaired.
Check the Call Before You Haul hotline before riding our OHV trails
All OHV trails across Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests are subject to closures on short notice due to inclement weather. Before driving to OHV trails, Call 803-561-4025 Before You Haul for the most recent trail status.
America the Beautiful passes unavailable at Supervisor's & Long Cane offices
America the Beautiful passes are temporarily not available at the Supervisor's Office. Passes are available at our other Forest Service offices in South Carolina. Call ahead to confirm availability.
Please be aware of open well hazards on Sumter National Forest
Old home sites exist across many parts of the Sumter National Forest in South Carolina. Many of these sites still include open, hand-dug wells. The Forest is working to address known well hazards. Known well sites are being signed; however, there may be wells not yet discovered.
About
Parsons Mountain Recreation Area is located in the northern portion of the Long Cane Ranger District of Sumter National Forest. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1940, the area features a 28-acre man-made lake adjacent to a 23-site campground. The recreation area offers relaxation and solitude with easy access to a variety of outdoor activities including fishing, hiking, and horseback riding. The campground provides primitive camping with each site equipped with a picnic table and fire ring. The lake is stocked with bass, catfish, and panfish, and a boat launch is available for non-motorized boats. The day use area features an accessible picnic area, earthen pier, and pedestrian bridge. Hiking trails include the Parsons Mountain Lake Trail and Parsons Mountain Tower Trail, which leads to a historic fire tower constructed by the CCC in 1935. The trails showcase the area's rich history and diverse wildlife habitat in mixed pine and hardwood forests. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations. Campers should come prepared for primitive conditions and bring adequate water supplies. The area remains relatively undeveloped, providing an authentic backcountry experience close to Abbeville.
Directions
From Anderson, travel south on Hwy 28 to the four way stop in Abbeville. Turn right and travel 3.3 miles to the intersection of Hwy 28 and Hwy 72. Continue on Hwy 28 for 2.1 miles. Turn left onto Parsons Mtn. Road (S 1-251) and travel for 1.5 miles. Entrance is on the right.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $7 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 40ft |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | Yes |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (803) 624-9471 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| Parsons Mountain Lake |
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