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Pickens County, SC Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Closing time
10:00 p.m. daily, including Sunday
Reopening time
6:00 a.m.
Curfew exceptions
Boating, fishing, designated camping
Maximum fine
$200.00
Maximum jail term
30 days, or community service instead

Summary

Every public park and recreation area in unincorporated Pickens County closes at 10:00 p.m. and reopens at 6:00 a.m. under Code § 28-2. Entering or staying past closing is unlawful unless you're launching or retrieving a boat, fishing, or camping in a designated site, and violators face up to a $200.00 fine or 30 days in jail.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Pickens County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(b)All public parks located within the unincorporated areas of the county shall, except as otherwise set out, be closed from 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m., each day, including Sunday. It shall be unlawful for any person to enter or remain in such public parks and recreation areas during such closed hours; however, the hours when public parks are closed shall not apply to persons using such public parks and public recreation areas for the purpose of putting in or removing boats, using the parks for fishing or for camping in designated camping areas within the parks. ... Any person violating any section of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, entry of a plea of guilt, entry of a plea nolo contendere, or forfeiture of bail, must be fined not more than $200.00 or imprisoned for not more than 30 days.

Full Breakdown

Section 28-2 of the Pickens County Code applies to every public park and public recreation area in the unincorporated county, including the boat-parking and access areas the county maintains at Lake Jocassee, Lake Keowee, Lake Hartwell and Lake Isaqueena, though Table Rock State Park and Keowee-Toxaway State Park are carved out because the state parks, recreation and tourism commission runs those under its own rules. every day of the week, including Sunday, and it is unlawful for anyone to enter or remain inside during those closed hours.

gate closes. Beyond the curfew, § 28-2 also bars anyone from using or trying to use a fee-based park facility without paying, or staying inside a paid facility after refusing to pay. Section 28-7 layers on additional conduct rules that apply around the clock, including bans on defacing structures, harassing wildlife outside a permitted hunt, building fires outside designated spots, and operating an unmuffled or excessively loud vehicle on park roads. County council can add further rules and regulations for individual parks under § 28-5, and campsite stays are separately capped at 14 consecutive days without county permission under § 28-7(14)c.

Violations & Fines

Anyone who violates the park hours or any other provision of Chapter 28 commits a misdemeanor. Upon conviction, a guilty plea, a plea of nolo contendere, or a bail forfeiture, the court may fine the violator up to $200.00, imprison them for up to 30 days, or substitute up to 30 days of community service in place of jail time, under § 28-8.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time do Pickens County parks close?
Under § 28-2, every public park and recreation area in unincorporated Pickens County, including the lake access areas at Lake Keowee, Lake Hartwell, Lake Jocassee and Lake Isaqueena, closes at 10:00 p.m. and reopens at 6:00 a.m. daily, including Sundays; entering or staying inside during those hours without falling into an exception is unlawful.
Can I stay in a Pickens County park overnight to camp or fish?
Yes. Section 28-2(b) exempts people putting in or removing boats, fishing, and camping in a designated camping area from the general 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. closure, so those activities can continue past the posted gate hours as long as they stay within the areas set aside for them.
What's the penalty for being in a Pickens County park after hours?
Violating the park curfew is a misdemeanor under § 28-8. A conviction, guilty plea, or bail forfeiture can bring a fine of up to $200.00, up to 30 days in jail, or, at the court's discretion, up to 30 days of community service instead of jail time.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Pickens County

All Pickens County rules

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