Camping near W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir

W Kerr Scott Dam Reservoir in North Carolina has several camping options for visitors. The recreation area gives you good water views and lets you fish, boat, or swim right from your campsite. W Kerr Scott Dam Reservoir City Park Campground has basic facilities including clean restrooms and spots to have meals outdoors. You can take day trips to the Blue Ridge Mountains or Great Smoky Mountains if you want to hike different trails. The North Carolina National Forest areas near the water tend to be quieter and more basic if you prefer fewer neighbors. Most camping areas have decent roads, but a few of the remote spots might need trucks or SUVs to reach. The Appalachian Trail isn't too far away if you want to try sections of this famous long-distance path. Weather varies a lot - summer camping means high temps and humidity, while winter campers should pack extra layers. The surrounding forests and lake views make this a place many campers return to year after year. The reservoir has both RV-friendly sites with hookups and simple tent spots depending on what kind of camping you prefer.

Best Camping Sites Near W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir (217)

    1. COE W Kerr Scott Reservoir Bandits Roost Campground

    18 Reviews
    Wilkesboro, NC
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 921-3190

    $20 - $85 / night

    "Swimming, kayaking, boat launch, small hiking trail. Sites have a fire pit, picnic table (it’s really heavy!) and a grill. I loved how each site is fairly unique."

    "My wife and I biked/ ran the trails nearby. Our dogs loved walking around the campground. Some nice wooded tent sites that a very large areas. Our spot was a two level site."

    2. Stone Mountain State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Roaring Gap, NC
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 957-8185

    $17 - $72 / night

    "But, ya know North Carolina summers."

    "The site also had a huge area for the picnic table and the fire ring is far away from your camper. There was a huge grassy area behind our site with a creek, lots of space for our dog."

    3. Warrior Creek

    11 Reviews
    Purlear, NC
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 921-2177

    $22 - $85 / night

    "Warrior Creek Campground is located on the Kerr Scott Reservoir. It's beautiful and peaceful, at least Monday through Friday."

    "Super mt bike trails that have been built and maintained by volunteers who really care and ride the trails often."

    4. Fort Hamby Park

    9 Reviews
    Purlear, NC
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 973-0104

    $30 - $125 / night

    "Lake was gorgeous! Absolutely the easiest and cleanest dump station we have ever used! Well designed! Close to Willesboro!"

    "There is a dumpsite near the front office. A short drive from campsite is a man-made beach with lake swimming area… very nice."

    5. Moravian Falls Family Campground

    7 Reviews
    Moravian Falls, NC
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 667-6150

    6. Thousand Trails Green Mountain

    18 Reviews
    Lenoir, NC
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "We had a deck at our site which was a but problematic due to our steps folding out, it took some finagling and leveling to get it to where we could close our door."

    "This is our first time ever camping and this place feels like home away from home and everyone here is very friendly."

    7. Julian Price Park Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

    47 Reviews
    Blowing Rock, NC
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 963-5911

    $30 / night

    "Julian Price Park is a beautiful campground just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. We enjoy this campground on the weekends throughout the fall and spring as it is less occupied."

    "This campground is on a beautiful lake. There is no swimming on the lake(its pretty shallow) but awesome for kayaking and paddleboarding."

    8. Stoney Fork Campground

    3 Reviews
    Purlear, NC
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 973-5299

    "It's right on a creek and it was lovely to drink morning coffee next to the water."

    9. Wagoner — New River State Park

    17 Reviews
    Jefferson, NC
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (336) 982-2587

    $27 - $72 / night

    "You have to walk in but the park provides little carts and wheelbarrows. The sites and the bathhouse are very well maintained. The park host, Tom Keller, was just fantastic."

    "We were too far away from the water to walk, so we missed out on that, which we were looking forward to, but overall a really nice experience."

    10. Self Sufficient Holler

    1 Review
    Moravian Falls, NC
    5 miles

    $40 - $200 / night

    "What a magical experience floating in the trees surrounded by fire flies! Elizabeth and Mark were exceptional hosts. There is so much to do on property, and they are working on more!"

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Recent Reviews near W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir

1191 Reviews of 217 W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir Campgrounds


  • Theresa S.
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Lake Haven Family Campground

    Stayed for the location, Left because of the owners

    As a retired Air Force couple with over five years of experience as full-time RVers, we have stayed at countless campgrounds across the country. We selected Lake Haven for an extended stay this past July while searching for a permanent home in the Lake Watauga area, drawn by its advertisement for year-round availability. The location is excellent, and our site was level with full hookups, a nice picnic table, and a fire pit. Maneuvering into the spot was also straightforward, despite some large boulders. Two concerns: no owners or host(s) onsite and the entrance/exits can be quite dangerous- each located on a curve. We really wanted to love this campground, but the positive aspects were completely overshadowed by the unprofessional behavior of the owners. The tone was set when we received a campground-wide text message asking“Please, for our sake, when away from your camper, set your AC temp to something reasonable(75 is what I use at my house when not home), to help us save on electricity”. While we understand the concern for costs, the request felt invasive. Then it got personal. In the first week of August, our daughter and her family were renting the on-site(3 bed/3 bath) Airbnb, and after she inquired about more toilet paper, one of the owners came to our RV site to confront us about it. We were shocked that a necessity for a rental guest was treated as a major issue, and the confrontational approach was completely uncalled for and made us feel extremely uncomfortable. To make matters worse, we later learned from other campers that the owners had been gossiping about our family and our stay. This was a major violation of our privacy and fostered a deeply unwelcoming atmosphere. While the physical campground has potential, we cannot recommend it. Feeling safe and respected is essential when you are camping, and due to the owners’ intrusive and unprofessional behavior, we decided to seek out another campground.

  • Gary S.
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Lake Haven Family Campground

    Stayed for the Location, Left because of the Owners

    As a retired Air Force couple with over five years of experience as full-time RVers, we have stayed at countless campgrounds across the country. We selected Lake Haven for an extended stay this past July while searching for a permanent home in the Lake Watauga area, drawn by its advertisement for year-round availability. The location is excellent, and our site was level with full hookups, a nice picnic table, and a fire pit. Maneuvering into the spot was also straightforward, despite some large boulders. Two concerns: no owners or host(s) onsite and the entrance/exits can be quite dangerous- each located on a curve. We really wanted to love this campground, but the positive aspects were completely overshadowed by the unprofessional behavior of the owners. The tone was set when we received a campground-wide text message asking“Please, for our sake, when away from your camper, set your AC temp to something reasonable(75 is what I use at my house when not home), to help us save on electricity”. While we understand the concern for costs, the request felt invasive. Then it got personal. In the first week of August, our daughter and her family were renting the on-site(3 bed/3 bath) Airbnb, and after she inquired about more toilet paper, one of the owners came to our RV site to confront us about it. We were shocked that a necessity for a rental guest was treated as a major issue, and the confrontational approach was completely uncalled for and made us feel extremely uncomfortable. To make matters worse, we later learned from other campers that the owners had been gossiping about our family and our stay. This was a major violation of our privacy and fostered a deeply unwelcoming atmosphere. While the physical campground has potential, we cannot recommend it. Feeling safe and respected is essential when you are camping, and due to the owners’ intrusive and unprofessional behavior, we decided to seek out another campground.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Old NC 105 Dispersed

    Amazing views and Free camping

    This place is amazing, Free and clean campsites.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Upper Creek, Pisgah National Forest NC

    Good spot!

    Spent two nights here at a site right next to the creek, which was awesome listening to the running water as you fall asleep. Easy to get to, just a forest service road. A 4x4 makes it easy but there were minivans and junkyard beaters driving by. There are multiple sites along the service road and not too close to each other.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Old NC 105 - Dispersed Camping

    Great spot!

    This is a great spot along a mountain ridge. The dirt road goes for about 13 miles. Would recommend a 4x4, but I’ve seen all kinds of vehicles travel the entire road from minivans to Honda accords. There are plenty of spots to choose from. Some have great views of the valley and table top mountain and others are just nooks in the woods. The sites are pretty spread out but there are a few within shouting distance (which could be annoying if the site next to you decides to bring a battery powered Sawzall to cut firewood at 2am). Some sites are right off of the road which could get annoying from all the traffic of people going to the hiking trails nearby. And there are spots tucked away a bit off of the road where you really don’t notice trucks and cars driving by. Awesome place for a weekend getaway! Definitely going to visit again.

    P.S. only 4 stars because there are only about 3-5 sites with a great view!

  • xGYABx L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites

    Great Getaway and stay

    We spent 1 night out here on a Saturday Night it is very secluded away from everything only downside was had 2 drive at least 10 miles 2 get cell service and the site is close 2 the road so we can hear a lot of traffic

  • D
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Fancy Gap-Blue Ridge Parkway KOA

    Awesome KOA!

    My family and I stayed here for a few days. The campground is beautiful. All of the staff members that we encountered were super friendly. We ordered campground room service from Daves Smokehouse which was excellent and arrived very quickly. The campground is very well maintained and clean. The wifi was great at our site. AT&T cell service was not so good though. This KOA is very close to Blue Ridge Parkway, Fancy Gap Pottery & Fabric Outlet , as well as the Fancy Gap Old Country store. Our stay was very peaceful and relaxing, If we go back to the area we will definitely stay here again.

  • madison F.
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Cobble Hill RV Campground (Formerly) Carolina Rose

    good stop & stay

    campground being remodeled so bathhouses were a little walk away but not too inconvenient. pool was also closed for now BUT overall cute location. did park on site 59 (pull through) but was SUPER unlevel. cute pond and amphitheater too! has laundry as well.

    coolest part about this spot is that it’s about a 10 min drive into Catawba college town which was a super nice area for us being younger. perfect mix of Boulder & Philly :)

    hosts were SUPER friendly and nice :)

  • Lanna M.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Love Valley Campground

    Clean

    Probably the second cleanest campground I had ever been to


Guide to W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir

Camping near W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir, North Carolina, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With beautiful scenery and a variety of campgrounds, it’s a perfect spot for families, RVers, and nature lovers alike.

What to do:

  • Fishing: The reservoir is known for its fishing opportunities. One camper at COE W Kerr Scott Reservoir Bandits Roost Campground said, "We had water & electric and there is a dump station onsite. We sat in our chairs in the water & enjoyed the quiet beach."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails around the area. A visitor at Grandfather Mountain Campground mentioned, "The hiking, the views, the bridge, the animal habitat, the list goes on and on… Highly recommend this state park!"
  • Swimming: Enjoy a refreshing swim at the beach area near the campground. A reviewer noted at COE W Kerr Scott Reservoir Bandits Roost Campground, "The swimming area at the lake is nice with white sand. It stays pretty shallow in the roped-in part, so great for kids."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One visitor at Lake Norman State Park Campground said, "The bathhouse was an unexpected luxury and was immaculately maintained through the park service."
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A camper at Blue Bear Mountain Camp mentioned, "This place was awesome. Private but well equipped with all the necessities you need."
  • Friendly staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. A review from Honey Bear Campground noted, "The campground was extremely helpful and kind."

What you should know:

  • Noise from the interstate: Some campgrounds are close to busy roads. A visitor at Statesville RV Park I-77 mentioned, "You will hear the road 24/7 due to proximity of the interstate but it's convenient to run chores or pull during your travel."
  • Limited amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A camper at Julian Price Park Campground pointed out, "There are no showers, but the sites are clean and well-maintained."
  • Seasonal closures: Some campgrounds have specific open seasons. For example, Honey Bear Campground is open from March 15 to October 31.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose shaded sites: Look for campsites with trees for shade. A family at Lake Norman State Park Campground enjoyed, "The tent pad was super spacious and made of gravel. There was also a picnic bench, fire pit, and a lantern pole."
  • Plan for activities: Bring games and outdoor gear. A parent at Green Mountain Park shared, "The parks were well kept for the kids, and there’s even a scavenger hunt set up in the permanent residence lots for kiddos."
  • Keep an eye on pets: Many campgrounds are pet-friendly, but always check the rules. A visitor at COE W Kerr Scott Reservoir Bandits Roost Campground noted, "They have a pole there to hold your pets while setting up."

Tips from RVers:

  • Level your site: Some sites may not be perfectly level. A reviewer at Statesville RV Park I-77 mentioned, "The site was not even close to level. Recent blacktop not properly compressed."
  • Check for hookups: Make sure your site has the necessary hookups. A camper at Lake Norman State Park Campground said, "RV sites are paved, with a picnic table and fire ring on a compacted gravel base next to each site."
  • Be prepared for bugs: Some areas can be buggy, especially in summer. A visitor at COE W Kerr Scott Reservoir Bandits Roost Campground noted, "We went in summer and it was SUPER buggy."

Camping near W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir, North Carolina, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for adventure or a peaceful getaway.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping options are available at W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir?

W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir offers several camping options to suit different preferences. Warrior Creek provides drive-in and walk-in sites with water and toilet facilities. The campground is reservable and accommodates big rigs. Another option is Fort Hamby Park near Wilkesboro, which features drive-in sites with toilets and is also big-rig friendly. Both campgrounds require reservations and offer scenic views of the reservoir. The area provides a mix of developed campgrounds with amenities and more rustic options for those seeking a quieter experience in North Carolina's beautiful Wilkes County.

What facilities are available at Warrior Creek Campground on Kerr Scott Reservoir?

Warrior Creek Campground offers well-maintained facilities including modern restrooms with hot showers, flush toilets, and drinking water. The campground features spacious drive-in sites with electric hookups (30/50 amp), picnic tables, and fire rings. Many sites offer beautiful views of the reservoir. Amenities include a dump station, playground, boat ramp, and access to hiking and mountain biking trails. Similar to Moravian Falls Family Campground in the region, Warrior Creek is family-friendly with clean facilities. The campground is reservable online, and sites can accommodate both tents and RVs, including big rigs. The surrounding area offers excellent recreation opportunities with easy access to the water.

Are boat rentals available at W. Kerr Scott Lake?

Yes, boat rentals are available at W. Kerr Scott Lake during the regular season. The marina offers various watercraft options including pontoon boats, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. This makes the lake accessible for visitors who don't bring their own boats. For those camping nearby, Stone Mountain State Park Campground is within driving distance and offers beautiful, quiet sites that make a good base for lake activities. Rental rates vary by season and watercraft type, with hourly and daily options available. It's recommended to call ahead during off-peak seasons to confirm availability and current rental hours.