Campgrounds near Boydton, Virginia cluster around Kerr Reservoir, a 50,000-acre lake with over 800 miles of shoreline across Virginia and North Carolina. The area features red clay and sandy shorelines with modest elevation changes. Water levels can fluctuate considerably throughout the year, with beaches expanding during late summer when water levels drop by as much as 15 feet from spring highs.
What to do
Stargazing after dark: Staunton River State Park, located about 30 minutes from Boydton, is designated as an International Dark Sky Park. "The park is an International Dark sky and there are two telescopes that can be checked out for free at the visitor's center. While staying there I saw a skunk, a groundhog, several deer and a great variety of birds," explains one visitor to Staunton River State Park Campground.
Paddling in coves: The protected inlets around Kimball Point offer calm waters ideal for beginning paddlers. "We were on site #75, right on the shore line. Several sites are waterfront. The water is very clear! You can see probably about 5-6 feet down," notes a camper at Kimball Point Campground.
Boat access camping: Many campsites allow boats to be beached directly at your site overnight. At Rudds Creek Campground, "Best part, you can beach your boats/kayaks right up to your site and nobody bothers your stuff. Lots of space between water access spots. There's extra parking at the campsites for cars and boat trailers."
Bass fishing opportunities: Kerr Reservoir is nationally recognized for trophy bass fishing. Tournaments are held regularly throughout the spring and summer. "Fishing around the campsite was great; not hard to catch fish there!" reports a Rudds Creek camper. Another mentions, "People fishing at the Dam getting huge catfish."
What campers like
Multi-level campsites: Several campgrounds feature unique terraced sites that provide both shade and water access. "We only stayed a night because we were just passing through but we really liked our site #59. There was plenty of room for our 31ft airstream and had a neat large second level part to our site with a picnic table and fire pit," notes a visitor to North Bend Park.
Private beaches: Many waterfront sites include small sandy or pebbly areas for swimming and boat access. "Our site was a back-in and pretty level with only a slight decline as you move toward the rear. The view was absolutely gorgeous. East facing, the semi private beach was easily accessible and only maybe 50ft from the site," shares a camper at Henderson Point Campground.
Spacious sites: Unlike more crowded lakefront destinations, many Kerr Lake campgrounds offer generous spacing between sites. "Sites are big and somewhat wooded. Not a campground where it's one on top of each other which is nice... especially with dogs!" explains a visitor to Hibernia Campground.
Hot showers year-round: Campers consistently mention the quality of bathroom facilities. "Bathrooms are within walking distance from all campsites. Ours was a bit of a walk uphill but not bad. Nice clean, hot showers!" notes a Staunton River visitor. At Henderson Point, one camper was impressed by "bathrooms that are some of the best I've ever seen! Super spacious showers, everything seemed newer and was very well cleaned/maintained."
What you should know
Limited amenities nearby: Most campgrounds are remote with few services close by. "It's in the middle of 'nowhere'. An old general store is 5 min away (sells firewood, basic food items, some camping/rv supplies and some souvenirs like tshirts & hats)," notes a Kimball Point camper who adds "The closest gas station is 11 min away in the opposite direction of the general store."
Tent pad surfaces vary: Many campsites have gravel pads which may require additional equipment for tent campers. At North Bend Park, one camper advises: "The camp sites are in great condition. Bring a tarp or footprint for you tent the pads are all gravel."
Water hookup logistics: Several campgrounds require longer-than-standard hoses for RV hookups. A camper at Henderson Point notes, "Site #29 and had great sunset views over the water. NOTE - to bring at least 75 feet of water hose, as some sites have long runs from in front of camper."
Steep site grades: Some campgrounds feature significant elevation changes that may challenge large RVs. A visitor to J.C. Cooper Campground cautions: "Be warned that the sites vary pretty widely in size and grade. We have a 32' travel trailer that fit in spot 65 with no problem but there were many more that we could not fit in because of the steep grades."
Tips for camping with families
Best swimming areas: Look for campgrounds with gentle entry points into the lake. "My kids loved this place, we stayed in site 77. Basically 100ft to the water, sites are not on top of each other," reports a Kimball Point visitor. Another camper at Henderson Point noted "the red mud is so much easier to wash off than kids than sand!"
Playground access: Several campgrounds include play areas for children. At Occoneechee State Park Campground, "There's a large playground and easy walking trails. The central bathhouses have showers, flush toilets, and utility sinks; the smaller bathrooms in the loops are open pit toilets with no sinks."
Kid-friendly activities: Beyond swimming and playground time, many campgrounds offer organized programming. "We had a great weekend here. Enjoyed outdoor movie on Friday. Park rangers had great kids programs including animal feeding frenzy where we learned about snakes and turtles," shares a Staunton River visitor.
Bike-friendly terrain: Many loops provide safe areas for kids to ride. "The gkids brought their bikes and loved riding around the park. It was rather empty since it was still technically winter," notes a Staunton River camper. Another visitor to Rudds Creek notes, "The roads within the campground offer a great walking experience as well as bicycle riding opportunity. Lots of kids riding bikes."
Tips from RVers
Seasonal considerations: The primary camping season runs April through October, with some facilities open year-round. "We were there on a beautiful chilly clear night and the sky and stars were amazing!" shares a winter visitor to Staunton River State Park.
Leveling challenges: Many waterfront sites require substantial leveling. A J.C. Cooper camper advises, "Many sites are really best suited for tents (which would be excellent sites) while others are open for Class As."
Site research: Check campground websites carefully as many sites have restrictions that aren't obvious. "Many of the lots are marked as tent OR RV which I guess they are but we would probably not boondock here again as it isn't flat but the RV sites look amazing," notes a camper at Kimball Point.
Utility requirements: Pack extra-long power cords and water hoses. "It was a back-in site, but you couldn't quite back in far because of trees and roots, so a longer electric line and water hose is a must," advises a Kimball Point visitor.
