Kerr Lake and Buggs Island Lake form the backdrop for Clarksville camping, covering 50,000 acres along the Virginia-North Carolina border. The region maintains moderate temperatures from spring through fall, with summer highs typically reaching the upper 80s. Campgrounds near Clarksville offer sites on lake peninsulas and in wooded areas, with seasonal water levels that can fluctuate by several feet depending on rainfall and dam operations.
What to do
Stargazing sessions: Staunton River State Park Campground offers exceptional night sky viewing as an International Dark Sky Park. "The park has been recognized as International Dark sky and there are two telescopes that can be checked out for free at the visitor's center," notes Elena B. Even during colder months, the views remain spectacular: "We were there on a beautiful chilly clear night and the sky and stars were amazing!"
Fishing expeditions: Kimball Point Campground provides multiple fishing piers and clear water visibility. "The water is very clear! You can see probably about 5-6 feet down," reports Jess. The campground features numerous spots for shore fishing along its peninsula location, with sandy beaches for easy water access.
Historical exploration: While staying at Occoneechee State Park Campground, explore the Plantation Trail with historical markers. "We hiked the Plantation Trail, a large historical site that was once a homestead...with a cemetery, historical markers, and an old chimney," shares RL. The trail features remnants of early settlements that predate the formation of the lake.
Water recreation: Bullocksville Park offers multiple ways to enjoy the lake. "Great tent campsite close to water and boat launch on Kerr Lake," notes Mike C. The park includes boat ramps, swimming areas, and shoreline access points scattered throughout several independent campground sites.
What campers like
Waterfront camping sites: At Kimball Point Campground, most sites offer water views or direct lake access. "We camped lake side at Kimball Point on Kerr Lake. Nice site and views, very quiet great for relaxing fishing and watching the stars at night," shares Andy K. The campground's peninsula layout maximizes waterfront access with numerous sites directly on the shore.
Clean facilities: Twin Lakes State Park Campground maintains well-kept bathhouses. "Bathhouses were updated and meticulously looked after," mentions Stacey H. The central location of facilities makes them accessible from most campsites, with consistent maintenance throughout the camping season.
Seasonal swimming: Staunton River State Park Campground offers swimming options beyond the lake. "The pool here is amazing and it's a designated star watching area," reports Carrie A. This provides an alternative to lake swimming, particularly during periods when lake levels fluctuate or water clarity changes.
Privacy between sites: Occoneechee State Park Campground offers well-spaced yurt accommodations. "The yurts...have excellent 'backyard' wooded views! There's also a good bit of space between them. Lots of porch space, too," notes RL. Certain camping loops provide more separation between sites than others, with the wooded sites offering more privacy than the waterfront areas.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Securing prime lakefront sites requires advance planning. "Kimball Point is the BEST... Only negative it's hard to book a space. You need to book it EXACTLY 6 months out, call at 08:00 in morning," advises Steven D. Popular waterfront sites at most area campgrounds fill 6-11 months in advance, especially for summer weekends and holidays.
Site terrain variations: Many campgrounds feature uneven sites requiring careful selection. At Hyco Lake State Park, "A lot of them are sloped. Very hard to level out a RV," reports Danielle W. Similarly, at Kimball Point, "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."
Hookup limitations: Campgrounds offer varying levels of services for RVs and trailers. "Not every site has its own water. I had run 60ft water hose to the next site over," explains Adam B. about Kimball Point. At Twin Lakes, "All RV sites have H2O and electric," but sewer connections are limited throughout the region, with most campgrounds offering dump stations instead.
Weather considerations for yurt camping: Without climate control, yurts can become uncomfortable during extreme temperatures. Yurts at Occoneechee and Twin Lakes State Parks work best during moderate weather seasons, as they rely on natural ventilation rather than air conditioning or heating systems.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Twin Lakes State Park Campground offers child-friendly amenities beyond swimming. "They have a large playground for the kids and the roads are good for bike riding," explains Jennifer G. The campground's compact layout makes it easy for kids to navigate between activity areas safely.
Beach activities: Hyco Lake provides dedicated swimming areas for children. "Nice swim area, nice roads but the sites could use some updating," notes Danielle W. The designated beach areas include shallow water zones appropriate for younger children with sandy shorelines for play.
Rental equipment: Staunton River State Park offers gear for various activities. "The park offers rentals of telescopes too. They also have a nature learning lab, some cool animals, and a fantastic gift shop," shares Bridget H. The availability of equipment rentals reduces what families need to transport to the campground.
Educational programs: Many campgrounds offer ranger-led activities for children. "The rangers had great kids programs including animal feeding frenzy where we learned about snakes and turtles," reports Katie at Staunton River. Program schedules vary seasonally, with more options available during summer and holiday weekends.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: At Bullocksville Park, take time to evaluate sites before settling. "Very happy I drove around first before reserving a site. Not all sites are flat and some are very hard to drive into," advises Jeff K. Many campgrounds permit drive-through inspection before registration, which helps identify sites suitable for specific RV lengths and configurations.
Hookup placements: Check hookup locations when selecting sites. At Kimball Point, "Hookups on wrong side," mentions Lisa D., which can require extension cords or longer hoses. Some sites require additional equipment to reach water and electrical connections positioned for different RV layouts.
Access considerations: Callahan's Hideaway offers big-rig friendly sites near water access. "Very nice place to walk and lots of sight seeing close by and short walk or drive to the water," notes Brett C. For larger rigs, entrance road conditions and turning radiuses vary significantly between campgrounds in the region.
