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Camping near John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir

377 Reviews

Camping at John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir spans multiple established campgrounds across Virginia and North Carolina, with North Bend Park and Rudds Creek Recreation Area offering both tent and RV sites with varying levels of amenities. The region includes waterfront camping options with sandy beaches, swimming areas, and boat launches, making it popular for water recreation. Most campgrounds provide electric and water hookups, while some feature full sewer connections for RVs, along with facilities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms.

Access to campgrounds around Kerr Lake (also called Buggs Island Lake) remains available year-round at some locations, though many operate seasonally from March or April through October. Most sites require reservations, particularly waterfront locations which fill quickly during summer months. Gravel pads are common at tent sites, so campers should bring appropriate footprint or tarp protection. The region experiences hot summers with occasional evening storms, and insects can be prevalent during warmer months. As one camper noted, "Nice and quiet campground. Plenty of bugs including pesky horse flies... The water was clear."

Waterfront camping represents the primary draw of the Kerr Lake area, with multiple campgrounds offering direct lake access for swimming, fishing, and boating. North Bend Park receives consistently high ratings for its spacious lakefront sites that include sandy beaches where visitors can swim directly from their campsite. The campgrounds feature varying terrain, with some sites situated on slopes requiring careful selection for RVs or vans. Campers highlight the quality of fishing, particularly for bass and catfish, along with wildlife viewing opportunities. "We love this campground. Nice big sites and level, plenty of swimming areas around the lake," reported one visitor. Several campgrounds offer family-friendly amenities including playgrounds, hiking trails, and biking paths, making the area suitable for multi-day stays.

Map showing campgrounds near John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir, VirginiaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir (49)

    1. North Bend Park

    20 Reviews
    Boydton, VA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (434) 738-0059

    $24 - $125 / night

    "Site 206; Loop D Great site in a National Park on a lake with easy shore access from pad. Clean and spacious. Stayed from Sunday thru Tuesday in mid-August."

    "I loved the lakefront location in back of C loop and that it was 2 tiered which made the site very private with a lower level table, fire-ring, and gravel site. Well maintained campground."

    2. Kimball Point Campground — Kerr Lake State Recreation Area

    14 Reviews
    Boydton, VA
    4 miles
    +1 (252) 438-7791

    $27 - $77 / night

    "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"

    "The majority of spots are water front or close to it. Many of have easy access to a beach. The lake is very clean, unlike some other lakes in NC, and absolutely beautiful sunrise or sunset."

    3. Occoneechee State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Clarksville, VA
    12 miles
    Website

    "If you have dogs like we do that hate squirrels they drove them nuts- squirrels running around in our campsite and up trees in our campsite. And while walking around."

    "It’s a 3BR/2BA spacious cabin, wooded and lakeside. Great sunsets and nice big deck (some areas of the porch are covered, and have rocking chairs)."

    4. J.C. Cooper Campground — Kerr Lake State Recreation Area

    20 Reviews
    Henderson, NC
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 438-7791

    $27 - $177 / night

    "The site was near the water with very nice lake views right from the tent. Great for swimming, kayaking, SUP, and other water activities."

    "Enjoy the lake. Enjoy sitting around a camp fire. Enjoy walking to the bath house in the rain. Enjoy."

    5. Hibernia Campground — Kerr Lake State Recreation Area

    14 Reviews
    Boydton, VA
    7 miles
    +1 (252) 438-7791

    $27 - $112 / night

    "My biggest complaint is the location of the trash dumpsters is very close to the bath house and campsites in this loop and the smell was not pleasant."

    "Lakeside camping in a tent is great when fishing and being next to the rods. Level sites, can get flooded after heavy rains as I found out."

    6. COE John H Kerr Reservoir North Bend Park

    9 Reviews
    Boydton, VA
    0 miles
    Website

    $75 / night

    "Close to restrooms and walkable distance to showers. Beach area is clean and they provide a few life vest. Playground by showers is handy with kids. Shaded and clean sites. Highly recommend."

    "In the adjacent loop, 136 is a spacious, long easy back-in and near the water."

    7. Henderson Point Campground — Kerr Lake State Recreation Area

    9 Reviews
    Boydton, VA
    5 miles
    +1 (252) 438-7791

    $27 - $77 / night

    "I’ve been to Henderson Point on Kerr Lake multiple times now, and it’s never disappointed! Stayed at sites 16 and 18, and both are great!"

    "The only complaints would be that the bathrooms are kind of far from this site (I never actually went but imagine a good 5 minute walk) and the dump station is about a mile away."

    8. Rudds Creek Campground

    10 Reviews
    Boydton, VA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 738-6827

    $24 - $68 / night

    "The exception to this is people putting old rugs or carpet around the shore where the park their boats."

    "The bathrooms were very clean and an easy walk from our campsite. The map showed bathrooms in our loop but there wasn't anything there. Had to walk to the showers but not too far."

    9. Nutbush Bridge Campground — Kerr Lake State Recreation Area

    10 Reviews
    Henderson, NC
    14 miles
    +1 (252) 438-7791

    $27 - $77 / night

    "The site is directly on the lake. Mere steps from your door. Beautiful view on the adjacent shoreline and bridge. Rocky shoreline. Easy to back in. I only have 2 complaints."

    "Not my favorite campground within the Kerr Lake State Park but still a nice campground. The staff could give a little more attention to the bath house cleaning."

    10. Bullocksville Campground — Kerr Lake State Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Henderson, NC
    10 miles
    +1 (252) 438-7791

    $27 - $77 / night

    "Tucked away in the lush, verdant forests north of Raleigh, here at Bullocksville Park, you’ll discover camping and cabin grounds that are just a short hike from the nearby Lake Kerr, but far enough away"

    "Great tent campsite close to water and boat launch on Kerr Lake. The shower rooms are very clean."

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Recent Camping Photos near John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir

139 Photos of 49 John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir

377 Reviews of 49 John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir Campgrounds

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 4, 2025

    Butner lake WMA

    Sketchy

    When I pulled up, there was a large, unattended RV with 4 aggressive dogs in a cage outside. A couple other camps gave a sketchy vibe, and they were all close together. We bailed.

  • Brian B.
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Twin Lakes State Park Campground

    Very close together …

    This time we were in a tent, but I’m glad we only stayed one night. I do have to say that the lakes were nice. The swimming was OK and the facilities were decent.

    We went camping as a group and we held four campsites. The proximity was not a super big problem given that it was a group.

  • Brian B.
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Occoneechee State Park Campground

    Epic Cabin Retreat

    Went there with my family in March over spring break. Can’t say this was exactly camping the way we did it, but the cabin was absolutely amazing. Each cabin is probably on a 2 acre plot of land and most of them have fantastic views of Kerr Reservoir.

    Kitchens are nicely appointed, rooms are nicely decorated, just bring your own sheets and linens and get ready for a fantastic time.

  • Harry B.
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Occoneechee State Park Campground

    Decent Campground Iron Bow

    Decent bathhouse on Iron Bow. Sites are really close together and narrow so doesn’t leave a lot of room between campers. Not terrible but also have had stayed at more spacious state park campsites. 7$ bundles for firewood for sale near the bathhouse. The Visitor center is nice with some good souvenirs for purchase and history section. Plenty of spots for fishing and launching watercraft. No designated swimming areas though. No WiFi. Verizon device at the campground worked okay. Clarksville town is quaint with some shops worth checking.

  • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    B.W. Wells — Falls Lake State Recreation Area

    Family Friendly Campground

    B.W. Wells Campground at Falls Lake felt like stepping into a quiet forest hideaway, where the kids could explore trails, spot eagles over the water, and watch butterflies while we enjoyed campfires under the trees. It’s strictly hike-in and tent-only, so we had to pack light and plan carefully, but the trade-off was true peace and space to connect without the noise of RVs or busy roads. With shaded group sites, fire pits, picnic tables, nearby restrooms, and lake access perfect for paddling or fishing, it offered a rustic yet rewarding experience that was still close enough to Wake Forest for a quick meal or supply run when we needed it.

  • Donnelle The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Butner lake WMA

    Be Advised!

    All Campers MUST have a fishers/hunters license. Rangers wrote us a warning ticket for not having our own, but we are headed to Walmart to get one for about $30

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Holly Point — Falls Lake State Recreation Area

    Great campground

    The North Carolina State Park campgrounds are typically very nice, and this one is no exception. My site is adjacent to a large, clean, working bathhouse and a 2 minute walk from a swim beach.

    My cell reception outside the camper is excellent, and of if I had a cell booster it would be adequate for streaming inside the camper. I don’t have one as I depend on Starlink for internet access when traveling. Unfortunately Starlink isn’t going to work in my specific site or in most of the others. This is a wooded campground and all the sites are completely shaded

    My site has water and electric. About half of the available RV sites have water and electric, it there is no sewer. There is a dump station in the campground. Unusual for NC State facilities, there are no trash bins placed around the campground, but there is a large dumpster station co-located with the dump station.

    It’s about a 15-20 minute drive to shopping, but there are several convenience stores a few minutes away.

    The campground is clean and well maintained. It meanders around a very large lake, with several beaches and boat launch areas.

  • S
    Aug. 14, 2025

    Hibernia Campground — Kerr Lake State Recreation Area

    One of our favorite places!

    Hibernia, on Kerr lake is a wonderful campground with plenty of easy access to the lake. We chose site 77 because it was in full shade with nice lake views. There's a cove with a sandy beach and clear water just steps away. Our kids enjoyed hours of time swimming and floating on rafts. Super clean restrooms and showers are just 2 minutes from our site.

    Note: Site 77 required 75 feet of hose to reach water nozzle. Website said 35' so glad we were prepared.

Guide to John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir

Camping near John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir, Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful lakeside views and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Fishing: The area is great for fishing. At Rudds Creek Campground, one camper mentioned, "Sites are huge, great camp site and fishing right off the camp site in many sites." This makes it a perfect spot for anglers.
  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Staunton River State Park Campground. A visitor shared, "They have nice walking trails & if you like to paddle, the river is nice & flat." It’s a great way to enjoy nature.
  • Boating: If you enjoy being on the water, North Bend Park offers excellent access to boating. One reviewer noted, "The sites at North bend are far superior than other campgrounds in the area."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms. At Kerr Lake State Recreation Area Kimball Point, a visitor said, "The restrooms were immaculate and the staff was courteous."
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer plenty of space between sites. A camper at J.C. Cooper — Kerr Lake State Recreation Area mentioned, "Spacious sites with plenty of separation between sites, well kept, and quiet even though it was packed."
  • Beautiful views: Campers love the scenic beauty. One reviewer at Hibernia — Kerr Lake State Recreation Area said, "For some reason, site 100 requires 100ft of hose to get to the water hookup. Never seen one so far, and all other sites appeared to be 25ft or less."

What you should know:

  • No sewer hookups: Many campgrounds, like Rudds Creek Campground, do not offer sewer hookups. A camper noted, "First off, no sewer. Just power and water."
  • Cell service can be spotty: If you rely on your phone, be aware that service may not be great. A visitor at Nutbush Bridge — Kerr Lake State Recreation Area mentioned, "There is little to no AT&T cellular, T-Mobile works great."
  • First-come, first-served sites: Some campgrounds, like Nutbush Bridge, operate on a first-come, first-served basis. A camper shared, "Sites are not bookable so its first come first served and you can just choose the site that suits you best."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds. At Occoneechee State Park Campground, a reviewer said, "We spent an afternoon at the splash pad, which is a great way to cool off in the summer."
  • Participate in park programs: Many parks offer family-friendly programs. A visitor at Staunton River State Park Campground mentioned, "They had smores around the fire on a Friday night."
  • Plan for quiet time: Choose campgrounds that are known for being peaceful. A camper at Medoc Mountain State Park Campground noted, "It was a quiet campground."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site levels: Some sites may not be level, so check reviews before booking. A visitor at North Bend Park said, "Most of the sites looked pretty level."
  • Be prepared for tight turns: If you're bringing a larger rig, be aware of the layout. A camper at Medoc Mountain State Park Campground mentioned, "Some of the pull through sites don't accommodate large trailers due to tight turns."
  • Bring extra hoses: If you need water, some sites may require longer hoses. A camper at Kerr Lake State Recreation Area Kimball Point noted, "My only gripe is that not every site has its own water."

Camping near John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir, Virginia, has something for everyone, from fishing and hiking to family-friendly activities and RV tips. Enjoy your outdoor adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir?

According to TheDyrt.com, John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir offers a wide range of camping options, with 49 campgrounds and RV parks near John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir is North Bend Park with a 4.8-star rating from 20 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir?

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