## Overview

 North Bend Park is located on John H. Kerr Reservoir, a 50,000-acre lake that extends 39 miles up the wooded, cove-studded shoreline of the Roanoke River in Virginia and North Carolina. North Bend is the largest park on Kerr Lake and is located near Kerr Dam and the Corps Visitor Assistance Center. Kerr Reservoir, also known as Buggs Island Lake, was created with the construction of the John H. Kerr Dam in 1952. Its 800 miles of wooded shoreline stretch across six counties and two states and offer countless recreation opportunities for visitors. 
## Recreation

 Public lands around the lake are open to hunting with appropriate state licenses. Game species include whitetail deer, wild turkey, bobwhite quail, mourning dove, gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, fox and raccoon. Resident waterfowl species include wood duck, black duck, mallard and Canadian geese. There are 26 Wildlife Management Areas around the lake that provide year-round opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, birding and more. Buggs Island, located immediately below the dam, attracts migrating bald eagles in the winter and osprey in the summer, as well as gulls, great blue herons, waterfowl and the occasional river otter. Several trails are available for hiking and biking. The 1.5-mile Liberty Nature Trail and 5.5-mile Robert Munford Trail both offer hikes within a short drive from the campground. The lake is widely known for fishing, with large-mouth bass, striped bass, crappie and flathead catfish available. Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources regulate hunting and fishing on the Virginia side of Kerr Lake. 
## Facilities

 Visitors to North Bend Park will enjoy the lakeside views and wildlife watching. More than 200 sites for tents or RVs, and amenities like hot showers, flush toilets and a dump station provide a comfortable camping experience. Each camping area has its own swim beach. North Bend Park also has a large day use area with picnic shelters and a swim beach, 3 boat launching ramps, an amphitheater, a disc golf course and a paved 1.5 mile bicycle trail. 
## Natural Features

 North Bend Park is forested and offers plenty of shade. Wildlife viewing is popular just below Kerr Dam, where waterfowl and Bald Eagles can be observed year around. This area, called Tailrace Park, has a wheelchair accessible canoe/kayak launch into the river, and is part of the Virginia Blueways Trail. 
## Nearby Attractions

 About a half-mile away, at the intersection of Mays Chapel Road and State Route 4, visitors will find the Joseph S.J. Tanner II Environmental Education Center. The center has interpretive programs and exhibits for the public from Memorial Day through Labor Day, on Saturdays and Sundays. Gas, groceries, firewood and restaurants are located within 2 miles and also within 20 minutes in Boydton and South Hill, Virginia. 
## contact\_info

 Between 04/01/2024 and 10/31/2024 this location is staffed. Please call (434) 738-0059 to speak with local staff. From 11/01/2024 to 03/31/2025 this location is unstaffed. Please call (434) 738-6143 for general information.
## Charges &amp; Cancellations

 Changing Reservations: There is no change fee if a visitor extends or shortens a reservation, as long as the change includes dates from the original reservation. Additionally, there is no change fee if the visitor wants to switch sites that are the same price with the same reservation dates in the same facility. If a visitor wants to switch dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates, there is a $10 change fee. If a reservation is made that includes dates beyond the maximum booking window, that reservation cannot be changed until 18 days have passed from the original booking date. Once a reservation date has begun, visitors cannot change a reservation using the online system or through the Call Center. Onsite staff will assist with changes or cancellations. Cancellations: Visitors may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night\'s approved rate including tax and applicable add-on. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. Visitors who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days prior to arrival date will pay a $10 service fee AND forfeit the first night\_\_\_s rate. No-Shows: A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night\'s rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Early Departures: Visitors are requested to notify staff at the facility if they depart early to allow others to use the site. If the visitor chooses to depart early, they may forfeit the approved rate and applicable tax and applicable add-on for the day of departure. If a visitor departs prior to the scheduled check-out date, they may be eligible for a partial refund. Visitors may notify the Recreation.gov call center to request a refund of remaining unused nights. If a visitor requests a refund for an early departure after the facility check-out time (3 pm) has passed, the visitor will not be refunded for that night and is eligible for a refund on any additional nights that will not be used. Refunds: Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Visitors may also initiate a refund request through the call center at any time after their reservation has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.

North Bend Park

This is a huge campground. It's not for everyone but it's great during the summer months for boat owners and watergoers alike. Plenty of beaches, big sites and, friendly people.

Been going here for years.

sites give some privacy. right on lake! They have upgraded bathhouses. able to swim from many sandy beaches around campground. great for biking and fishing from shore as well.Storms do pop up in the summer evening heat and can be quite windy...be warned~ don't leave awning up unattended! I have weathered storms there in a tent ...scary! but beautiful sunrises and sunsets. great water sports...nice beaches where you can lay out.

Beautiful Large campground -   sites are separated

The camp sItes are in great condition. bring a tarp or footprint for you tent the pads are all gravel. the sun is strong in the summer with partially shaded sites lots of sunblock. facilities are very clean and well maintained. You must purchase firewood outside of park. The lake is beautiful great for water fun with or without a boat, plenty of sandy/rocky beaches. 

Great Camping 

I have stayed here extensively, and usually come here 5-6 times per year. Though all the camping loops are great, I always stay in Loop-c as I think it is the best of the 4 loops. Huge amount of waterfront campsites, both primitive no hook-up and water &amp; electric sites. Brand new bath house and it's kept extremely clean. One the best things about the bath house, it has the usual mens &amp; ladies room, but also has six private uni-sex bath rooms with toilet, sink &amp; shower in each, There are designated swimming beaches at each of the loops, but swimming is permitted from most of the campsites, most have a sandy shore line. You can even beach your boat there and tie it out over night. There are 3 boat launches throughout the campground. Kerr Reservoir (or Buggs Island Lake at is mostly referred as) has the best Bass fishing this side of the Mississippi, and they hold Bass tournaments here on a regular basis. The lake is also one of the best place for Cat Fish in the state as well.

Best ArmyCOE campground in Virginia

We love this campground . Nice big sites and level , plenty of swimming areas around the lake.

Great weather for our trip.

Nice park, lots of room for fishing, swimming and relaxing with the family. Clean facilities and awesome staff. Not recommended for anyone looking for solitude. 

Great for the family

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.
Sites are in close proximity by pairs, but large enough not to feel cramped.
Short pathway down to the waters edge of a beautiful large lake with swimming, fishing, and boating.
Highly recommend for any individuals or groups looking for a National Park experience.

Comfy, Cozy, Close to Water

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. We wish we could have stayed longer to explore the campground more because the lake looked really beautiful and peaceful. Only downside is if you don’t have a bathroom in your rig or if you are tent camping the nearest bathroom to this site was a outhouse. There was a nicer shower and bathroom farther away that we drove to. But it wasn’t a huge deal to us. 

We loved our site! 

North Bend is beautiful. Sites right on the water!The lot was level and I didn’t feel like I was on top of my neighbors. The facilities are well maintained and they have handicap bathroom and shower stalls. I will be going back to this campground and lake! Saw eagles, ospreys, and herons daily. 

One of the best! 

We loved being able to walk to the beach. We camped at a spot right above the water, so we got to wake up to the sound of waves hitting the shoreline. Just awesome. The spots weren’t as flat as they could be, we have a rooftop tent so we have to try and get the car as level as possible. 

Awesome campground with nice lake access

Nice and quiet campground. Plenty of bugs including pesky horse flies.  We stayed at a spot that had a path down to the beach. Would stay here again.  Nice views.  Water was clear.
Some sites are on a slope so check your site first. The recreation.gov site has pictures of the lots.

Bugs galore 

Great inexpensive State park right on the Kerr Lake reservoir. Large gravel pads with fire ring, picnic table and on our site a beach where we could swim and launch our kayaks from. We are tent camping.
Other sites for tents, and RV’s have electric. Easy online reservation. 

Location Location Location

Many places to hike, bike, walk, fish &amp; relax 