Outbound Collective logo

North Bend Park

Boydton, Virginia

Book this listing through our partner Recreation Gov

About North Bend Park

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 at 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 Game and Inland Fisheries 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, 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.

North Bend Park Reviews

North Bend Park does not disappoint. The geography and open skies over John Kerr reservoir regularly make for spectacular sunsets, with beautifully changing and intensifying hues. Herons, hawks, loons and anhingas, and even bald eagles are commonly spotted. The facilities are adequate, with multiple private showers, and kept very clean. The staff are friendly. Electric and non-electric sites make this a great return destination for tents and campers, small to large. The layout provides cul de sacs that give privacy and easy access to the water for swimming and boating. Boat launches draw lots of fishermen. Kids love the multiple swimming areas and playground, and they can be seen riding their bikes around the main areas. This is easily a family favorite!

Top Spots in or near Boydton

Neuse River Trail

Wake Forest, North Carolina
5.0
27.38 mi / 1306 ft gain

Blue Dot and Falls Lake Loop

Wake Forest, North Carolina
5.0
0.93 mi / 102 ft gain

Durant Nature Preserve Border Loop

Raleigh, North Carolina
5.0
2.56 mi / 384 ft gain

High Bridge

Farmville, Virginia
5.0
2 mi

Cabe Lands Trail and Eno Quarry Loop

Durham, North Carolina
4.7
2.25 mi / 364 ft gain

Sal's Branch Trail

Raleigh, North Carolina
5.0
2.55 mi / 331 ft gain

Camping and Lodging in Boydton

Rudds Creek Rec. Ar.
Boydton, Virginia

Rudds Creek Rec. Ar.

Longwood Park
Clarksville, Virginia

Longwood Park

Enfield / Rocky Mount KOA Journey
Enfield, North Carolina

Enfield / Rocky Mount KOA Journey

Unfortunately, we don't have up-to date pricing data for this listing, but you can check pricing through Recreation Gov.

Book Now

Add your business today to reach The Outbound's audience of adventurous travelers.