Army Corps of Engineers · John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir · Boydton, VA

Buffalo Park

Buffalo Park is a small day use and campground park, located on John H. Kerr Reservoir. The campground is open May 1 - September 30. The Day Use Park is open year-around. Kerr, also known as Buggs Island Lake, is a 50,000-acre lake that extends 39 miles up the wooded, cove-studded shoreline of the Roanoke River in Virginia and North Carolina. Kerr Reservoir was created with the construction of the John H. Kerr Dam in 1952. Its 800 miles of wooded shoreline stretch across six counties in two states and offer countless recreation opportunities for visitors.

More like this: electric hookups in Virginia · reservable in Virginia · big rigs in Virginia · pets allowed in Virginia · dark sky in Virginia

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Infographic on steps that need to be completed before you go to your campsite.Buffalo Park Boat RampBuffalo Park CampsiteBuffalo Park Playground
Photos courtesy of USACE · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard with electric11
Standard, no hookups10
Host/management1
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

21 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteLoopTypeEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadePowerWater / sewerWaterfrontPeople / vehiclesFiresAccessibleRating
12LLOOElectricPull-through40GravelPartial50 ampYes / –8 / 3YesStandard
13LLOOElectricBack-in20GravelPartial50 ampYes / –8 / 3YesStandard
14LLOOElectricBack-in30GravelPartial50 ampYes / –8 / 3YesStandard
15LLOOElectricBack-in25GravelPartial50 ampYes / –8 / 3YesStandard
18LLOOElectricBack-in35PavedPartial50 ampYes / –8 / 3YesYesStandard
19LLOOElectricBack-in35PavedPartial50 ampYes / –8 / 3YesYesStandard
17DLLOOElectricBack-in40GravelPartial50 ampYes / –16 / 5YesStandard
01RLOOElectricBack-in40GravelPartial50 ampYes / –8 / 3YesStandard
02RLOOElectricBack-in35GravelPartial50 ampYes / –8 / 3YesStandard
03RLOOElectricBack-in30GravelFull50 ampYes / –8 / 3YesStandard

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 4:00 PM, checkout 02:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsElectric, water
Max vehicle length40 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
Dark sky4 miles from Staunton River State Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park
AccessibilitySites 18, 19 are listed accessible

Visitors to Buffalo Park will enjoy the lakeside views and the quaint park. The campground has 21 sites: 11 shady electric sites (1 is a double) and 10 primitive sites in an open field. Primitive sites are small with limited shade. Two of the electric sites are paved and are accessible. Amenities include "family-style" individual restrooms with hot showers, sink and flush toilets. Park has a small dump station. Park has a swim beach, picnic shelter, and a boat ramp.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Buffalo Park30°40°50°60°70°80°January: 3.30 inches of precipitation, 1.9 inches of snowFebruary: 2.87 inches of precipitation, 1.1 inches of snowMarch: 3.85 inches of precipitation, 0.3 inches of snowApril: 3.47 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowMay: 4.61 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJune: 5.19 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 4.37 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 3.29 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 4.76 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 3.76 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowNovember: 3.24 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowDecember: 3.59 inches of precipitation, 0.4 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 39.3°F averageFebruary: 42.2°F averageMarch: 49.5°F averageApril: 59.0°F averageMay: 67.3°F averageJune: 75.2°F averageJuly: 79.6°F averageAugust: 77.7°F averageSeptember: 71.9°F averageOctober: 60.4°F averageNovember: 50.3°F averageDecember: 42.5°F average0 in2 in4 in6 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Clarksville, 5 miles from the campground at 330 feet, station USC00441746 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 46 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 4 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

The physical address for Buffalo Park is: 5199 Carter's Point Road, Buffalo Junction, VA 24529. It is located approximately 10 miles west of Clarksville, VA.

Nearest townBoydton, Virginia
Coordinates36.6619° N, 78.6314° W · Directions ↗

Charges and 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 af
  • 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.

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗6.2 mi
RV sales & serviceBlue Compass RV ↗36.1 mi
Outdoor gearYonderlust ↗48.2 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Buffalo River State Park Campground Tour & Review | Best Camping Near Fargo North Dako

Worth a stop

Buffalo Springs Park is on the Virginia State and National Historic Sites, and is located approximately 7 miles from Buffalo Park. Once a world-renowned source of bottled lithia waters, the little park now offers a picnic pavilion and solitude. People still get their water from the fountain there. Gas and groceries are available in Clarksville, Virginia, about 15 minutes away. Clarksville holds the distinction of being the only town on Kerr (Buggs Island) Lake.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

Kerr Reservoir has approximately 48,000 acres of hardwood and pine forest and 50,000 acres of water. Buffalo Park has both shady sites and open field sites. The picnic shelter in the park has a spectacular view of the lake, where the Roanoke (Staunton) River meets the Dan.

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. The Army Corps of Engineers manages 26 Wildlife Management Areas around the lake that provide year-round opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, birding and more. Kerr Lake is widely known for fishing, with large-mouth bass, striped bass, crappie and catfish caught. Fishing and hunting are regulated by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries on the Virginia side of the lake.

Guidebooks for Virginia

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Best Tent Camping: Virginia
    Randy Porter, 2018
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Camping Virginia and West Virginia
    Desiree Smith-Daughety, 2013
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Best tent camping
    Johnny Molloy, 2014
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Buffalo Park?

Sites at Buffalo Park are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Buffalo Park?

Check-in 08:00 AM, checkout 10:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Buffalo Park?

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.

Source: Charges and cancellations

How many sites does Buffalo Park have?

22 sites, including 11 standard sites with power and 10 standard sites without power.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Buffalo Park?

The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Does Buffalo Park have hookups?

Yes, electric and water hookups at some sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there showers or a dump station at Buffalo Park?

Amenities include "family-style" individual restrooms with hot showers, sink and flush toilets.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Buffalo Park?

Yes, pets are allowed at Buffalo Park. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Buffalo Park?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there accessible sites at Buffalo Park?

Sites 18 and 19 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is Buffalo Park good for stargazing?

Staunton River State Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park, is 4 miles away. Skies that dark carry for miles; a moonless night here should show the Milky Way.

Source: DarkSky International

What is there to do at Buffalo Park?

Public lands around the lake are open to hunting with appropriate state licenses. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation