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

North Bend Park

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.

More like this: electric hookups in Virginia · reservable in Virginia · big rigs in Virginia · pets allowed in Virginia · group sites in Virginia

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
This is an infographic that is explaining the steps that need to be completed before you go to your campsite.NBP Area C PlaygroundcampsiteNBP DUA Playground
Photos courtesy of USACE · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard with electric131
Standard, no hookups101
group standard electric2
Host/management13
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 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

234 sites in 4 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteLoopTypeEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadePowerWater / sewerWaterfrontPeople / vehiclesFiresAccessible
001AStandardBack-in30GravelPartialNo8 / 3Yes
002AStandardBack-in30GravelPartialNo8 / 3Yes
003AStandardBack-in30GravelPartialNo8 / 3Yes
004AStandardBack-in30GravelPartialNo8 / 3Yes
005AStandardBack-in10GravelPartialNo8 / 3Yes
006AStandardBack-in25GravelPartialNo8 / 3Yes
007AStandardBack-in25GravelPartialNo8 / 3Yes
008AStandardBack-in25GravelPartialNo8 / 3Yes
009AStandardBack-in30GravelPartialNo8 / 3Yes
010AStandardBack-in30GravelPartialNo8 / 3Yes

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 length50 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
Tent padsYes
AccessibilitySites 125, 126 are listed accessible

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.

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

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near North Bend Park30°40°50°60°70°80°90°January: 3.16 inches of precipitationFebruary: 2.48 inches of precipitationMarch: 3.86 inches of precipitationApril: 3.21 inches of precipitationMay: 3.50 inches of precipitationJune: 4.57 inches of precipitationJuly: 4.91 inches of precipitationAugust: 3.82 inches of precipitationSeptember: 4.08 inches of precipitationOctober: 3.47 inches of precipitationNovember: 3.02 inches of precipitationDecember: 3.43 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 39.6°F averageFebruary: 42.4°F averageMarch: 49.2°F averageApril: 59.4°F averageMay: 68.4°F averageJune: 76.7°F averageJuly: 81.1°F averageAugust: 79.3°F averageSeptember: 72.9°F averageOctober: 61.1°F averageNovember: 50.7°F averageDecember: 42.9°F average0 in1 in2 in3 in4 in5 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at John H Kerr Dam, 2 miles from the campground at 250 feet, station USC00444414 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 44 inches a year.

Getting there

The physical address for North Bend Park: 64 North Bend Drive, Boydton VA 23917. It is located approximately 20 miles west of South Hill, VA.

Nearest townBoydton, Virginia
Coordinates36.5883° N, 78.3258° 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 ↗0.4 mi
RV sales & serviceStream RV ↗38 mi
Outdoor gearHunter's Haven ↗47.4 mi

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

Explore

Video

North Bend Campground Review

Worth a stop

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.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

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.

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.

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 North Bend Park?

Sites at North Bend 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 North Bend Park?

Check-in 4:00 PM, checkout 02:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

What does it cost to cancel a reservation at North Bend 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 North Bend Park have?

247 sites, including 131 standard sites with power, 101 standard sites without power, and 2 group standard electric.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at North Bend Park?

The longest site here provides 50 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 North Bend Park have hookups?

Yes, electric and water hookups at some sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there showers or a dump station at North Bend Park?

More than 200 sites for tents or RVs, and amenities like hot showers, flush toilets and a dump station provide a comfortable camping experience.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at North Bend Park?

Yes, pets are allowed at North Bend Park. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at North Bend Park?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there accessible sites at North Bend Park?

Sites 125 and 126 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 there cell service at North Bend Park?

FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G and AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.

Source: FCC Broadband Map

What is there to do at North Bend 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