Can you reserve a site at Old Picnic Area (John H Kerr)?

Yes, Old Picnic Area (John H Kerr) is reservable through Recreation.gov.

Are pets allowed at Old Picnic Area (John H Kerr)?

Yes, pets are allowed at Old Picnic Area (John H Kerr).

Are campfires allowed at Old Picnic Area (John H Kerr)?

Campfires are not allowed at Old Picnic Area (John H Kerr).

Old Picnic Area (John H Kerr), Virginia — 1 site, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Welcome to John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir! Kerr 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, 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.

The Old Picnic Area (OPA) is a day use area open to the public but also avalible for reservations on Recreation.gov. Looking for a great view for a wedding or a large area for a reuinion? The Old Picnic Area is a great option! It has a paved parking lot and road way. There is a shelter with electricity and a water spigot located near by the shelter.

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.

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

The Old Picnic Area (OPA) has a wooden shelter with electricity for small items such as fans and lights. There is a water spigot located near the shelter. Trash cans are located all throughout the area. This area is located behind a locked gate. There is one vault toilet located within the park.

Natural Features

The Old Picnic Area (OPA) is located right next to a very sandy beach area perfect for fishing. There are trees to create shade and a clear grassy area for games for the family. Bald Eagles can be seen year round at the OPA.

Contact Info

For local information, please call (434) 738-0059 or call (434) 738-6143 for general information.

Nearby Attractions

Located right across the road, 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.

The facts

1 bookable site
1 site for day use only
Up to 150 people per site

Site types

1 Group Shelter Electric

Amenities

Electric hookups
Water hookups
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed
Campfires allowed — not available

Not recorded upstream: sewer hookups, fire pits.

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at Old Picnic Area (John H Kerr)

Check-in 08:00 AM · Check-out 09:00 PM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Water	Max rig	People
Old Picnic Area	—	Group Shelter Electric	Pull Through	Paved	Lakefront	—	150	🐾

Getting there

36.59914, -78.30526 · 36°35'56.9"N 78°18'18.9"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 92°F in Jul, down to 51°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	51	54	61	72	80	88	92	90	84	74	63	54
Low °F	29	31	37	47	57	66	70	69	62	49	39	32
Precip in	3.2	2.5	3.9	3.2	3.5	4.6	4.9	3.8	4.1	3.5	3.0	3.4

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Old Picnic Area (John H Kerr)

Can you reserve a site at Old Picnic Area (John H Kerr)?: Yes, Old Picnic Area (John H Kerr) is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Old Picnic Area (John H Kerr) have?: 1 site.
Are pets allowed at Old Picnic Area (John H Kerr)?: Yes, pets are allowed at Old Picnic Area (John H Kerr).
Does Old Picnic Area (John H Kerr) have hookups?: Electric, Water.
Are campfires allowed at Old Picnic Area (John H Kerr)?: Campfires are not allowed at Old Picnic Area (John H Kerr).

Camping near Old Picnic Area (John H Kerr)

Tailrace Park 0.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
North Bend Park OSAGE Picnic Shelter 0.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
North Bend Park 1.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Palmer Point Park 2.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Grassy Creek Park 6.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Ivy Hill Park 7.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Rudds Creek Rec. Area 8.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Rudds Creek Rec Area Picnic Shelter 8.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Island Creek Park 9.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Longwood Park Picnic Shelter 13.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Longwood Park 13.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Buffalo Park Picnic Shelter 18.5 mi · Campground · we watch it

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.

Old Picnic Area (John H Kerr)