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Fishing in the mist at Kerr Lake State Recreation Area
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Activities

Hiking

The park is a great place for a hike! See the Trails page for more information.

Accessible Facilities

Persons with disabilities will find access to a wide range of recreational facilities at Kerr Lake. All paved parking lots have special spaces available, and the restrooms and shower houses are also accessible. The Bullocksville and Henderson Point areas offer accessible fishing piers, and accessible camping sites are available at all camping areas. Accessible picnic areas are available at Bullocksville, Satterwhite Point and Henderson Point, and our community buildings are barrier free. Rangers can guide you to facilities best suited to your needs.

Boating

Enjoy boating throughout the year. Each recreation area has one or more concrete boat-launching ramps. County Line, Henderson Point, Hibernia and Nutbush recreation areas provide 24-hour access to the water.

There are five boat ramps located within Kerr Lake State Recreation Area that offer 24-hour access. The N.C Division of Parks and Recreation operates two 24-hour boat ramps at Nutbush. County Line, Henderson Point and Hibernia each have one 24-hour boat ramp operated by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. All other boat ramps within Kerr Lake State Recreation Area are open during park hours, and visitors must exit the park before the park's closing time. Boating facilities with courtesy docks, which are open during park hours are located at Bullocksville, Henderson Point, Hibernia and Kimball Point. J. C. Cooper Campground at Satterwhite Point offers a boat ramp and courtesy dock for campers only.

Other public ramps are operated on Kerr Lake outside of Kerr Lake State Recreation Area. In addition to the three ramps operated by The NC Wildlife Resources Commission inside our areas, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission also operates Flemingtown Access Area located at the end of Flemingtown Rd. The US Army Corps of Engineers and Virgina State Parks each operate boat ramps on the Virginia portion of Kerr Lake.

Sailing: Prevailing winds offer ideal conditions for sailing enthusiasts. County Line, Henderson Point and Kimball Point have expansive bodies of water particularly well-suited for sailing. Sudden wind changes and large waves are not unusual, so cautious seamanship is advised.

Two commercial marinas, Steele Creek Marina and Satterwhite Point Marina, are open year round and offer fuel, mooring, slips, service and supplies. Distances and shorelines may be deceiving to the navigator who is unfamiliar with the lake. The Uniform Waterway Marker System has been installed for your safety. Obey all buoys and markers.

Check lake water levels at the US Army Corps of Engineers website.

Fishing

One of the best fishing lakes in the eastern United States, Kerr Lake features striped bass, largemouth bass, white perch, crappie, and catfish. Fish from a boat, the shoreline or from the piers at Bullocksville and Henderson Point. The pier at Henderson Point is open 24 hours per day.

Swimming

There are many popular swimming locations along the shore at Kerr Lake. In addition, Satterwhite Point has a defined swimming area with accessible change rooms and restrooms.

There are no lifeguards on duty. Closely supervise children at all times and outfit them with personal flotation devices when they are in or near the water. Personal flotation devices are available for loan at Satterwhite Point, Henderson Point, Hibernia and Kimball Point.

Picnicking

Choose from more than 300 picnic tables and 11 covered picnic shelters with access to the lakeshore and boat ramps. Shelters vary in size and have from four to six tables. The shelters have running water and are free of charge unless reservations are requested. The shelters can be reserved through our central reservation system.

 

Map of North Carolina

 

Contact

252-438-7791

kerr.lake@ncparks.gov

 

Addresses and hours

Click each access below to view its address and its operating schedule and hours for day-use, boat ramp and/or campground facilities.
6254 Satterwhite Point Road
Henderson, NC 27537
GPS: 36.4411, -78.3688

 

  • Day-use area:

    • open year-round
       
    • November to February:
      8:00am to 6:00pm
       
    • March to April:
      8:00am to 8:00pm
       
    • May to August:
      8:00am to 9:00pm
       
    • September to October:
      8:00am to 8:00pm

​

  • Visitor center hours:

    • 8:00am to 5:00pm
      ​daily

 

  • Day-use areas and visitor center closed on Christmas Day.
     
20 Shoreline Lane
Henderson, NC 27537
GPS: 36.4411, -78.3688

 

3050 Bullocksville Park Rd
Manson, NC 27553
GPS: 36.4577, -78.3631

 

  • Day-use area:

    • open year-round
       
    • November to February:
      8:00am to 6:00pm
       
    • March to April:
      8:00am to 8:00pm
       
    • May to August:
      8:00am to 9:00pm
       
    • September to October:
      8:00am to 8:00pm

​

  • Boat ramp open year-round and follow day-use hours listed above.
     

  • Campground:

    • Operating season schedule
       
    • March to April:
      7:00am to 9:00pm
       
    • May to September:
      7:00am to 10:00pm
       
    • Please note: Campground gates open and lock promptly at the posted times. No entry or exit is permitted before or after posted gate hours, except for law enforcement or medical emergencies.

 

  • Day-use area closed on Christmas Day.
     
200 County Line Park Road
Manson, NC 27553
GPS: 36.5247, -78.3163

 

  • Boat ramp open year-round with 24-hour access.
     

  • Campground:

    • Operating season schedule
       
    • March to April:
      7:00am to 9:00pm
       
    • May to September:
      7:00am to 10:00pm
       
    • Please note: Campground gates open and lock promptly at the posted times. No entry or exit is permitted before or after posted gate hours, except for law enforcement or medical emergencies.

 

1427 Reverend Henderson Rd
Henderson, NC 27537
GPS: 36.5312, -78.3461

 

  • Shelter 1:

    • open year-round
       
    • November to February:
      8:00am to 6:00pm
       
    • March to April:
      8:00am to 8:00pm
       
    • May to August:
      8:00am to 9:00pm
       
    • September to October:
      8:00am to 8:00pm

 

  • Shelter 2 and 3 and
    community building:

    • open late March to early October and follow day-use hours listed above
       
    • year-round access for rentals

 

  • Boat ramp open year-round with 24-hour access.
     

  • Campground:

    • Operating season schedule
       
    • March to April:
      7:00am to 9:00pm
       
    • May to September:
      7:00am to 10:00pm
       
    • Please note: Campground gates open and lock promptly at the posted times. No entry or exit is permitted before or after posted gate hours, except for law enforcement or medical emergencies.

 

  • Day-use areas closed on Christmas Day.
     
2041 Hibernia Road
Henderson, NC 27537
GPS: 36.5047, -78.3761

 

  • Day-use area:

    • open late March to early October
       
    • March to April:
      8:00am to 8:00pm
       
    • May to August:
      8:00am to 9:00pm
       
    • September to October:
      8:00am to 8:00pm

 

  • Boat ramp open year-round with 24-hour access.
     

  • Campground:

    • Operating season schedule
       
    • March to April:
      7:00am to 9:00pm
       
    • May to September:
      7:00am to 10:00pm
       
    • October:
      7:00am to 9:00pm
       
    • November:
      7:00am to 8:00pm
       
    • Please note: Campground gates open and lock promptly at the posted times. No entry or exit is permitted before or after posted gate hours, except for law enforcement or medical emergencies.

 

460 Kimball Point Road
Manson, NC 27553
GPS: 36.5367, -78.3099

 

  • Day-use area:

    • open late March to early October
       
    • March to April:
      8:00am to 8:00pm
       
    • May to August:
      8:00am to 9:00pm
       
    • September to October:
      8:00am to 8:00pm

 

  • Boat ramp open late March to early October and follow day-use hours listed above.
     

  • Campground:

    • Operating season schedule
       
    • March to April:
      7:00am to 9:00pm
       
    • May to September:
      7:00am to 10:00pm
       
    • October:
      7:00am to 9:00pm
       
    • Please note: Campground gates open and lock promptly at the posted times. No entry or exit is permitted before or after posted gate hours, except for law enforcement or medical emergencies.

 

North entrance
115 Jack Wade Farm Lane
Henderson, NC 27537
South entrance
135 Jack Wade Farm Lane
Henderson, NC 27537
GPS: 36.4100, -78.3991

 

  • Day-use area:

    • open late March to early October
       
    • March to April:
      8:00am to 8:00pm
       
    • May to August:
      8:00am to 9:00pm
       
    • September to October:
      8:00am to 8:00pm

 

  • Boat ramp open year-round with 24-hour access.
     

  • Campground open year-round with 24-hour gate access.

  • Campgrounds closed on Christmas Day.
     
 
     » 2019 operating season schedule