Ecology
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
- open year-round
-
Visitor center hours:
- 8:00am to 5:00pm
daily
- 8:00am to 5:00pm
- Day-use areas and visitor center closed on Christmas Day.
20 Shoreline Lane
Henderson, NC 27537
GPS: 36.4411, -78.3688
-
Campground open year-round with 24-hour gate access.
- Campground closed on Christmas Day.
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
- open year-round
-
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.
- Operating season schedule
- 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.
- Operating season schedule
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
- open year-round
-
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
- open late March to early October and follow day-use hours listed above
-
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.
- Operating season schedule
- 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
- open late March to early October
-
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.
- Operating season schedule
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
- open late March to early October
-
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.
- Operating season schedule
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
- open late March to early October
-
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
Natural resources
Get plant and animal checklists at the park office.
Much of the land that makes up Kerr Lake State Recreation Area is covered by forests in various stages of regrowth that follow the farming and timbering practices of the past. The forests found at Kerr Lake are typical of those found elsewhere in the Piedmont of North Carolina. Pine stands are dominated by loblolly pines. In hardwood forest areas, various oak and hickory species, tulip poplars, sweetgums, maples, American beech and dogwoods are commonly found.
In drainage areas and along the shoreline, willows, river birch and alder are found. Also found in these areas are buttonbush and rose mallow.
Many types of mammals live around Kerr Lake. Mammals such as white-tailed deer, raccoons, Virginia opossums, gray foxes, red foxes, cottontail rabbits and gray squirrels are common in the woods and along the shore. Beavers, muskrats and a few river otters make their homes at Kerr Lake as well. Many of these creatures are secretive and not often seen by park visitors.
There are several species of amphibians and reptiles in the area. Frogs, toads, turtles, lizards and snakes are all found here. Most snakes found at Kerr Lake State Recreation Area are harmless. Generally, snakes found in the water are non-venomous water snakes. There is one species, the copperhead, which is venomous and lives on parkland.
Bird species are too numerous to list completely, but representative species are typical of the Carolina Piedmont. Songbirds include indigo buntings, red-eyed vireos, northern cardinals, prairie warblers, eastern kingbirds and Carolina chickadees. Many birds of prey also reside here. Red-tailed hawks, red-shoulder hawks, ospreys and eagles are all seen soaring overhead. Barred owls, great-horned owls and screech owls are often heard under the cover of darkness. Wading birds such as great blue herons and egrets can be found along the shoreline as they hunt for fish in the shallows. Other "fishermen" found above and on the lake include the belted kingfisher and double crested cormorant. In the winter, the common loon and pied billed grebe can also be observed at the lake. Additionally, Canada geese and mallard ducks are frequently seen on the water and along the shore.
Park Maps and Brochures:
