History
We are renovating campsites 80-103 in J.C. Cooper Campground. The work includes stump grinding, installing new campsite timbers, adding gravel and installing new fire rings. Sites in this group will be closed periodically during the process. There will be construction noise associated with this work. We apologize for any inconvenience to campers and are trying to limit work to Monday-Thursday as much as possible to avoid the busiest days in the campground.
The water level at Kerr Lake was 295.42’ m.s.l. at 9:00 am on October 10, 2017. Caution is urged when launching and operating vessels on the lake as hazards have been exposed with the low water.
The following ramps located at Kerr Lake State Recreation Area are currently closed due to low water:
- Satterwhite Point Marina Public Ramp
- Bullocksville
- Right Lane of the Hibernia Campground Ramp – Left Lane is open
Hourly lake level information can be found at http://epec.saw.usace.army.mil/roa05.htm
The Occoneechee Indians once lived in the Kerr Lake area until they were dispersed by Nathanial Bacon in 1676. Until that date, the Roanoke River was the main transportation and supply route for both Native Americans and early settlers. Constant, regular flooding of the river provided rich and productive farmland that sustained the area for generations.
The development of cities and homes along the river and the increased demand for flood control and electricity led to the construction of the John H. Kerr Reservoir, named after the North Carolina congressman instrumental in the reservoir's development. Construction of this reservoir that straddles Virginia and North Carolina began in 1946 and was completed in 1952.
The Kerr Reservoir Commission was then created to govern the North Carolina parks bordering the lake. The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation eventually took control of the seven recreation areas of the reservoir in 1975. In addition to water resource management, the reservoir provides fish and wildlife conservation, forest management and recreation.
Kerr Lake State Recreation Area
November - February: 8am - 6pm
March, April, September and October: 8am - 8pm
May - August: 8am - 9pm
Closed Christmas Day
The day use areas at Bullocksville, Henderson Point Shelter 1 and Satterwhite Point are open year-round. All other day use areas are closed late October – late March. The Henderson Point day use area for shelter 2, shelter 3 and the community building is closed late October – late March but will be opened for groups who rent the community building or the shelters.
County Line, Henderson Point, Hibernia and Nutbush have 24-hour boat ramp facilities open year-round. All other day use areas are closed and locked at park closing time.
Park Hours - Campgrounds
J.C. Cooper Campground at Satterwhite Point and Nutbush are open for camping year-round and have 24 hours access. All other campground areas are closed and locked at park closing time.
Other Campground gate hours are as follows:
March, April and October: 7am - 9pm
May - September: 7am - 10pm
Closed Christmas Day
Park Office
8am - 5pm seven days a week
Closed Christmas Day