History
Park Maps and Brochures:
The boat ramp at Bullocksville is currently closed due to the low lake level. If the lake continues to fall, other ramps may close this week. The John H. Kerr Reservoir elevation was 295.0' m.s.l at 8:00 am on 2/11/19.
Last updated on: Monday, February 11, 2019The 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: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
March, April, September and October: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
May – August: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
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: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
May – September: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Closed Christmas Day
Park Office
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. seven days a week
Closed Christmas Day