About Palmer Point Park
Overview Palmer Point Park is located on John H. Kerr Reservoir, 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. 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. The lake is widely known for fishing, with large-mouth bass, striped bass, crappie, flathead catfish, channel catfish and blue catfish available. Virginia Dept of Wildlife Resources regulate hunting and fishing on Kerr Lake on the Virginia side (which is known as Buggs Island Lake) and North Carolina Dept of Wildlife Resources regulate hunting and fishing on Kerr Lake on the North Carolina side. Facilities Visitors to Palmer Point Park will enjoy the lakeside view. A swimming beach and picnic shelter make the campground ideal for families. There is a life jacket tree with different sized life jackets for your convience. Natural Features Palmer Point Park is a fairly open area with a few trees for shade. There is plenty of opprotunity for fishing and lots of sandy beaches for swimming. Nearby Attractions Palmer Point Park is located approximately 30 minutes from South Hill, Virginia. Shopping, gas, and groceries are available. Contact Info This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (434) 738-6143.Charges & Cancellations Changing Re
How to Get There
The physical address for Palmer Point Park is 899 Palmer Point Road, Boydton, Virginia 23917. South Hill, Virginia is located approximately 20 miles north from Palmer Point.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →What to Pack for Your Stay
Tuned to the live forecast for this park.
👔 What to Wear
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Long-sleeve shirt
Synthetic or merino, sun-protective.
- 🧥
Light shell or windbreaker
Even on warm days, wind can chill (avg wind 0 mph).
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Hiking pants or convertible
Layer for variable conditions.
- 🥾
Trail runners or low boots
Comfortable, broken in.
🎒 What to Pack
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Water
Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- 🍫
High-energy snacks
A snack for the trail.
- 🧴
Sun protection
Sunscreen, sunglasses, brimmed hat.
- 🩹
First-aid kit
Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- 🗺
Offline map
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to Palmer Point Park
Heading to Palmer Point Park? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Palmer Point Park?
No central reservation system listed for Palmer Point Park. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10103189) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Palmer Point Park?
The physical address for Palmer Point Park is 899 Palmer Point Road, Boydton, Virginia 23917. South Hill, Virginia is located approximately 20 miles north from Palmer Point.
How do I contact Palmer Point Park?
You can reach the park at phone: Visitors Center Phone Number: (434) 738-6143 or email: Location does not have its own email. Email that is open to the public is : jhkerr@usace.army.mil.
References & Official Resources
