About Longwood Park Picnic Shelter
Overview Longwood Park Picnic Shelter 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 and flathead catfish available. Viriginia Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries regulate hunting and fishing on Kerr Lake on the Virginia side (which is known as Buggs Island Lake). Facilities Visitors to Longwood Park Day Use Ara will enjoy the lakeside view. The picnic shelter is located right next to the water. There is a desingated swimming area with a nice sandy beach. There is also a life jacket loaner station that you can borrow and return life jackets if you forgot yours. Natural Features Longwood Park is forested and offers plenty of shade. It is located on the Grassy Creek part of Kerr Reservoir. Nearby Attractions Longwood Park is located only 10 minutes from Clarksville, Virginia. Shopping, gas, and groceries are available. Clarksville Marina is about 15 minutes away by highway; approximately 30 minutes by water.
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.
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High-energy snacks
A snack for the trail.
- 🧴
Sun protection
Sunscreen, sunglasses, brimmed hat.
- 🩹
First-aid kit
Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
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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 Longwood Park Picnic Shelter
Heading to Longwood Park Picnic Shelter? 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 Longwood Park Picnic Shelter?
No central reservation system listed for Longwood Park Picnic Shelter. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10286335) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I contact Longwood Park Picnic Shelter?
You can reach the park at phone: Longwood Campground Phone Number: (434) 374-2711 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
