Boydton, Virginia · Mecklenburg County · Campground
Overview North Bend 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. North Bend is the largest park on Kerr Lake and is located near Kerr Dam and the Corps Visitor Assistance Center. Kerr Reserv…
Overview North Bend 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. North Bend is the largest park on Kerr Lake and is located near Kerr Dam and the Corps Visitor Assistance Center. 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. Buggs Island, located immediately below the dam, attracts migrating bald eagles in the winter and osprey in the summer, as well as gulls, great blue herons, waterfowl and the occasional river otter. Several trails are available for hiking and biking. The 1.5-mile Liberty Nature Trail and 5.5-mile Robert Munford Trail both offer hikes within a short drive from the campground. The lake is widely known for fishing, with large-mouth bass, striped bass, crappie and flathead catfish available. Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources regulate hunting and fishing on the Virginia side of Kerr Lake. Facilities Visitors to North Bend Park will enjoy the lakeside views and wildlife watching. North Bend Park has a large day use area with picnic shelters and a swim beach, 3 boat launching ramps, an amphitheater, a disc golf course and a paved 1.5 mile bicycle trail. The OSAGE Picnic shelter is the only shelter that can be reserved. The shelter in the day use area is open to the public
Photos
Accessible picnic area — USACE accessible fishing piers — USACEInfographic about rules and regulations — USACEThis is an infographic that is sharing some important things you need to know before you reserve the shelter — USACE Accessible fishing pier and OSAGE Area — USACEOSAGE Picnic Shelter — USACE VolunteersAccessible restrooms — USACEDisc Golf — USACE
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
🛍
Dry bags for electronics
Phone, camera, and snacks should stay dry.
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 North Bend Park OSAGE Picnic Shelter
Heading to North Bend Park OSAGE 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 North Bend Park OSAGE Picnic Shelter?
No central reservation system listed for North Bend Park OSAGE Picnic Shelter. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10286337) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How many campsites are at North Bend Park OSAGE Picnic Shelter?
North Bend Park OSAGE Picnic Shelter has 1 campsites. Site amenities (hookups, vehicle limits, ADA access) vary — see the individual campsite pages for details.
How do I contact North Bend Park OSAGE Picnic Shelter?
You can reach the park at phone: North Bend Gatehouse Phone Number: 434- 738 -0059 Visitors Center Phone Number: 434- 738- 6143 or email: Location does not have its own email. Email that is open to the public is : [email protected].
