North Bend Park Osage Picnic Shelter
John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir
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.
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.
Need to Know
If you have reserved the shelter and it is already occupied the day of your reservation, please call North Bend Campground at 434.738.0059. Keep in mind that you are reserving the shelter only.
Vehicle parking first come first served. Shelter reservation holders are reserving the shelter only and are not guaranteed parking due to the area being open to the public.
All vehicles entering the day use area are required to pay the $7 day use fee including those who have rented the shelter for the day. You can purchase a day use pass by using the fee machine. If you would like to purchase in advance, please speak to the gatehouse or call the Visitor Assistance Center at 434.738.6143. Please see rules below if you have an America the Beautiful, Golden Age/Access, or Corps Annual Pass.
This shelter does have electricity and a water spigot.
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all recreation areas.
Off-road vehicles and golf carts are prohibited.
Dogs are allowed but must stay on a maximum 6-foot leash.
Golden Age/Access, America the Beautiful Interagency Senior and Access Passes and the Corps Annual Pass are accepted at this park and cardholders receive free entrance to the day use area only and not the campground. Passes must be displayed correctly.
For a full list of rules and regulations please visit Title 36 Rules and Regulations .
Please read through the fees and cancelation policy for Recreation.gov.
Natural Features
North Bend Park is forested and offers plenty of shade. The shelter is shaded and near an accessible fishing pier and restrooms.
Wildlife viewing is popular just below Kerr Dam, where waterfowl and Bald Eagles can be observed year around. This area, called Tailrace Park, has a wheelchair accessible canoe/kayak launch into the river, and is part of the Virginia Blueways Trail.
Nearby Attractions
About a half-mile away, at the intersection of Mays Chapel Road and State Route 4, visitors will find the Joseph S.J. Tanner II Environmental Education Center. The center has interpretive programs and exhibits for the public from Memorial Day through Labor Day, on Saturdays and Sundays.
Gas, groceries, firewood and restaurants are located within 2 miles and also within 20 minutes in Boydton and South Hill, Virginia.
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.
Contact Information
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: North Bend Gatehouse Phone Number: 434- 738 -0059 Visitors Center Phone Number: 434- 738- 6143
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
