Guidebook to Lake Kerr

Pamela
Guidebook to Lake Kerr

Fishing

Lake Kerr is almost 50,000 acres at full pool and therefore known for its fishing- best known for large mouth bass and catfish. With its deep waters, you can catch decent sized catfish right off the dock. The lake is also wide known for some of the area's best fishing tournaments due to the size of the lake and less crowded boating environment.
A local favorite fishing charter for those wishing to explore the best fishing spots on the lake. 919-724-2474 bluesbrotherscharters.com
Blues Brothers Guide Service, LLC
810 Willie Gray Road
A local favorite fishing charter for those wishing to explore the best fishing spots on the lake. 919-724-2474 bluesbrotherscharters.com
Another local favorite, specializing in large mouth bass fishing 919-323-6106 buggsislandguideservice.com
Buggs Island Guide Service
Holly Trail
Another local favorite, specializing in large mouth bass fishing 919-323-6106 buggsislandguideservice.com
Local favorite fishing guide, known for their knowledge of the best fishing spots on the lake. 336-459-2526.
Prime Time Kerr Lake Guide Service
109 Fox Road
Local favorite fishing guide, known for their knowledge of the best fishing spots on the lake. 336-459-2526.

Wineries and Breweries

Several great wineries and breweries located within 30 minutes, offering a wide variety- something for everyone to enjoy. All are family friendly.
With a large selection of wine, there is something for everyone. They offer tastings as well as small food items - assortments of cheeses and meats; toasted baguettes; and other small wine pairing snacks. You are also welcome to bring your own food. On select days and holidays, there are food truck options as well as live music. A great thing to do, even with kids, on a nice sunny day as there is outside seating and a large grassy area for the kids to run and play.
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Rosemont Vineyards & Winery
1050 Blackridge Rd
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With a large selection of wine, there is something for everyone. They offer tastings as well as small food items - assortments of cheeses and meats; toasted baguettes; and other small wine pairing snacks. You are also welcome to bring your own food. On select days and holidays, there are food truck options as well as live music. A great thing to do, even with kids, on a nice sunny day as there is outside seating and a large grassy area for the kids to run and play.
Veteran Owned and Operated, this is not your typical brewery. They offer a large selection of food items- made to order in their on-site kitchen. On select days, they also have live music. Large variety of beer, with flight tastings available- pick your own assortment to try. Located in the quaint town of Oxford, the area itself is nice to go visit and walk around on a nice day.
Tobacco Wood Brewing Company
117 Wall Street
Veteran Owned and Operated, this is not your typical brewery. They offer a large selection of food items- made to order in their on-site kitchen. On select days, they also have live music. Large variety of beer, with flight tastings available- pick your own assortment to try. Located in the quaint town of Oxford, the area itself is nice to go visit and walk around on a nice day.
Beautiful new building located right on Lake Kerr. They offer a wide selection of beer, as well as food on site - be sure to check times as food is only served during certain hours. On select days, there are more food options offered with food trucks on site. There is also live music on select days as well as special events. Beautiful views of the lake.
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Buggs Island Brewing Company
101 2nd Street
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Beautiful new building located right on Lake Kerr. They offer a wide selection of beer, as well as food on site - be sure to check times as food is only served during certain hours. On select days, there are more food options offered with food trucks on site. There is also live music on select days as well as special events. Beautiful views of the lake.
A fairly new brewery to the area, this is a local favorite. With a newly added brick pizza oven, there is now a food option to paid with your selection of beer. They offer tastings and a wide variety of beer to choose from.
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Mill Hill Taproom
112 Madison Street
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A fairly new brewery to the area, this is a local favorite. With a newly added brick pizza oven, there is now a food option to paid with your selection of beer. They offer tastings and a wide variety of beer to choose from.

Food scene

More than just a convenience store, Buchanans is a well known local favorite and the oldest general store in the NC area. The look of the building is meant to keep its history while offering modern conveniences. A staple in the community, they offer everything from milk and bread to fishing lures. Be sure to check out their outside garden area- full of one of a kind yard signs and decor. There is also a grill area, making made to order hot breakfast and lunch sandwiches, which are delicious!
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Buchanan’s Store
6547 Drewry-Virginia Line Rd
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More than just a convenience store, Buchanans is a well known local favorite and the oldest general store in the NC area. The look of the building is meant to keep its history while offering modern conveniences. A staple in the community, they offer everything from milk and bread to fishing lures. Be sure to check out their outside garden area- full of one of a kind yard signs and decor. There is also a grill area, making made to order hot breakfast and lunch sandwiches, which are delicious!
Steak and seafood in a cute, rustic log cabin atmosphere. There are usually weekend specials, be sure to check out their website, however we highly recommend their steak. https://www.middleburgsteakhouse.com/menu/
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Middleburg Steak & Seafood
7139 Broad Street
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Steak and seafood in a cute, rustic log cabin atmosphere. There are usually weekend specials, be sure to check out their website, however we highly recommend their steak. https://www.middleburgsteakhouse.com/menu/
While a little bit of a further drive (approx 40 minutes), this restaurant has a fun atmosphere in the summer months- live music on the weekends (Saturdays and select Sundays); tiki bar; outside dining on the beach; and a lakefront dining experience. This is not your "fine" dining, but a great bar and grill - perfect for families or just hanging out, with a selection of seafood, burgers, and more.
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The Pointe at Lake Gaston
1865 Eaton Ferry Rd
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While a little bit of a further drive (approx 40 minutes), this restaurant has a fun atmosphere in the summer months- live music on the weekends (Saturdays and select Sundays); tiki bar; outside dining on the beach; and a lakefront dining experience. This is not your "fine" dining, but a great bar and grill - perfect for families or just hanging out, with a selection of seafood, burgers, and more.
Also a little further of a drive, (approx 40 minutes), located on Lake Gaston (connected to Kerr Lake by the dam), Watersview is less of a "bar restaurant" atmosphere and has a little more casual/fine dining type feel. Recommended for date night as well as families. On select Saturdays, they have live music in the evenings while you eat (during the summer). They also have fire pit tables out on the patio, highly recommended, for watching the sunset over the lake on a nice clear day.
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WatersView Restaurant
2107 Eaton Ferry Rd
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Also a little further of a drive, (approx 40 minutes), located on Lake Gaston (connected to Kerr Lake by the dam), Watersview is less of a "bar restaurant" atmosphere and has a little more casual/fine dining type feel. Recommended for date night as well as families. On select Saturdays, they have live music in the evenings while you eat (during the summer). They also have fire pit tables out on the patio, highly recommended, for watching the sunset over the lake on a nice clear day.
A newer restaurant to the community, this is definitely more of a fine dining experience, and therefore recommended more for couples/adults. The menu is a little pricier as the food is one of a kind creative dishes. Not recommended for picky eaters as their menu is fairly small and unique to most. Definitely a place to try for something new, with an excellent selection of cocktails and wine- a wine store is also located next door. This restaurant is reservation only so be sure to plan in advance as they book up quickly.
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Blue Jay Bistro
141 East South Main Street
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A newer restaurant to the community, this is definitely more of a fine dining experience, and therefore recommended more for couples/adults. The menu is a little pricier as the food is one of a kind creative dishes. Not recommended for picky eaters as their menu is fairly small and unique to most. Definitely a place to try for something new, with an excellent selection of cocktails and wine- a wine store is also located next door. This restaurant is reservation only so be sure to plan in advance as they book up quickly.
A wide menu, perfect for families or couples alone. They also provide take out, which is a convenience to grab and go. Highly recommend their crab dip and steak quesadillas.
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George's Restaurant
210 N Garnett St
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A wide menu, perfect for families or couples alone. They also provide take out, which is a convenience to grab and go. Highly recommend their crab dip and steak quesadillas.
A locals favorite, 313 Franklin offers some of the best handcrafted cocktails. The food is also a treat, with a unique touches on classic dishes as well as a variety of different entrees to try. The atmosphere is also a little higher end then just your typical bar/restaurant with live music sometimes on the weekends.
313 Franklin St
A locals favorite, 313 Franklin offers some of the best handcrafted cocktails. The food is also a treat, with a unique touches on classic dishes as well as a variety of different entrees to try. The atmosphere is also a little higher end then just your typical bar/restaurant with live music sometimes on the weekends.

Lake Fun

Great for boat rentals- can rent a pontoon by the day or the week. Excellent rates. Also rent kayaks and paddle boards.
Clarksville Marine Rental Inc
66 Occoneechee Park Rd
Great for boat rentals- can rent a pontoon by the day or the week. Excellent rates. Also rent kayaks and paddle boards.
Steel Creek Marina: Another great option for affordable pontoon boat rental. Kerr Lake is not to be missed- you can literally ride the lake for hours and not see it all.
Townsville Landing Road
Townsville Landing Road
Steel Creek Marina: Another great option for affordable pontoon boat rental. Kerr Lake is not to be missed- you can literally ride the lake for hours and not see it all.

Sightseeing

Really beautiful views of the lake, dam, and sunset. Small walking trail, perfect for taking pictures of the sunset over the lake and exploring. At certain water depths, when the water is lower, you can often find historic Indian arrowheads in the sand along the beach.
John h. kerr dam view point
4499 Buggs Island Rd
Really beautiful views of the lake, dam, and sunset. Small walking trail, perfect for taking pictures of the sunset over the lake and exploring. At certain water depths, when the water is lower, you can often find historic Indian arrowheads in the sand along the beach.
Kerr Lake State Recreation Area is a collective of seven access areas scattered around the shoreline of this 50,000-acre reservoir that reaches into Virginia. Hundreds of campsites among five of the access areas offer a range of outdoor experience from RV hookups to group camps. There are several swim beaches in the recreation area and multiple boating ramps, some offering 24-hour access with a few reserved for campers. Two private marinas serve boaters and the lake is renowned for excellent fishing. An extensive boat ramp facility at the Nutbush Access is suitable for fishing tournaments. A community building is a popular venue for family or community gatherings. There are several state parks along the lake, most with boat ramps. Some with walking trails. List of walking trails on the website: https://www.ncparks.gov/kerr-lake-state-recreation-area/trails
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Kerr Lake State Recreation Area
6254 Glass House Rd
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Kerr Lake State Recreation Area is a collective of seven access areas scattered around the shoreline of this 50,000-acre reservoir that reaches into Virginia. Hundreds of campsites among five of the access areas offer a range of outdoor experience from RV hookups to group camps. There are several swim beaches in the recreation area and multiple boating ramps, some offering 24-hour access with a few reserved for campers. Two private marinas serve boaters and the lake is renowned for excellent fishing. An extensive boat ramp facility at the Nutbush Access is suitable for fishing tournaments. A community building is a popular venue for family or community gatherings. There are several state parks along the lake, most with boat ramps. Some with walking trails. List of walking trails on the website: https://www.ncparks.gov/kerr-lake-state-recreation-area/trails
Beautiful lake park on Kerr with a splash pad for the kids open seasonally. The park is open daily from 8 a.m.–dusk. The Visitor Center is open daily, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The Splash Pad operates Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Splash Pad will close for the season after Sept. 19. Named for Native Americans who lived in the area for hundreds of years, Occoneechee is on the John H. Kerr Reservoir, better known as Buggs Island Lake, and is popular with anglers and boaters. Facilities include cabins, campsites, an equestrian campground, picnic shelters, an amphitheater, a playground, boat ramps, and a private concession offering boat rentals and snacks. Occoneechee Marina offers a fuel dock and boat slips with water and electric service for annual rentals. Six slips are available for rent to overnight camping and cabin guests. The park also has 20 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. The visitor center and museum introduce visitors to Native American history and the indigenous Occoneechee people. Providing 24-hour access Virginia’s largest lake, three boat ramps open the door to 48,000 acres of fishing, boating and aquatic recreation. Forty-eight campsites are available for tent and RV campers. Some sites are right on the shoreline, providing easy fishing and boating access. The park also has 13 cabins that allow guests to enjoy the comforts of home as well as beautiful views of the lake. An equestrian campground with 11 sites and 11 covered horse stalls offers easy access to the park’s trail system. Occoneechee also has picnic areas near the lake, a playground, boat rentals and a lakefront amphitheater. Numerous trails also located at this park. Trail map can be accessed on their website: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/occoneechee#park_trail_guide
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Occoneechee State Park
1192 Occoneechee Park Rd
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Beautiful lake park on Kerr with a splash pad for the kids open seasonally. The park is open daily from 8 a.m.–dusk. The Visitor Center is open daily, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The Splash Pad operates Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Splash Pad will close for the season after Sept. 19. Named for Native Americans who lived in the area for hundreds of years, Occoneechee is on the John H. Kerr Reservoir, better known as Buggs Island Lake, and is popular with anglers and boaters. Facilities include cabins, campsites, an equestrian campground, picnic shelters, an amphitheater, a playground, boat ramps, and a private concession offering boat rentals and snacks. Occoneechee Marina offers a fuel dock and boat slips with water and electric service for annual rentals. Six slips are available for rent to overnight camping and cabin guests. The park also has 20 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. The visitor center and museum introduce visitors to Native American history and the indigenous Occoneechee people. Providing 24-hour access Virginia’s largest lake, three boat ramps open the door to 48,000 acres of fishing, boating and aquatic recreation. Forty-eight campsites are available for tent and RV campers. Some sites are right on the shoreline, providing easy fishing and boating access. The park also has 13 cabins that allow guests to enjoy the comforts of home as well as beautiful views of the lake. An equestrian campground with 11 sites and 11 covered horse stalls offers easy access to the park’s trail system. Occoneechee also has picnic areas near the lake, a playground, boat rentals and a lakefront amphitheater. Numerous trails also located at this park. Trail map can be accessed on their website: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/occoneechee#park_trail_guide
Beautiful walking trail with numerous markers detailing specific historic sites or nature. Along the Liberty Hill Trail you will encounter a unique area with natural beauty, historical significance, and modern technology all existing in harmony. You’ll also see a series of numbered markers. Each numbered marker represents a point of interest that is explained in the pamphlet you can view online: https://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Portals/59/docs/recreation/johnhkerrlake/Liberty%20Hill%20-%20Nature%20Trail%20Guide%20-%20Final%205.10.pdf
Liberty Hill Nature & History Trail
Liberty Hill Nature & History Trail
Beautiful walking trail with numerous markers detailing specific historic sites or nature. Along the Liberty Hill Trail you will encounter a unique area with natural beauty, historical significance, and modern technology all existing in harmony. You’ll also see a series of numbered markers. Each numbered marker represents a point of interest that is explained in the pamphlet you can view online: https://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Portals/59/docs/recreation/johnhkerrlake/Liberty%20Hill%20-%20Nature%20Trail%20Guide%20-%20Final%205.10.pdf
At the foot of the dam, this park is a great place to kayak and see dozens of American bald eagles during specific times of the year. Truly a beautiful site not to be missed. Tailrace Park sits just below John H. Kerr (Buggs Island) Dam and Reservoir. This area is an excellent vantage point to explore the outlet for the reservoir and the resultant stream of the Roanoke River leading to Lake Gaston. The turbulent waters immediately below the dam attract dozens of double-crested cormorants to feast on the abundance of fish in the area. These are often joined by a crowd of great blue herons, equally eager to feast on the river’s bounty. This area attracts even more excitement in the winter, when innumerable ring-billed gulls congregate and occasionally bring herring, Bonaparte’s, or even more uncommon gulls in the flock. The cormorants are often joined by common mergansers that enjoy the deep, clear waters of the reservoir. Perhaps what Tailrace Park is best known for however, are its eagles. At times during the winter months, scenes of Tailrace Park include over a dozen bald eagles, a scene reminiscent more of Alaska than Virginia. Bald eagles can be found year-round although the large numbers are present only in the winter. These treasures join the numerous ospreys gliding overhead. https://dwr.virginia.gov/vbwt/sites/u-s-army-corps-of-engineers-tailrace-park-john-h-kerr-dam-reservoir/
Tailrace Park
5458 Buggs Island Road
At the foot of the dam, this park is a great place to kayak and see dozens of American bald eagles during specific times of the year. Truly a beautiful site not to be missed. Tailrace Park sits just below John H. Kerr (Buggs Island) Dam and Reservoir. This area is an excellent vantage point to explore the outlet for the reservoir and the resultant stream of the Roanoke River leading to Lake Gaston. The turbulent waters immediately below the dam attract dozens of double-crested cormorants to feast on the abundance of fish in the area. These are often joined by a crowd of great blue herons, equally eager to feast on the river’s bounty. This area attracts even more excitement in the winter, when innumerable ring-billed gulls congregate and occasionally bring herring, Bonaparte’s, or even more uncommon gulls in the flock. The cormorants are often joined by common mergansers that enjoy the deep, clear waters of the reservoir. Perhaps what Tailrace Park is best known for however, are its eagles. At times during the winter months, scenes of Tailrace Park include over a dozen bald eagles, a scene reminiscent more of Alaska than Virginia. Bald eagles can be found year-round although the large numbers are present only in the winter. These treasures join the numerous ospreys gliding overhead. https://dwr.virginia.gov/vbwt/sites/u-s-army-corps-of-engineers-tailrace-park-john-h-kerr-dam-reservoir/

Things to Do

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).
Longwood Park
13502 US-15
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).
Looking for something to do off the lake? Be sure to check out Shangrila Ranch- offering horseback trail rides. Located approx 1 hour away on the opposite end of the lake. Trail rides are by reservation only so be sure to plan in advance. http://www.shangrilaguestranch.com/trail-riding-only/
Shangrila Guest Ranch
3219 Old Cluster Springs Rd
Looking for something to do off the lake? Be sure to check out Shangrila Ranch- offering horseback trail rides. Located approx 1 hour away on the opposite end of the lake. Trail rides are by reservation only so be sure to plan in advance. http://www.shangrilaguestranch.com/trail-riding-only/
One of the few still in operation drive in movie theatres in the country. Open year round with a flea market open on select Saturdays throughout the year. Offering food and drinks during showtimes. Operating Friday-Sunday. Check out their movie schedule on their website: http://www.raleighroaddrivein.com
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Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre
3336 Raleigh Rd
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One of the few still in operation drive in movie theatres in the country. Open year round with a flea market open on select Saturdays throughout the year. Offering food and drinks during showtimes. Operating Friday-Sunday. Check out their movie schedule on their website: http://www.raleighroaddrivein.com