Overview

Rudds Creek Park is located on the 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 1953. Its 800 miles of wooded shoreline stretch across six counties and offer countless recreation opportunities for visitors.

Natural Features:

Kerr Reservoir encompasses approximately 48,000 acres of forestland. The most common forest type is upland hardwood, which is dominated by a mix of oak and hickory trees. Rudds Creek Park is forested and offers plenty of shade.

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. A checklist of local birds is available at the park visitor center.

Several trails are available for hiking and biking. The 1.6-mile Liberty Nature Trail and seven-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 in abundance. A boat ramp and marina allow for for easy water access.

Facilities:

Visitors to Rudds Creek Park will enjoy the lakeside view. There are 99 sites for tents or RVs, and amenities like hot showers, flush toilets and a dump station provide a comfortable camping experience. A swimming beach and picnic shelter make the campground ideal for families.

Nearby Attractions:

About 15 minutes 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.

Gas and groceries are available in Clarksville, Virginia, also 15 minutes away.