Best Camping in and near John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir

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Discover the serene beauty of John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir.

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Top-rated campgrounds near John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir

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Tar River Life

17 sites · Lodging, Tents40 acres · Lake Royale, NC

Back to the basics, come and experience Tar River Life’s primitive camping on the Tar River. Enjoy being on the river and listening to slow running sound of the Tar River. Bring your own tent or rent one of ours. You can drive your vehicle to all of our campsites. The drive to camp is about 1/2 miles. Each site includes a fire pit, wood and trash bin. Cook your own meals or try and catch your own fish from the river. Campsites can be secluded or grouped. Each site comes with a picnic table, 1 bundle of wood and trash can. Stay for a night or longer period of time, come and enjoy the outdoors with us. We have lots of walking trails, fishing access, wildlife, kayaking and tubing (must be purchased through us). 2WD vehicles are ok except during wet conditions. There is also the Vollmer Farm, with seasonal produce a Full Coffee Shop with breakfast goodies and baked goods and not to mention their fabulous ice cream. They have goods from around NC including, eggs, honey, meats, beers, wine and more. There is a grocery store (Food Lion) about 15 minutes away. So you can stock up on supplies on your way to your next adventure. We are pet friendly!

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Honah Lee Farms

5 sites · Tents144 acres · Rougemont, NC

(Notice - Our property was recently damaged by heavy rains from hurricane Helene. We have been working to make repairs, including along the long driveway entering the property. For those return campers and all new guests to Honah Lee Farms, we are no longer accepting trailers or RVs due to the narrowing of our driveway from the recent flood-waters. We apologize for any inconvenience and will post updates here if the circumstances change. - Brian) Our camp is the shared vision of Brian and Lee and son Michael. We fell in love with this beautiful property where we plan to build our eco-friendly, off-grid homestead and farm. Lee's favorite song and the inspiration behind our name is "Puff the Magic Dragon" by Peter, Paul and Mary. A land of whimsical imagination, beauty and maybe a dragon or three is our shared vision for the farm. The camping options are flexible, ranging from prepared campsites along both Little and Deep creeks with composting outhouses nearby, to "Camper's Choice" options where you may hike in or drive in and create your own camping experience. Please note that since the "Camper's Choice" options allow freedom to select hike-in or drive-in options, the exact distance to nearest outhouse may vary. There are 144 acres to explore so campers can set up a secluded getaway or cluster together in a group. We are flexible and can work with you to create a camping experience that suits your needs. Learn more about this land: Honah Lee Farms has over 140 acres of woods with open fields distributed throughout. We are bordered to the south by the Flat River, to the west by Deep Creek, and to the north by Little Creek. Most of our campsites are nestled in the trees along one of these bodies of water and all campers have access to the 10 foot waterfall area where Deep Creek runs into the Flat River.

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R.O.S.A. Land Campground

6 sites · Lodging, Tents23 acres · Rougemont, NC

Welcome to R.O.S.A. Land Campground! Hot Water Outdoor Shower Back Up and newly chopped, dead Hackberry wood available as EXTRAS. R.O.S.A. stands for Rare Occaneechi Saponi Alluvial Land-based retreat and campground offering individuals and small groups a place for rest, exploration, sanctuary, and grounding. Equal parts woodland, floodplain wetland and pastureland, R.O.S.A land is stewarding 23 acres of ecological magical oasis on a tributary of the Upper Tar River in an Aquatic Habitat deemed an important NC Natural Heritage area of the Piedmont of North Carolina. Rare mussel species and amphibians live here. Come see for yourself! This is a queer-stewarded, solidarity-focused rematriation project. This land is co-deeded to MK of Handewa Farms and owned at present by K Cox, Steward of the Respite and will be passed on to MK and her seven Afro-Indigenous children once the Roundhouse is paid down. In the meantime, an intentional community of farmhub tenants, visitors, campers and Handewa Farm members all co-habitate on the land together. We offer nature-based immersion for artists, healers, cultural and frontline organizers and their families taking time for restful resistance. It is a triptyech of woods, water and pastureland butting up against an untouched wild old hardwood forest - a combination unlikley found in the PIedmont- nestled among small tobacco, horse and hay farms in the Southeast corner of Granville County between Oxford and Roxboro in the beautiful PIedmont of North Carolina.

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(8)

Heaven's Gate Artistry

20 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Henderson, NC

Centered in the beautiful North Carolina countryside of lush green rolling hills with picturesque farms, oak and magnolia trees, this property has three acres of pasture and four acres of trees. I have dry camping with water, electricity and a Porta Potty available nearby fir /418 a night and for $45 a night full RV hook ups. I've been a full time Artist and Teacher for 30 years and have a my AgriTourism 40’x72’ Barndominium, (it's still a bit of a construction site on one acre) with a 1,250 sq ft. Art Studio for creatives of all types opening in May 2024. Studio time and lessons available. Pottery, kiln, (up to cone 10 electric and cone 10 gas reduction) wheel, hand building tables, slab roller, extruder, wedging tables, glazes, drawing, painting, (watercolor, acrylic, pen & ink, oil, pastel, etc.) book binding, mixed media and more. In Raleigh, NC there is the NC Museum of Art, Marbles Children's Museum and Natural Sciences Museum, DPAC performing arts in Durham. You can visit Duke University Cathedral in Durham, University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and NC State in Raleigh. Shop at Raleigh, Louisburg and Henderson Farmer's Markets or take a Raleigh Guided Historical Tour. Downtown Raleigh is beaming with excellent restaurants, breweries, music and night life. There are petting zoo's, Wild ponies on the Outer Banks, The North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, Local Alpaca Farms to visit and many live music and dancing venues. There is Falls Lake, Kerr Lake, Lake Jordan and Lake Gaston for fishing, swimming and water skiing. In two hours and 15 minutes you can be in Mt. Airy the original Mayberry of the Andy Griffith Show. Or stop and pan for gold and gems on your way to Asheville, NC. Or stop by Cherokee, NC for famous Maggie Valley or their Harrah's Cherokee Casino. Located 30 minutes from the VA state line, highway US #1 and Interstate 85 are 15 minutes away. 45 Minutes north of Triangle Town Center Mall in Raleigh, NC, three hours from Wilmington/Atlantic Beach, NC for surfing, deep sea fishing boat charters and beautiful beaches. We're four hours East of Ashville/Smokey Mountains and the famous Biltmore House, NC. We're four hours from fun Myrtle Beach, SC and five hours North of Historic Charleston, NC and 3.5 hours from The Smithsonian National Museum of History and the White House in Washington DC. In NC we're three hours from Charlotte, NC, 90 minutes from Greensboro/Winston Salem, NC, one hour to Interstate 95 south in Wilson, NC, 45 minutes North to Interstate 95 in Roanoke Rapids, NC. Soon to come laundry and shower room and bunk beds! Top 10 Things to Do in Raleigh: https://www.viator.com/Raleigh/d33621-ttd?mcid=33953&tsem=true&supci=-1&supag=1233652197275608&supsc=kwd-77103383976617&supai=77103448173493&supdv=c&supnt=s&supkw=museums%20in%20raleigh%20nc&supti=kwd-77103383976617&suplp=82024&supli=56448&m=33953&supag=1233652197275608&supsc=kwd-77103383976617&supai=77103448173493&supdv=c&supnt=nt:s&suplp=82024&supli=56448&supti=kwd-77103383976617&tsem=true&supci=kwd-77103383976617&supkw=museums%20in%20raleigh%20nc&msclkid=0f8e945c99d51e0f9e7bf2746e1e7c6f

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Privette Pointe

2 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Wake Forest, NC

Once a working cattle and tobacco farm, this land has been in our family for generations. Experience magnificent sunrises over rolling hills, just inside Wake County near the Franklin County border. Two sites beside the pond, stocked with fish, a bridge to feed them bread from, and a fountain to listen to as you unwind.Learn more about this land:Wake up beside the pond, listening to to fountain as you drink your morning coffee. Fish from the bank or toss bread to the fish from the bridge. Hike the property and take pictures of breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.

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Fields of Dreams

2 sites · Lodging20 acres · Rougemont, NC

Learn more about this land: A quiet area surrounded by trees overlooking a pond where the only sound is the whispering of the winds. Access the area on a private farm road and emerge into a pristine woodland paradise. Enjoy the serenity of being close to nature but not too far from civilization, Read/Write a book, see the stars, slow the pace and enjoy. Perfect space for nature lovers, peace seekers, metro escapees, business traveller minimalists and even horse travelers who would like to stake out their horses in an open field. Pure nature at its best...Bring your own amenities. The space is large enough for large gatherings. You can order a large tent, porta-potties, generator, etc. for a your event.Will require some planning, and is a different cost structure, so msg me.

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(3)

WishFlower Gardens in the Woods

19 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Keysville, VA

WishFlower Gardens is an off grid mostly wooded homestead in progress. You'll have access to a tent site (accessed by an in progress trail), Campervan, or mostly level parking spots for self-contained vehicle camping. We are visual artists and herbalists and are happy to add on an intuitive painting class or plant medicine workshop to be enjoyed during your stay.

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(4)

50 Acre Woods

1 site · RV, Tent50 acres · Emporia, VA

Great location only 15 min off I-95. Far enough away from the city and roads to see the stars at night, close enough for easy access to all modern conveniences. Accessible by a paved road. A path is cut right through the property for ease to find your ideal camping location. You can park your vehicle off the paved road or on the property itself. There is a creek a few hundred yards into the property that's not crossable by vehicle. A vehicle can pull onto the property via the cutout road but I wouldn’t pull an RV/vehicle with a trailer onto it.

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(48)

Kerwin K.’s Land

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents400 acres · Keysville, VA

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(7)

Ross F.’s Land

5 sites · Lodging10 acres · Hollister, NC

We bought the property in search of gold. After exploring the land after we bought it, we discovered a 200ft ship from 1906 buried 4ft under the ground. We are inviting people to come enjoy this experience with us as we excavate the ship, to learn history, and to learn unique outdoor activities. There are so many treasures still left to be found.

Booked 1 time

Turtle Dove Escape

1 site · RV, Tent11 acres · Creedmoor, NC

Welcome to Turtle Dove Escape—a serene 11-acre retreat nestled in the heart of Creedmoor, NC, just a short drive from the vibrant Triangle region. This former farmland offers the perfect off-grid getaway, blending open space and partially forested beauty, making it an ideal spot for nature lovers and adventurers alike. Whether you're here for camping under the stars, parking your RV for a tranquil weekend escape, or planning an unforgettable event, Turtle Dove Escape has something special for everyone. Imagine a place where you can unplug, recharge, and immerse yourself in nature's quiet magic. With wide-open fields for camping, shaded groves perfect for hammocks and picnics, and trails for hiking or hunting, this property is an outdoor lover's dream. It’s also an excellent spot for hosting unique events—book Turtle Dove Escape for your next family reunion, wedding, or outdoor festival and enjoy the flexibility of wide-open spaces with complete privacy. Bring your RV or set up your tent, and experience the freedom of off-grid living. Turtle Dove Escape offers plenty of room for exploration, quiet reflection, and adventure. Enjoy the simple pleasure of campfires, starlit skies, and peaceful mornings where the only sounds are the birds and breeze. For those seeking more, nearby lakes and trails are perfect for fishing, kayaking, and hiking. Turtle Dove Escape is where nature meets adventure—come see for yourself and create unforgettable memories in this hidden gem of Creedmoor.

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Shepherd's Tavern Farm

4 sites · RVs, Tents26 acres · Pamplin, VA

Learn more about this land:Rolling pasture with wooded perimeters. Camp in the open pasture or in the woods. As private as you can make it. We provide a quiet and a restful environment. Paths/trails on the property. Civil war/Revolutionary history everywhere. YES!

The best camping near John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir guide

Overview

About

Pollution-free is the way to be, baby. Since the 1950s, this dam has provided hydroelectric power to the Roanoke River Valley. This park works hard so you can play hard. Boasting nearly 1,000 miles of tree-lined shores, 50,000 acres of water, and 26 Wildlife Management Areas, this place begs to be explored. Take a hike through thick Hickory forests, or load up the boat and reel in some bass. If you’re a fan of feathers instead of fins, be sure to check out Bugg’s Island! Bald Eagles are often found perching and looking noble on its tall trees. You’d be Kerr-azy not to check this place out.

When to go

The ideal time to visit John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural beauty is at its peak. Summer brings warmth perfect for water activities, though it can be crowded. Winters are quieter but chillier, which might affect some outdoor adventures.

Know before you go

Check the weather forecast and pack accordingly to ensure a comfortable visit.
Be aware of any seasonal closures or restricted areas within the park.
Accessibility varies across different parts of the reservoir, so plan for any necessary accommodations.
Remember to bring essential supplies as not all amenities may be available on-site.
Stay informed about safety guidelines, especially when participating in water-related activities.