Overview Welcome to John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir! Kerr Lake is 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 1952. Its 800 miles of wooded shoreline stretch across six counties and two states and offer countless recreation opportunities for visitors. The Old Picnic Area (OPA) is a day use area open to the public but also avalible for reservations on Recreation.gov. Looking for a great view for a wedding or a large area for a reuinion? The Old Picnic Area is a great option! It has a paved parking lot and road way. There is a shelter with electricity and a water spigot located near by the shelter. 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.
Source: rec_gov · last verified 2026-05-19