Rudds Creek Rec Area Picnic Shelter
John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir
Rudds Creek 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. Rudd's Creek Campground is open April 1 - October 31. The Day Use Park, located across Hwy 58, is open year-around.
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 in two states and offer countless recreation opportunities for visitors.
The Day Use Area provides a boat ramp and a courtesty dock for the public to use. There is also a desingated swimming area with a life jacket loaner station where you can borrow and return a life jacket. The shelter does not have electricity but it located near a very nice restroom that offers flush toilets. There is a playground in the park along with many picnicing opprotunities with picnic tables and grills.
Need to Know
If you have reserved the shelter and it is already occupied the day of your reservation, please call Rudds Creek Campground at 434.738.6827. 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 not have electricity.
Vehicles should remain on paved roads only.
Alcoholic beverages, camping and hunting are prohibited in the park.
Off-road vehicles and golf carts are prohibited.
Dogs are allowed but must stay on a maximum 6-foot leash and are prohibited in the designated swimming area.
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. 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
Rudds Creek Park is forested and offers plenty of shade. It is located 2 miles from the town of Boydton, VA, and has a marina less than a mile away. The day use area offers lots of picnicing opprotunites and shade.
Nearby Attractions
The Corps Visitor Assistance Center is located about 30 minutes away at Kerr Dam.
Gas, groceries and shopping are available just minutes away, in Boydton. The park is about 20 minutes from Clarksville, Virginia and 30 minutes from South Hill, VA.
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 5.5-mile Robert Munford Trail is 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: Rudds Creek Campground Phone Number: (434) 738- 6827 Rudds Creek Day Use Area Phone Number: (434) 738- 6030 Visitors Center Phone Number: (434) 738-6143
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
