Buffalo Park
John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir
Buffalo Park is a small day use and campground park, located on John H. Kerr Reservoir. The campground is open May 1 - September 30. The Day Use Park is open year-around. Kerr, also known as Buggs Island 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 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.
Visitors to Buffalo Park will enjoy the lakeside views and the quaint park. The campground has 21 sites: 11 shady electric sites (1 is a double) and 10 primitive sites in an open field. Primitive sites are small with limited shade. Two of the electric sites are paved and are accessible. Amenities include "family-style" individual restrooms with hot showers, sink and flush toilets. Park has a small dump station. Park has a swim beach, picnic shelter, and a boat ramp.
Notifications and Alerts
Starting April 1st, 2025 - Our campsite occupancy limits and total number of vehicles allowed will be changing. Extra vehicles will not be allowed and visitors to campsites will count as campers. Within Recreation.gov, you can find this information for each campsite in the "Site Details" and "Allowable Vehicle/Driveway Details" sections. If you have questions, please call the Visitor Assistance Center at 434.738.6143. You can also follow the John H. Kerr Reservoir (Buggs Island Lake) Facebook page for more detailed information. https://www.facebook.com/JohnHKerrReservoirBuggsIslandLake
Need to Know
Most campsites have gravel bases; bring padding for tents; all camping equipment must fit within the site perimeters (timbers).
Check-in is at 4 p.m. and check-out is at 2 p.m. Campers must drop off their blue camping hangtags at the gatehouse upon checkout.
Maximum stay is 14-days within any 30 day period. Changing names on a reservation, changing campsites, or making multiple reservations in order to stay over 14-days is prohibited!
Quiet hours are from 10pm to 6 am. Generators and music must be cut off at 10 pm.
Customers should not have packages or mail sent or delivered to Park. Mail and packages will be refused and returned to sender.
Alcoholic beverages and off-road vehicles (golf carts,4-wheelers, etc.) are not allowed.
Golden Age/Access and America the Beautiful Interagency Senior and Access Passes are accepted at this campground and cardholders receive a 50% discount on camping fees. Cardholder must be present at registration, show pass and ID, and camp during entire stay.
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. The day use fee is waived for current campers.
For a full list of rules and regulations please visit Title 36
Please read through the fees and cancelation policy for Recreation.gov.
Natural Features
Kerr Reservoir has approximately 48,000 acres of hardwood and pine forest and 50,000 acres of water. Buffalo Park has both shady sites and open field sites. The picnic shelter in the park has a spectacular view of the lake, where the Roanoke (Staunton) River meets the Dan.
Nearby Attractions
Buffalo Springs Park is on the Virginia State and National Historic Sites, and is located approximately 7 miles from Buffalo Park. Once a world-renowned source of bottled lithia waters, the little park now offers a picnic pavilion and solitude. People still get their water from the fountain there.
Gas and groceries are available in Clarksville, Virginia, about 15 minutes away. Clarksville holds the distinction of being the only town on Kerr (Buggs Island) Lake.
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.
The Army Corps of Engineers manages 26 Wildlife Management Areas around the lake that provide year-round opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, birding and more.
Kerr Lake is widely known for fishing, with large-mouth bass, striped bass, crappie and catfish caught. Fishing and hunting are regulated by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries on the Virginia side of the lake.
Changes & Cancellations
- Changing Reservations:
- There is no change fee if a visitor extends or shortens a reservation, as long as the change includes dates from the original reservation. Additionally, there is no change fee if the visitor wants to switch sites that are the same price with the same reservation dates in the same facility.
- If a visitor wants to switch dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates, there is a $10 change fee.
- If a reservation is made that includes dates beyond the maximum booking window, that reservation cannot be changed until 18 days have passed from the original booking date.
- Once a reservation date has begun, visitors cannot change a reservation using the online system or through the Call Center. Onsite staff will assist with changes or cancellations.
- Cancellations:
- Visitors may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation.
- A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's approved rate including tax and applicable add-on. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.
- Visitors who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days prior to arrival date will pay a $10 service fee AND forfeit the first night’s rate.
- No-Shows:
- A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date.
- No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite.
- Early Departures:
- Visitors are requested to notify staff at the facility if they depart early to allow others to use the site.
- If the visitor chooses to depart early, they may forfeit the approved rate and applicable tax and applicable add-on for the day of departure. If a visitor departs prior to the scheduled check-out date, they may be eligible for a partial refund. Visitors may notify the Recreation.gov call center to request a refund of remaining unused nights. If a visitor requests a refund for an early departure after the facility check-out time (3 pm) has passed, the visitor will not be refunded for that night and is eligible for a refund on any additional nights that will not be used.
- Refunds:
- Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Visitors may also initiate a refund request through the call center at any time after their reservation has ended.
- Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay.
- For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive.
- In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
Contact Information
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VISITOR ASSISTANCE CENTER 1930 MAYS CHAPEL ROAD BOYDTON VA 23917-9801
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: (434) 374-2063 IN SEASON ONLY. ALL OTHERS: (434) 738-6143
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
The physical address for Buffalo Park is: 5199 Carter's Point Road, Buffalo Junction, VA 24529. It is located approximately 10 miles west of Clarksville, VA.
Available Campsites
- Site 02, Loop RLOO, Type Standard Electric
- Site 13, Loop LLOO, Type Standard Electric
- Site 07, Loop RLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 22, Loop RLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 04, Loop RLOO, Type Standard Electric
- Site 06, Loop RLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 11, Loop RLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 15, Loop LLOO, Type Standard Electric
- Site 21, Loop RLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 05, Loop RLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 08, Loop RLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 12, Loop LLOO, Type Standard Electric
- Site 18, Loop LLOO, Type Standard Electric
- Site 17D, Loop LLOO, Type Standard Electric
- Site 20, Loop RLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 14, Loop LLOO, Type Standard Electric
- Site 01, Loop RLOO, Type Standard Electric
- Site 09, Loop RLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 10, Loop RLOO, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 19, Loop LLOO, Type Standard Electric
- Site 03, Loop RLOO, Type Standard Electric
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