John H. Kerr Dam & Reservoir

John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir is a 50,000-acre lake, surrounded by 55,000 acres of public land managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers in Virginia and North Carolina. Kerr Lake, also called Buggs Island Lake, was constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers in the 1950s to provide flood control on the Roanoke River and for hydroelectric power generation. The Army Corps of Engineers manages 26 wildlife management areas around the lake for hunting and wildlife viewing, as well as a number of campgrounds and day-use areas with boat ramps and other amenities.

Contact Information:

1930 Mays Chapel Road
Boydton, VA 23917

Phone: (434) 738-6101
Email: jhkerr@usace.army.mil

Map:

Trails:

Robert Munson Trail:

Robert Munson Trail is a 7-mile trail along the lake shore of Kerr Reservoir. The western trailhead is at the small parking area for Greenwood Wildlife Management Area. The trail follows an old road behind some houses before heading deeper into the woods.  A split leads to the Robert Munson Cemetery then rejoins the main trail.  The trail ends at Eagle Point along Taylor Ferry Road.

Points of Interest:

Robert Munford Cemetery:

Robert Munford Cemetery is located along the Robert Munford Trail in Greenwood Wildlife Management Area. Robert Munford III was a prominent citizen of early Mecklenburg County. He served under General George Washington in the French and Indian War and American Revolution. He was best known as a playwright who wrote the first comedic plays written in America.

Other Areas:

The Army Corps of Engineers leases out land around the lake to other state and local agencies to manage as public recreation areas.

Kerr Lake State Recreation Area

Kerr Lake State Recreation Area is a State Park consisting of several recreation areas on the North Carolina side of the lake.

Occoneechee State Park

Occoneechee State Park is a Virginia State Park near Clarksville with hiking, camping and cabins.

Wildlife:

American holly (Ilex opaca) is commonly found along the lake. It produces bright red berries in the winter, which are an important for birds when other food sources are scarce.

Blog Entries:

01-Nov-2025: Munford Trail Hike

19-Jan-2019: Kerr Lake Hikes

External Links:

US Army Corps of Engineers website: https://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Locations/District-Lakes-and-Dams/John-H-Kerr/