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. As it follows the old road, the trail is blazed with purple. In about a mile, a blue-blazed road splits to the left. Follow this for about a half-mile to the Robert Munson Cemetery. A white-blazed trail makes a loop back to the main trail and purple blazes. The trail continues following the shore of the lake, ending near the Eagle Point Boat Ramp, but we didn't hike the entire way.

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.

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:

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/