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BUFFALO PARK

John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir · Virginia · Recreation.gov

BUFFALO PARK cancellation alerts

BUFFALO PARK is usually sold out. Get a free email when a cancellation opens: pick your dates and we check Recreation.gov every 30 minutes.

★ 4.7 (139 ratings) · 21 sites · $24–$68/night · Tent · RV · RV/Motorhome · Trailer · Caravan/Camper Van · Pickup Camper · Fifth Wheel · Pop up

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Infographic on steps that need to be completed before you go to your campsite.Buffalo ParkBuffalo ParkBuffalo Park Boat Ramp

About

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.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.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.Between 05/01/2025 and 09/30/2025 this location is staffed. Please call (434) 374-2063 to speak with local staff. From 10/01/2025 to 04/30/2026 this location is unstaffed. Please call (434) 738-6143 for general information.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. 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.

Amenities

Availability at BUFFALO PARK

CampFinder checks Recreation.gov every 30 minutes, around the clock, and emails you when a booked-up night opens back up. That catches most cancellations, which sit open for hours; at the few campgrounds that refill in seconds it can miss the race. Set up a free availability alert for BUFFALO PARK.