North Bend Park Osage Picnic Shelter sits among the stunning landscapes of John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir in Virginia . With 35 campsites (RV-friendly up to 45 feet feet) , restrooms, great hiking, it's a favorite for rural adventurers.
Reservations are required year-round , and the best times to visit are Apr-jun, Sep-Oct when the weather is most comfortable .
🌈 PurpleTents helps LGBTQ+ campers discover welcoming outdoor experiences here and across America.
🏕️ At a Glance
💳 Booking & Fees
Cancellations made 3+ days before arrival typically receive a refund minus service fees. Check Recreation.gov for specific policies and deadlines.
💧 Water Access & Features
📸 Discover the Beauty of John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir
🌤️ Best Time to Visit
Plan your trip during the optimal season for this campground.
🦅 Peak birding: Apr, May, Sep
🦌 Recent Wildlife Sightings
Recent wildlife observations near this campground from the iNaturalist community.
North Bend Park Osage Picnic Shelter located in Phillis, Virginia, offering 35 camping sites.
North Bend Park Osage Picnic Shelter
A Rural campground in Virginia
Overview
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.
There Are 26 Wildlife Management Areas Around the Lake That Provide Year-Round Opportunities for Hiking, Wildlife Viewing, Birding and More. Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Regulate Hunting and Fishing on the Virginia Side of Kerr Lake.
Visitors to North Bend Park Will Enjoy the Lakeside Views and Wildlife Watching.
Wildlife Viewing Is Popular Just Below Kerr Dam, Where Waterfowl and Bald Eagles Can Be Observed Year Around.
North Bend Park Is Located on John H. North Bend Is the Largest Park on Kerr Lake and Is Located Near Kerr Dam and the Corps Visitor Assistance Center.
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 and Two States and Offer Countless Recreation Opportunities for Visitors.
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. 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 1.5-Mile Liberty Nature Trail and 5.5-Mile Robert Munford Trail Both Offer Hikes 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. North Bend Park Has a Large Day Use Area with Picnic Shelters and a Swim Beach, 3 Boat Launching Ramps, an Amphitheater, a Disc Golf Course and a Paved 1.5 Mile Bicycle Trail. the Osage Picnic Shelter Is the Only Shelter That Can Be Reserved. the Shelter in the Day Use Area Is Open to the Public.
North Bend Park Is Forested and Offers Plenty of Shade. the Shelter Is Shaded and Near an Accessible Fishing Pier and Restrooms. This Area, Called Tailrace Park, Has a Wheelchair Accessible Canoe/Kayak Launch Into the River, and Is Part of the Virginia Blueways Trail.
Nearby Attractions
About a Half-Mile Away, at the Intersection of Mays Chapel Road and State Route 4, Visitors Will Find the Joseph S. J. Tanner Ii Environmental Education Center. the Center Has Interpretive Programs and Exhibits for the Public From Memorial Day Through Labor Day, on Saturdays and Sundays.
Gas, Groceries, Firewood and Restaurants Are Located Within 2 Miles and Also Within 20 Minutes in Boydton and South Hill, Virginia.
Managed by: Us Army Corps of EngineersSite Details
Campsite Information
- Total Sites: 35
- Hookup Types: Electric
- Max RV Length: 45 feet
Amenities
- 🚻 Restrooms: Available
- 🚿 Showers: No
- 🗑️ Dump Station: No
- 💧 Potable Water: No
- 🛝 Playground: No
- 🧺 Laundry: False
- 📶 WiFi: False
- 🏊 Swimming: Available
- 🎣 Fishing: Available
- 🛥️ Boating: Available
- 🥾 Hiking: Available
Map & Location
Address & Coordinates
Address:
City: Phillis, Virginia
Coordinates: 36.594811, -78.311129
Area Type: Rural
Phone: 1-877-444-6777
Activities & Attractions
Popular Activities: Fishing|hiking|biking|picnic|restroom|water|beach|lake|river|trail|rv|shelter|amphitheater
Available Activities:
- 🎣 Fishing: Available
- 🛥️ Boating: Available
- 🥾 Hiking: Available
- 🏊 Swimming: Available
Regulations & Permits
🔥 Stay Limits & Fees
Maximum Stay: 14 days
Nightly Fee: $29-39
Federal Pass: Yes (50% discount)
🌤️ Weather & Climate
Summer High
Winter Low
Annual Precip
Hottest Month
Coldest Month
Best Visit Time
📱 Connectivity
Verizon
Fair Signal
LTE
AT&T
Fair Signal
LTE
T-Mobile
Poor Signal
4G
📺 Television Reception
Major Networks: ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, CW
Signal Quality: Fair
Total Stations: 13 stations
Nearest Market: Norfolk/Richmond/Washington Dc
Notes: Signals FROM Norfolk/Richmond/Washington Dc MARKET
📻 Radio Reception
Total Stations: 25 stations (8 AM, 17 FM)
AM Quality: Good | FM Quality: Good
Major Formats: Country, HIP-HOP, NEWS/TALK
Local News: WRVA 1140 Am
Market: Norfolk/Richmond/Dc
Notes: 8 AM, 17 FM Stations from Norfolk/Richmond/DC
🔌 EV Charging
⚡ Kahill’s Restaurant – Tesla Supercharger
Distance: 15.7 miles away
Address: 1791 North Mecklenburg Avenue, South Hill, VA
Network: tesla
Charging Type: Fast-charging-available • Tesla
Plan Your Visit
Essential Information
- Facility ID: 10286337
- Managing Agency: Us Army Corps of Engineers
- Agency Email: recreation.gov
- Agency Website: https://www.recreation.gov/
- Parent Park: John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir
- Park Website: /parks/john-h-kerr-dam-reservoir/
Park System Information
Park Classification & Structure
- Park Type: Other
- Parks Post Name: john-h-kerr-dam-reservoir
- Parent Park Name: John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir
- Correct Park Type Mapping: john-h-kerr-dam-reservoir
System Statistics
- Total Campgrounds in System: 14.0
- States Covered: Virginia
- Managing Agencies: Us Army Corps of Engineers
System IDs & References
- Parent Organization ID: 130.0
- Parent Recreation Area ID: 458
- Parks Parent Org IDs: 130.0
- Parks Parent Rec Area IDs: 458
URL Slugs & Navigation
- State Slug: virginia
- Agency Slug: us-army-corps-of-engineers
- Park Type Slug: other
- Parent Park Slug: john-h-kerr-dam-and-reservoir
Additional Park Information
Data Reference Notes
Managing Agency Slug: us-army-corps-of-engineers
Explore More Camping Options
View all campgrounds in Virginia | Browse our Virginia camping guide
Other Campgrounds in This Park
Explore more camping options in the same park system: