Bandits Roost
W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: WILKESBORO, NC, NC
Price: From $20 per night
Price range: $20–$85 per night
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (930 reviews)
Season: May through October
Bandits Roost Campground is located on the south side of W. Kerr Scott Reservoir in western North Carolina. Constructed in the beautiful Yadkin River Valley, the lake offers extensive opportunities for outdoor recreational activities.The campground offers 102 campsites, including 17 tents sites and 85 standard sites with water and electric hookups.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Drinking Water, Showers, Dump Station, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/bandits-roost to be notified when sites open up.
Bandits Roost offers 103 sites on W. Kerr Scott Reservoir with excellent fishing (channel catfish, bass, bluegill, striped bass) and water activities like boating, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming. At $20/night, it's an affordable base for exploring the 1,475-acre lake in the Yadkin River Valley.
Wildlife alert: North American River Otters have been documented in the area. Eastern Bluebirds, Canada Geese, and Mallards are common. Watch for Eastern Six-lined Racerunners.
Insider tips for Bandits Roost: Book early — this is a federal campground with high demand Only select sites have electric hookups; most sites lack water/sewer, so plan accordingly or choose a site with hookups in advance Launch from the boat launch for direct access to the 1,475-acre reservoir's fishing and water activities
Skip Bandits Roost if: You need full hookups (water/sewer) — only electric available on select sites. You're visiting outside May-October — seasonal operations only.
Best time to visit Bandits Roost: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Berry Mountain Park Shelter (Wilkesboro, NC), Fort Hamby Park (WILKESBORO, NC), Dam Site Shelter (Wilkesboro, NC), Fish Dam Creek Park (Wilkesboro, NC).
Cell Phone Coverage at Bandits Roost
Cell signal at Bandits Roost (WILKESBORO, NC): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Bandits Roost Campground is located on the south side of W. Kerr Scott Reservoir in western North Carolina. Constructed in the beautiful Yadkin River Valley, the lake offers extensive opportunities for outdoor recreational activities.The campground offers 102 campsites, including 17 tents sites and 85 standard sites with water and electric hookups.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with high demand
Only select sites have electric hookups; most sites lack water/sewer, so plan accordingly or choose a site with hookups in advance
Launch from the boat launch for direct access to the 1,475-acre reservoir's fishing and water activities
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Winston-Salem, North Carolina, take Highway 421 North (approximately 55 miles) to Exit 286B, turn left onto Highway 268 and continue for approximately 5 miles. Turn right onto Jess Walsh Road. Campground entrance is located at the end of the road. From Charlotte, North Carolina, take I-77 North (approximately 60 miles) before merging onto Highway 421 North towards Wilkesboro/Boone. Continue to Exit 286B (approximately 20 miles), turn left onto Highway 268 and continue for approximately 5 mi
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Bandits Roost cost per night?+
What season is Bandits Roost open?+
Does Bandits Roost have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Bandits Roost?+
How do I make reservations at Bandits Roost?+
What is the cell service like at Bandits Roost?+
What season is Bandits Roost open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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