Tailrace Park
John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir — lakeside, fishing
Location: South Hill, VA, VA
Price: From $50 per night
Rating: 4 out of 5 (0 reviews)
Season: Year-round
Tailrace Park is located just below John H. 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. Kerr Reservoir, also known as Buggs Island Lake, was created with the construction of the John H.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 0%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/tailrace-park to be notified when sites open up.
Tailrace Park offers breathtaking views of the John H. Kerr Dam and access to a 50,000-acre reservoir with 800 miles of wooded shoreline. Excellent fishing opportunities including blue catfish, plus boating, paddling, and photography activities.
Wildlife alert: Northern Cottonmouth snakes present in area. Also watch for American Beaver, River Otter, Osprey, Common Loon, and Southeastern Mud Turtle.
Insider tips for Tailrace Park: Book early—this is a federal campground with limited availability Good fishing access for blue catfish; bring fishing gear Visit the dam itself for impressive photo opportunities
Skip Tailrace Park if: You need hookups—no hookups available at most sites. You prefer solitude—campground is busy with trash reported by visitors.
Best time to visit Tailrace Park: Year-round — Campground operates year-round, though seasonal operations noted in known issues.
Nearby campgrounds: Old Picnic Area (John H Kerr) (Boydton , VA), North Bend Park Osage Picnic Shelter (Boydton, VA), North Bend Park (Boydton, VA), Palmer Point Park (South Hill, VA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Tailrace Park
Cell signal at Tailrace Park (South Hill, VA): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 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.
Tailrace Park is located just below John H. 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. Kerr Reservoir, also known as Buggs Island Lake, was created with the construction of the John H.
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 limited availability
Good fishing access for blue catfish; bring fishing gear
Visit the dam itself for impressive photo opportunities
Campground operates year-round, though seasonal operations noted in known issues
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
The physical address for Tailrace Park is 5458 Buggs Island Road Boydton, Virginia 23917. Tailrace Park is approximately 17 miles south of South Hill, Virginia.
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 — John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Tailrace Park cost per night?+
What season is Tailrace Park open?+
Does Tailrace Park have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Tailrace Park?+
How do I make reservations at Tailrace Park?+
What is the cell service like at Tailrace Park?+
What season is Tailrace Park open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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