They are listed as follows; you are reserving the shelter only. If you have any questions, please call the nearest gatehouse. Their phone number can be found on the need-to-know section. Overnight camping is not allowed at the shelters or day use areas. You must pay the seven-dollar day use fee separately from the reservation. The seven-dollar day use fee is not included in your shelter reservation. Parking is first come, first serve. Enjoy your time at Rudds Creek Day Use Park!
This is the Rudds Creek boat ramp that is available to the public.
This is a picture of a picnic site at Rudds Creek Day Use Area. This site has timbers around it. There is a picnic table in the graveled area along with a small grill. There is a trash can located to the side of the picnic site.

Rudds Creek Rec Area Picnic Shelter

Closed — The day use area is open year-round; however, the picnic shelter is closed for the season. Reservations for 2026 are temporarily unavailable until March 4, 2026. A day use fee applies for all vehicles entering the park.

From Recreation.gov

The US Army Corps of Engineers at John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir have temporarily closed the 2026 reservation booking window until March 4, 2026. To learn more about this temporary closure, visit the John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir Facebook page for updates: [@JohnHKerrReservoirBuggsIslandLake][1] [1]: https://www.facebook.com/JohnHKerrReservoirBuggsIslandLake

About

Rudds Creek Rec Area Picnic Shelter is located in the day use park at Rudds Creek on John H. Kerr Reservoir (Buggs Island Lake), a 50,000-acre lake extending 39 miles along the wooded shoreline of the Roanoke River in Virginia and North Carolina. The shelter is situated in a forested setting offering ample shade, located 2 miles from Boydton, Virginia. The day use area provides a public boat ramp with courtesy dock, a designated swimming area with life jacket loaner station, and a playground. The picnic shelter does not have electricity but is located near restrooms with flush toilets. Numerous additional picnic tables and grills are scattered throughout the park. The reservoir is known for excellent fishing, with largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie, and flathead catfish available. Public lands around the lake offer hunting with appropriate Virginia state licenses, and 26 Wildlife Management Areas provide year-round hiking, wildlife viewing, and birding. The 5.5-mile Robert Munford Trail is within a short drive. Buggs Island attracts migrating bald eagles in winter and osprey in summer. A marina is located less than a mile away, and the Corps Visitor Assistance Center is 30 minutes away at Kerr Dam.

Directions

Rudds Creek Recreation Area is located at 16065 U.S. 58, Boydton, VA 23917, approximately 2 miles west of Boydton. From Boydton, travel west on U.S. Highway 58; the park entrance will be on the right.

Nearby Campgrounds

Amenities

Water Yes
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station No
Wifi No
Pets Allowed Yes
Showers No
Electric Hookups No
Water Hookups No
Sewer Hookups No
Camp Store No
Price $50

Vehicle

Max RV Length
Max Trailer Length
Big Rig Friendly
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Email jhkerr@usace.army.mil
Phone +1 (434) 738-6030

Cell Service

AT&T Yes
Verizon Yes
T-Mobile Yes

Availability

Photos

They are listed as follows; you are reserving the shelter only. If you have any questions, please call the nearest gatehouse. Their phone number can be found on the need-to-know section. Overnight camping is not allowed at the shelters or day use areas. You must pay the seven-dollar day use fee separately from the reservation. The seven-dollar day use fee is not included in your shelter reservation. Parking is first come, first serve. Enjoy your time at Rudds Creek Day Use Park!
This is the Rudds Creek boat ramp that is available to the public.
This is a picture of a picnic site at Rudds Creek Day Use Area. This site has timbers around it. There is a picnic table in the graveled area along with a small grill. There is a trash can located to the side of the picnic site.
This is the picnic shelter located in the Rudds Creek Day Use Area. There are picnic tables located under the covered shelter. There is a large grill located on the side of the building. There are trash cans located throughout the park.
While you are here, there are some rules and regulations that we need you to follow. Here at John H. Kerr Dam we follow the Title 36 Rules and Regulations. You can find the link to the full list by going to the need to know section or by scanning the QR code on this infographic. The infographic talks about just a few that we deal with the most and they are listed as follows. Title 36 Section 327.2 talks about vehicles. Title 36 Section 327.9 talks about sanitation. Title 36 Section 327.12 talks about restrictions. Title 36 Section 327.7 talks about camping. Title 36 Section 327.10 talks about fires. Title 36 Section 327.11 talks about control of animals.
This is the Rudds Creek Day Use Area designated swimming area. There is a life jacket loaner station that is available for recreators to borrow and return a life jacket at no cost.
This is a picture of the playground located in the Rudds Creek Day Use Area. This playground has 3 slides.

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