W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir
RV Guide
Introduction
W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir is a dam located in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The reservoir is 1,475 acres large (56 miles of shoreline surround the reservoir) and is an artificial created by the dam. It is located on the Yadkin River. The dam was finished in 1962 to prevent flooding in the area. The dam is named after W. Kerr Scott, who was North Carolina’s governor at the time.
This dam and reservoir is very popular and offers many activities and attractions year-round. There are a variety of campgrounds for day use and overnight stays. Nearby activities include hiking, wildlife viewing, water sports, picnicking, fishing, camping, and boating. Check out our Kerr Lake State Recreation Area Guide.
The lake is open to the public, and most people visit the lake for fishing and boating. You can find a lot of bass in this lake, and many sports fishermen will come to this lake.
The area around the dam has many campgrounds and is extremely RV-friendly. You can find a campground right next to the reservoir and enjoy day-use campgrounds as well as overnight campgrounds.
RV Rentals in W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir
Transportation
Driving
It’s effortless to get to W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir and is located just west of Adley, NC. From highway 268, you can take Reservoir Rd to the dam and continue across the dam to reach the overlook. All along the road before and after the dam has many activities and campgrounds that you can access. The roads are easy to navigate even for large RVs.
At the end of Reservoir Roadd is a roundabout that allows even the largest vehicles and RVs to turn around to head back toward the dam. There is a visitor center and many parking lots around the dam that allows for vehicles, trailers, and RVs to park and go site seeing.
You can decide to park in a parking lot or at one of the many campgrounds and RV parks around the dam. From there, you can walk, hike, or bike your way around the beautiful dam and reservoir.
Parking
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir
Campsites in W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir
Reservations camping
W. Kerr Scott Campgrounds
There is an abundance of campgrounds in and around the W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir. Some of them are for day-use, but many allow overnight use. You can find RV-friendly campgrounds that have exceptional amenities and beautiful views of the reservoir. Don’t have an RV? Rent an RV in North Wilkesboro, NC here.
The abundance of campgrounds around the reservoir and near the dam provides hundreds of sites that can be used by RVs with full hookups and unique amenities at each campsite.
Besides overnight campgrounds, you will also find many day-use parks and sites, many of which provide boat launching, picnic sites, and more. Some of these day-use sites require a small fee for entry, while others only charge a fee for boat-ramp launching. You can find some parks that allow free entry to enjoy the day with your family when you walk into their park.
Some of the amenities these sites offer include nature trails, park benches, picnic sites, playgrounds, swim beaches, disc golf courses, basketball courts, boat launches, shelters, fishing piers, scenic views, and more.
Seasonal activities in W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir
In-Season
Fishing
Fishing is permitted in the reservoir, and fishermen usually fish in the reservoir for bass. You can also fish on the other side of the dam in the Yadkin River. There are a variety of inlets to the reservoir that you can get to via car, bike, or walking. You can fish from a boat, canoe, kayak, or the 56 miles of shoreline around the reservoir.
Some of the most popular fish you’ll find in the reservoir include channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, hybrid striped bass, bluegill, and threadfin shad.
Boating
There are a variety of opportunities to boat, kayak, or canoe along the reservoir. Because fishing is prevalent in the reservoir, boating opportunities are abundant. Whether you are fishing, doing water sports, or just having a fun time on the reservoir, boating is accessible around the dam.
There is usually enough space on the lake to be able to travel around without a lot of other boats in the water. However, the weekends bring more boaters, and holiday weekends make the lake more crowded than usual.
Water Sports
Multiple businesses run water sport rentals in the area, so if you're looking for something to get your adrenaline flowing, why not try renting a jet ski or going water skiing?
The reservoir will get very busy on holiday weekends, but most of the time you will be able to roam the lake without running into very many people. The reservoir is very large and allows for boats big and small.
Off-Season
Wildlife Viewing
The beautiful tree-filled surroundings of the reservoir host a diverse array of wildlife. Taking a walk around the reservoir or into the forest will allow you to see a lot of different wildlife, including deer, black bear, eastern cottontails and more. Birds include woodpeckers, ovenbirds, wood ducks, mallards, and Carolina chickadees. Traveling in groups is recommended when hiking and walking on trails around the reservoir, and you are urged to be be aware at all times.
Hiking
You can wander the paths that lead around the reservoir, or follow a variety of trails into the tree-surrounded forest areas that encompass the reservoir. You will find both flat trails as well as some steeper inclines.
The most popular trail in the area is the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail. Walking and hiking deeper into the forested areas might come with a bear sighting, so keep watch as you walk. The scenic views are beautiful wherever you hike.
Picnicking
Even outside of the many campgrounds, you will find public-use picnic areas that you can use free of charge. There are parts of the reservoir and also areas on the dam that allow for picnicking with family and friends. Some picnic sites are set up with a view, while others are deeper into the forest. Either way, you can take a break from the activities and enjoy a meal and some quiet time with your family at the reservoir.
Mountain Biking
Besides the hundreds of miles of trails that are used for hikers and walkers, there are also an additional 25 miles of trails for mountain biking that can be found in the Dark Mountain and Warrior Creek areas. Navigating to these areas are easy, and you can find parking near the trailheads. When biking on these trails, make sure to keep a look out for bears and other wildlife, as you will find quite a lot of small animals along the way. The mountain bike trails have flat areas as well as inclines and hills.
