Kerr Scott Visitor Guide
 
About W. Kerr Scott Reservoir

W. Kerr Scott Reservoir is a beautiful lake set in the foothills of Northwest North Carolina.  Recreation areas ring the 55-mile shoreline of the lake. Popular activities include boating, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, camping and picnicking. Facilities at Kerr Scott include three campgrounds, four designated swimming areas, a marina, and a visitor center with a museum and bookstore.

The lake is nestled amid 3,754 acres of land in the Blue Ridge foothills. The forested hillsides above the reservoir are home to a wide variety of wildlife and several varieties of endangered plants.

The 1,475 acre reservoir was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1962 in response to devastating floods in 1916 and 1940.

Lake Map (pdf)
W. Kerr Scott Map

 
Directions to Kerr Scott Trails


From Winston-Salem, Greensboro, the Triangle and other points east:

From I-40 west in Winston-Salem, exit right onto U.S. 421 north (exit 188) toward Wilkesboro.
Travel approximately 49 miles on U.S. 421 north.
Take the N.C. 268 exit (exit 286B) in Wilkesboro.
Turn left at the traffic light at the bottom of the exit ramp.
Look for the large W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir sign.
To access the Overmountain Victory Trail and the Visitor Center, drive west on NC 268 3.0 miles. Turn right onto Reservoir Road at the big "W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir" sign. Proceed 0.4 mile and turn left at the Visitor Assistance Center sign.
To access Dark Mountain, drive west on NC 268 3.0 miles. Turn right onto Reservoir Road at the big "W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir" sign. Proceed 0.8 mile. Cross the dam and turn left at the flagpole to reach the parking area and trailhead.
To access Warrior Creek, drive west on NC 268 approximately 8 miles. Turn right at the campground sign and follow the access road to the campground.


From Charlotte, Mooresville, Statesville and other points south:

From I-77 north, exit right onto U.S. 421 north (exit 73-B) toward Wilkesboro.
Travel approximately 22 miles on U.S. 421 north.
Take the N.C. 268 exit (exit 286B) in Wilkesboro.
Turn left at the traffic light at the bottom of the exit ramp.
To access the Overmountain Victory Trail and the Visitor Center, drive west on NC 268 3.0 miles. Turn right onto Reservoir Road at the big "W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir" sign. Proceed 0.4 mile and turn left at the Visitor Assistance Center sign.
To access Dark Mountain, drive west on NC 268 3.0 miles. Turn right onto Reservoir Road at the big "W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir" sign. Proceed 0.8 mile. Cross the dam and turn left at the flagpole to reach the parking area and trailhead.
To access Warrior Creek, drive west on NC 268 approximately 8 miles. Turn right at the campground sign and follow the access road to the campground.


From Boone, West Jefferson and points west:

Take U.S. 421 south to the N.C. 268 exit (exit 286B).
Turn right at the traffic light at the bottom of the exit ramp.
To access the Overmountain Victory Trail and the Visitor Center, drive west on NC 268 2.8 miles. Turn right onto Reservoir Road at the big "W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir" sign. Proceed 0.4 mile and turn left at the Visitor Assistance Center sign.
To access Dark Mountain, drive west on NC 268 2.8 miles. Turn right onto Reservoir Road at the big "W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir" sign. Proceed 0.8 mile. Cross the dam and turn left at the flagpole to reach the parking area and trailhead.
To access Warrior Creek, drive west on NC 268 approximately 8 miles. Turn right at the campground sign and follow the access road to the campground.


From Lenoir, Taylorsville, Hickory and Morganton:

From N.C. 16-18 north, turn left onto U.S. 421 north (toward Boone).
Take the N.C. 268 exit (exit 286B) in Wilkesboro. (It's the first exit on U.S. 421 past N.C. 16-18.)
Turn left at the traffic light at the bottom of the exit ramp.
To access the Overmountain Victory Trail and the Visitor Center, drive west on NC 268 3.0 miles. Turn right onto Reservoir Road at the big "W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir" sign. Proceed 0.4 mile and turn left at the Visitor Assistance Center sign.
To access Dark Mountain, drive west on NC 268 3.0 miles. Turn right onto Reservoir Road at the big "W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir" sign. Proceed 0.8 mile. Cross the dam and turn left at the flagpole.
To access Warrior Creek, drive west on NC 268 approximately 8 miles. Turn right at the campground sign and follow the access road to the campground.

 
Where to Stay

Lodging is available in Wilkesboro, about a five minute drive from the Kerr Scott trailheads. Click here for Wilkesboro lodging information. The closest hotel is the Hampton Inn Wilkesboro, less than three miles from the Kerr Scott trailheads.
 
Bandits Roost Campground at Kerr Scott is six miles west of U.S. 421 on N.C. 268 west. Turn right onto Jess Walsh Road just past Goshen Volunteer Fire Department. Bandits Roost is the western trailhead for the Overmountain Victory Trail and you can bike from this campground to all the trails at Dark Mountain without ever getting on the highway. Bandits Roost is situated in a wooded area on the south shore of Kerr Scott Lake. The campground is open April 1 through October 31. Facilities include hot showers, flush toilets, potable water, playground, basketball court and  swimming area. 100 sites, some with hook-ups. RV camping is $20, tent camping $16. To reserve a campsite, call toll-free (877) 444-6777 or click here to reserve a space online.

Warrior Creek Campground is eight miles west of U.S. 421 on N.C. 268 west. Turn right at the Warrior Creek Campground sign. BMCC trailblazers are currently developing a seven mile network of singletrack looping the campground. The campground is situated in a wooded area along the Yadkin River and Kerr Scott Lake. Warrior Creek is open April 15 through October 15. Facilities include hot showers, flush toilets, potable water, playground, basketball court and  swimming area. 71 sites, some with RV hook-ups. RV camping is $20, tent camping $16. To reserve a campsite, call toll-free (877) 444-6777 or click here to reserve a space online.

Wildernet campground review: "I camped at W. Kerr Scott several times in the spring of 1999 at both the fee campgrounds and at the free campground at Marley's Ford a number times as well in my '84 VW Westfalia while on an extended vacation from California seeing what the rest of the country offered as a "wandering gypsy". This is on my top five recommended places to camp and hopefully I will return someday to North Carolina to visit and camp there again (sometimes I feel I can't wait to do this again!). The local folks are among the friendliest I encountered while visiting the Southeast USA 1999."

 
Where to Eat

Wilkesboro offers everything from fast food to fine dining, all just minutes from the trails. Ethnic options include Chinese, Italian, Japanese and Mexican. Click here for Wilkesboro dining options.

For a picnic or cook-out after your ride, visit the Fish Dam Creek Recreation Area, located near the Dark Mountain trailhead at the far end of W. Kerr Scott Dam.

Large group picnic shelters are located at the Visitor Assistance Center and Fish Dam Creek Recreation Area. Fee charged. Call (336) 921-3390 to reserve a picnic shelter.

 
Area Information and Links

W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir
Wilkesboro Area Tourism Information
Monthly Climate Summary (high and low temps, average rain and snowfall)
Wilkesboro Weather
Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail
Friends of W. Kerr Scott Lake website

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