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Canoeing & Boating
Lower Piedmont rivers & lakes offer peace and serenity

Buggs Island Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir)
This lake, which straddles the Virginia-North Carolina border, is traditionally called Buggs Island Lake by Virginians. An impoundment of the Roanoke River, it is a sprawling 50,000-acre reservoir with 800 miles of shoreline. It extends some 39 miles up the Roanoke River. Buggs Island is a deep-water lake and depths reach 90 ft. near the dam, with average depths of 31 ft. There are no boating restrictions on Buggs Island Lake and its size favors those with big motors. Water sports and fishing are the most popular forms of recreation. Various agencies maintain boat-launching ramps around the lake. For lake level information, call (434) 738-6371 (24 hrs.), and for general information, call (434) 738-6143 or 738-6662. For Here is a list of some of the parks and recreation areas surrounding this lake:

Federal Recreation Areas operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:

North Bend Park and Marina: Wooded area on the north side of the lake just upstream from the Kerr Dam. Three concrete boat ramps with parking. Camping, beaches, showers, flush toilets. There is a ramp fee.
Directions: Off of Rt. 58 between South Hill and Boydton, take Rt. 678 to the intersection with 615.
Call: (434) 738-6662. Season: (434) 738-0059

Eastland Creek State Park: Concrete boat ramp and parking.
Directions: At the end of Rt. 824, about five miles from the Kerr Dam.

Longwood Park: Wooded area with picnic area and shelter, camping, showerhouse. Concrete boat ramp and parking. There is a ramp fee.
Directions: Off of Rt. 15, about seven miles south of Clarksville.
Call: (434) 374-2711

Rudds Creek Recreation Area: Two concrete boat ramps and parking. There is a ramp fee. Beaches, camping, showerhouse.
Directions: On Rt. 58, two miles west of Boydton.
Call: (434) 738-6827

Bluestone Landing: Concrete boat ramp and parking. Day use fees.
Directions: Off of Rt. 15, about five miles north of Clarksville.

Staunton View Park: Concrete boat ramp and parking. Picnic area.
Directions: Off of Rt. 15 at the end of Rt. 699. Across the lake from Staunton River State Park.

Buffalo Park: Concrete boat ramp and parking. Camping, picnic area, beach, comfort station with outdoor showers. Day use fee.
Directions: Off Rt. 58 at the dead end of Rt. 722.
Call: (434) 374-2063

Ivy Hill Park: Concrete boat ramp and parking. Picnic area with shelter, camping, beach. Day use fees.
Directions: At the dead end of Rt. 825 about two miles northeast of Island Creek Dam and Pumping Station.

Island Creek Recreation Area: Concrete boat ramp and parking. Day use fees.
Directions: On Rt. 825 about 12 miles southeast of Clarksville.

Eagle Point Landing: Concrete boat ramp and parking. Hiking trail.
Directions: At the dead end of Rt. 795 about five miles south of Boydton.

Palmer Point Day Use Area: Concrete boat ramp and parking. Picnic area with shelter, beach. Day use fees.
Directions: At the end of Rt. 827 about three miles south of the Kerr Dam.

State Parks on Buggs Island Lake:

Staunton River State Park

Located on the tip of a peninsula formed by the confluence of the Staunton and Dan Rivers. Lengthy shorelines and access to the headwaters of the state's largest lake are two of the attractions for boaters and anglers. Facilities include campgrounds, picnic areas, swimming pool, and cabins. Boat launching ramp.
Access: Eighteen miles east of South Boston. Take Rt. 360, then Rt. 344 for 10 miles.
Call: (434) 572-4623

Occoneechee State Park

This 2,100-acre state park has campgrounds, picnic areas, and boat launching ramps. Contact the park for more information.
Directions: Near Clarksville, 1.5 miles east on U.S. 58 east near the U.S. 15 intersection.
Call: (434) 374-2210 or (804) 786-1712 for general information.
Web site: www.state.va.us/%7Edcr/parks/occoneec.htm#General

Buggs Island Lake Marinas

Clarksville Marina: David Diamond, operator.
Call: (434) 374-8501

Lake Gaston
Downstream from Buggs Island Lake, this 20,300-acre lake is, like its larger neighbor, a deep-water lake with lots of shoreline. There are no boating restrictions.
Access: Interstate 85 and U.S. 1 both cross the lake and several secondary roads provide access from U.S. 58 to the north.
Call: (434) 848-3133

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Lakes
Designed with the angler in mind, these relatively small lakes are also good boating destinations. Most prohibit or limit the size of outboard motors so they are great getaways for canoe paddlers and kayakers. All are set in beautiful, bucolic piedmont locations.

Lake Amelia
A Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries(VDGIF) impoundment, 100-acre Lake Amelia lies within the Amelia Wildlife Management Area. No gasoline outboards are allowed. The lake is open from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset or as posted. A concrete boat ramp and handicapped accessible fishing pier round out the amenities.
Access: Between U.S. 60 and 360. From 360 west of Richmond go north on Rte. 604, turn left on 616, then right on 652. From 60 west of Richmond, go south on 622 at Flat Rock, right on 610, then right on 604, right on 616, and right again on 652.
Call: VDGIF Farmville Field Office at (434) 392-9645

Briery Creek Lake
No gas engines are allowed on this 845-acre lake because of the hidden stumps. Gasoline motors up to 10 hp. are allowed, but boaters are cautioned to watch out for submerged stumps and timber. Concrete boat ramp, pier, and numerous access points along the bank.
Access: Seven miles south of Farmville. Take 15 south from 460 at Farmville or north from 360 at Keysville to Rt. 790.
Call: VDGIF Farmville Field Office at (434) 392-9645

Lake Brunswick
Due to its heavily wooded shoreline, 150-acre Lake Brunswick's waters are stained brown with tannin, a color more typical of Eastern Virginia lakes. No gas motors are allowed and there is only one boat ramp at the lake.
Access: Eight miles northeast of Lawrenceville. Go east on U.S. 58 from Lawrenceville, turn left onto County Pond Road (Rt. 638) and go 2.1 miles to the boat ramp.
Call: VDGIF Farmville Field Office at (434) 392-9645

Lake Conner
Despite its relatively small size - 110 acres - Lake Conner is a quiet respite from its larger neighbor - Buggs Island -- in the vicinity. No gasoline motors are allowed and there is only one boat ramp.
Access: From U.S. 360 take Rt. 746 to Rt. 603 on the left, then right on Rt. 619 to Rt. 623 east to Rt. 624 south.
Call: VDGIF Farmville Field Office at (434) 392-9645

Lake Gordon
Rolling farmland surrounds this 157-acre lake, providing the boater with quintessential piedmont views. Gas motors up to 10 hp. are allowed but beware of those stumps! One boat ramp and parking area.
Access: Take U.S. 1 south and Rt. 58 west out of South Hill to Rt. 664, turn right onto Lake Road.
Call: VDGIF Farmville Field Office at (434) 392-9645

Horsepen Lake
This small, 19-acre lake in the WMA of the same name is a great place to bring the kids. The lake is also fairly remote and surrounded by rolling hills, so the family seeking solitude won't be disappointed. One boat ramp and parking facility. Covered picnic shelter.
Access: From U.S. 60 take Rt. 638 and look for a sign directing you to the lake on the left.
Call: VDGIF Farmville Field Office at (434) 392-9645

Lake Nottoway
At 188 acres, Lake Nottoway accepts boats with outboard motors up to 10 hp. You can also fish 24 hours a day here if you so desire. When the lake was impounded in 1978, the department left a great deal of flooded standing timber as well as sunken log piles, so be careful with outboards. Concrete boat ramp and parking facilities.
Access: From Rt. 460 west, exit right onto Rt. 606 and drive about 5.1 miles to the lake entrance.
Call: VDGIF Farmville Field Office at (434) 392-9645

Sandy River Reservoir
One of the newest VDGIF fishing lakes, this 845-acre impoundment restricts outboard motor use to 10 hp. or less. There is a handicap accessible double boat ramp with courtesy pier and a 150-ft. fishing pier. Paved parking.
Access: Five miles east of Farmville, just south of 460 on Rt. 640
Call: (434) 392-8837

Lake Chesdin
This 3,060-acre lake is located on the Appomattox River and forms the boundary between Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, and Amelia counties. A fairly deep flat-water lake, boaters are warned to stay clear of the dam. There is a fishing pier and boat launch located on Lake Chesdin Rd. (Rt. 776).
Access: Off Rt. 36, take either 602, 628, or 636. Off Rt. 226, take 601, 708, 611, or 623. Call: (804) 467-4550

Great Creek Watershed Lake
This 212-acre stocked lake in Brunswick County is home to not just bass, redear sunfish, bluegill and channel catfish. There are also osprey and wood ducks. There is a ramp and plenty of parking. Call (434) 848-6773 for directions and info.

State Forests, Parks & Rivers

Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest
Within the Forest are two lakes, Holliday Lake located at Holliday Lake State Park, and Slate River Watershed. Holliday is a good, clear lake with cold, relatively deep waters. Neither lake allows outboard gas motors.
Access: For Holliday Lake, go east on Route 460 from Lynchburg through Appomattox. Take Route 24, right on 626, left on 640, and right on 692. Slate River Watershed is located off of Route 640 in Buckingham County.
Call: (434) 983-2175 (Slate River) or (434) 248-6308 (Holliday Lake)

Cumberland State Forest
There are five lakes located within this Forest - Oak Hill Lake (six acres), Arrowhead Lake (six acres), Winston Lake (10 acres), and Bonbrook Lake (six acres). Most of them are glorified ponds, but good for peaceful flat water canoeing. No outboard gas motors allowed. Bear Creek Lake, located at Bear Creek Lake State Park is a 40-acre lake with a boat launch, fishing pier, and boat rentals. In addition, canoe ramps are located along the Willis River, with one located off of Lower Oak Hill Forest Rd., and one off of Arrowhead Lake Forest Rd.
Access: The Forest is located north of Rt. 60 and west of Rt. 45. Oak Hill, Arrowhead, and Winston Lakes are all located off of Rt. 629, and Bonbrook is located off of Route 626. Bear Creek Lake, from Rt. 60 west of Richmond, go northwest on 622, then southwest on 629.
Call: (804) 492-4121

Prince Edward - Gallion State Forest
Twin Lakes State Park within the Forest contains, yes, twin lakes. The larger, more isolated one is named Prince Edward Lake, while its smaller sister is named Goodwin Lake. Canoeing is allowed at both of these relatively small lakes. Prince Edward Lake has a boat launch area.
Access: Five miles southwest of Burkeville. Take U.S. 360 west to Burkeville, then to Rt. 613 north, then 629 to the park.
Call: (434) 392-3435

James River State Park
Access to the James River is available here in one of the state's newest parks. Two canoe ramps and three miles of shoreline within the 1,442-acre park ensure good paddling. The middle James is wide and fairly shallow, making it a good place to start for the novice to intermediate paddler.
Access: Located in Buckingham County. From Rt. 60 west turn right on Rt. 605 at the James River Bridge and go seven miles and turn left at Rt. 606. James River VDGIF boat ramps are located at Columbia, Cartersville, and New Canton.
Call: (804) 933-4355 or (804) 367-1000

Fort Pickett
Fort Pickett has a 384-acre reservoir and a combination of twelve ponds and lakes ranging in size from 2.5 to 51 acres. Fort Pickett Reservoir has no restrictions on outboard motor use, though there is a maximum speed limit of 25 mph. Boat motors no larger than 35 hp. may be used on all other Fort Pickett waters. Purchase boating permits from the Fort Pickett Check Station (off Military Road, building 420) or Bevills True Value Hardware in Blaskstone. Conventional and primitive boat ramps are available.
Directions: Located south of U.S. 460, north and south of State Route 40, east of Blackstone.
Call: (434) 292-2618 or (434) 292-2272

James River
In the upper part of Southside, the James is still a relatively swift-flowing stream. There are lots of Class I-II rapids, riffles, and rock gardens. Braided channels are interwoven among islands of all shapes and sizes, providing good overnight camping spots. Perhaps the definitive middle James run is from Scottsville on the Fluvanna-Buckingham line to Bremo Bluff. This is a long 13-mile stretch, but worth a full day or overnight trip for the chance to wind your way between wooded islands. It feels remote, with the wide channel (100-200 ft.) full of good swimming and fishing holes and secluded picnic spots.
Access: Scottsville: Town of Scottsville between Rt. 20 and Rt. 6.
New Canton: From Arvonia, Rt. 15 north about 2 miles, east on Rt. 670, north beyond P.O. (1/2/mi.).
Call: James River Runners (434) 286-2338

Appomattox River
A major tributary of the James River, the Appomattox is a typical slow piedmont river. Appomattox Riverside Park provides good canoe access. Paddlers can also explore remnants of the historic canal system. Flatwater with a few Class II rapids. Watch out for debris and beaver dams. The 6.5-mile run from Chesdin Dam to Matoaca Bridge on Rt. 36 has Class II-III rapids, rock gardens, and islands. Watch out for a dam 200-300 yards below the Rt. 36 bridge.
Access: The VDGIF boat ramp on Lake Chesdin, an impoundment on the river, is a good place to put in.
Call: Appomattox River Company (434) 392-6645

Nottoway River
Like the Meherrin, to which it largely runs parallel, this river flows into North Carolina and Albemarle Sound. In the upper part of Southside, the river is relatively fast moving. It is a popular fishing and canoeing destination due to good public access from VDGIF boat ramps.
Access: The VDGIF maintains a number of boat ramps - one, The Falls, is on the border of Nottoway and Lunenburg counties.
Call: (434) 367-1000

Roanoke (Staunton) River
This river starts out as a fast stream in the mountains near Roanoke, but by the time it reaches Southside near Buggs Island Lake, it slows down considerably as the water backs up. Before this happens, however, an 11-mile run from Long Island to Brookneal skirts along the border of Halifax and Campbell counties. A good Class I-II run for novices, the run is attractive because of the remains of numerous historic bateaux towing walls and sluices.
Access: VDGIF boat ramps at the town of Long Island, off Rt. 761 to the town of Brookneal off Rt. 40 & 501 south. Other VDGIF boat ramps along the river can be found at Clover and Watkins Bridge in Halifax county.
Call: Appomattox River Company (434) 392-6645

Willis River
This slow piedmont stream begins in the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest and flows through the Cumberland State Forest as well. A major tributary of the James River, the Willis offers good access to fishing and canoeing in both State Forests. Canoe ramps are located at various areas in both Forests.
Access: In the Cumberland SF, canoe ramps are located off of Lower Oak Hill Forest Rd. and down river off of Arrowhead Lake Forest Rd.
Call: (804) 492-4121

James River
In the upper part of Virginia's Retreat, the James River is still a relatively swift-flowing river. There are lots of Class I and II rapids, riffles and rock gardens. Braided channels are interwoven among islands of all shapes and sizes. One popular run is the 13-mile float from Scottsville to Bremo Bluff. The James offers something for everyone with the wide channel (100-200 ft) full of good swimming, fishing holes and secluded picnic spots. VDGIF ramps offer access to the James River at Columbia, Cartersville, Bent Creek and New Canton. Every June, enjoy the annual Batteaux Festival.

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