Escape the hustle and bustle of urban living when you travel to Kerr Lake, located on the North Carolina and Virginia border. Luscious green rolling hills and picturesque valleys are a main feature in this area, and add to the beauty of the lake. It takes about 40 minutes to get to Kerr Lake from the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area, and you’ll enjoy the drive. Choosing a vacation rental on Kerr Lake is a fantastic choice for your family’s special vacation. You can choose from hillside cabins and lakefront cottages that will give you ample time to relax, recharge, and have fun. Here are the seven best places to find a vacation rental near Kerr Lake.
1. Henderson, North Carolina
Set your suitcases down and take a deep, refreshing breath when you arrive at your vacation rental in Henderson. Located on the southern end of Kerr Lake, this is the closest place to go if you are traveling from Raleigh. Stroll or cruise along in your car the 16 blocks that make up downtown Henderson. You’ll see lots of cute shops, restaurants, and galleries here. Be sure to check out the Pisgah Gem Mine gift shop, Oma’s Healing Garden, A Walk in the Woods Gallery, Roots and Appalachian Bistro.
2. Middleburg, North Carolina
Find any type of vacation rental in or near Middleburg, which is just north of Henderson and closer to the water. Staying here will put you within a few minutes of Satterwhite Recreation Area, part of the Kerr Lake State Recreation Area. Satterwhite Point Marina is a great place to rent boats, and there are lots of picnic tables, small hiking trails, and places to swim. There is a park office and visitor center here, so this is a good place to come to get more information about the area. From Middleburg, you can also visit historic landmarks, including Pleasant Hill Plantation and the Stainback Brothers farms. Make sure to treat yourself to a delicious Sunday brunch at the Middleburg Steak and Seafood House, or drive just a few miles southwest to Henderson to try the Nunnery-Freeman BBQ Restaurant.
3. Williamsboro, North Carolina
Across the lake from Middleburg, let the quaint town of Williamsboro charm you with the oldest standing wood-frame church in the state. St. John’s Episcopal Church dates back to 1772, and you are welcome to visit. The gently rolling hills of the area provide a gorgeous backdrop for scenic treasures like Belvidere, a plantation house built in 1850. You can find a comfortable waterfront or woodsy vacation rental here, and will have a lot of opportunities to see local wildlife in the fields and forests nearby.
4. Townsville, North Carolina
Go truly rural when you book your vacation spot in Townsville, a few minutes north of Williamsboro. Just west of the lake, enjoy the rustic cabins or lakefront rentals for your family’s laid-back vacation. On your way to the lake, stop to grab some of the area’s best ice cream at Pegram’s Dairy Bar, just about three miles west of the lake. Head to Steele Creek Marina for all your boat rental needs, and don’t leave without having a meal at Olde Farmhouse Restaurant for the experience. Be aware that because Townsville is so small, the closest grocery store is in nearby Williamsboro.
5. Woodworth, North Carolina
Right on the border with Virginia, Woodworth will make you feel like you are very, very far away from urban life. This town is on the northwest part of the lake, about three miles from the Virginia state line. Cruise the countryside to enjoy the scenery of the Piedmont plateau region beautiful valleys and forests. Along the way, look for historic barns and outbuildings that dot the farms and fields. If you’re bringing your own boat, you’ll enjoy the easy access to Henderson Point Boat Ramp.
6. Clarksville, Virginia
Close to Merifield Wildlife Management Area and Beaver Pond Creek Wildlife Management Area, this is a great place to go if you love hiking and being in nature. Golf lovers will appreciate the easy access to Kinderton Country Club, and you can tour the historic Prestwould Plantation. Take the kids for a walk on the lovely hiking trails in the wildlife areas before heading to Bobcat’s Bait and Tackle to get everything you need for some fishing fun. Longwood Park is a beautiful place for a picnic on the water. Clarksville is big enough to have a YMCA, movie theater, regional museum, and public library, so it’s a great place to go if you want to have more things to do. Don’t leave without having a meal at Coopers Landing Inn & Traveler’s Tavern!
7. Northwest Side of Kerr Lake, Virginia
With more natural areas such as Hogan Creek Wildlife Management Area and Bluestone Wildlife Management Area, you can enjoy the serenity of nature while being close to the amenities and entertainment in Clarksville. Occoneechee Marina is the closest place to go for your boating needs — you can also check out Bluestone Boat Ramp. Have a picnic and lay out in the sun at Staunton View Park, which is right on the water with lots of picnic tables and leafy trees to provide shade. Pick your way through the trees to your lake vacation cottage on the northwest side of Kerr Lake for a cozy place to kick back and relax. Enjoy views of the pristine waters of the lake and the surrounding forests. When you stay near the Henderson Point boat ramp, you get easy, public access to the lake with plenty of parking.