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Dam Site Park Shelter is one of W. Kerr Scott Dam’s most popular shelters and is located in northwestern North Carolina.
The gentle Yadkin River flows through its scenic namesake valley on the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills. Forests of mixed hardwoods, including sycamore, poplar, oak and hickory, cover the region. Wildlife is abundant in the valley. White-tailed deer, black bear, eastern cottontails and more can be found among the hills. Birds in the area include wild turkey, woodpeckers, Carolina chickadees, red-eyed vireo, ovenbirds, mallards and wood ducks.
The 1,475-acre reservoir offers excellent boating, canoeing, kayaking and swimming opportunities. Anglers will find channel catfish, large and smallmouth bass, bluegill, threadfin shad, spotted bass, hybrid striped bass and tiger muskellunge. Miles of hiking trails surround the lake, including the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, which has a trailhead a short walk from the shelter. An additional 25 miles of multi-purpose trails can be found at the Warrior Creek and Dark Mountain areas.
The shelter offers eight, 8-foot picnic tables and two, 10-foot ADA-accessible picnic tables. A water spigot and electric hook-ups are available at the shelter as well. Along with scenic views, you can enjoy other park amenities which include a boat ramp, horseshoe pit, grill, vault toilets, a museum and Environmental Education Center at our Visitor Assistance Center, and access to the Overmountain Victory Trail and Native Tree Trail.
From Charlotte, North Carolina, take I-77 North (approximately 60 miles) before merging onto Highway 421 North towards Wilkesboro/Boone. Continue to Exit 286B (approximately 20 miles), turn left onto Highway 268, continue for approximately 4 miles and turn right on Reservoir Road. Turn left into the Visitor Assistance Center parking lot after .25 miles and the shelter will be directly behind the VAC.
From Winston-Salem, North Carolina, take Highway 421 North (approximately 55 miles) to Exit 286B, turn left onto Highway 268, continue for approximately 4 miles and turn right on Reservoir Road. Turn left into the Visitor Assistance Center parking lot after .25 miles and the shelter will be directly behind the VAC.
From Wilkesboro, North Carolina, head west on Main Street/Hwy 268/Hwy 18 (approximately 4 miles) and turn right on Reservoir Road. Turn left into the Visitor Assistance Center parking lot after .25 miles and the shelter will be directly behind the VAC.
Shelter is big and clean. Wish there was access other than just by boat to the lake here
We use this space for our annual family reunion. It's nice to be next to the water but off the road.
This is my favorite boat launch for Kerr Scott Lake. Easy access and a bathroom close by.
