Longwood Park - Clarksville, VA
Clarksville, Virginia · on John H. Kerr Reservoir
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $7 per vehicle
- SEASON
- Staffed and fully open April 1 through October 31; unstaffed (off-season, reduced access) November 1 through March 31.
About Longwood Park - Clarksville, VA
Longwood Park is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers day-use and campground area on the Grassy Creek arm of John H. Kerr Reservoir (Buggs Island Lake) near Clarksville, Virginia. It has an official, designated swimming beach alongside a campground, picnic shelter, and boat ramp. It is a developed, official swimming hole rather than an informal or hidden one, an easy big lake to swim in near Clarksville.
The park sits on the wooded, cove-studded shoreline of the Grassy Creek section of John H. Kerr Reservoir, a roughly 50,000-acre Army Corps reservoir formed by damming the Roanoke River, with 800 miles of shoreline across Virginia and North Carolina. Campsites are described by visitors as wooded and mostly shaded, with several directly on the water and steps down to the lake.
Swimming at Longwood Park - Clarksville, VA
Swimming takes place at a designated, sandy-edged reservoir beach adjacent to the campground and picnic shelter, per the official Recreation.gov listing and camper reviews describing a 'swimming area with picnic tables.' This is calm, open reservoir water (not a river or creek current) suited to families and campers rather than a whitewater or waterfall swim; no lifeguard is mentioned on the official listing.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located at 13500 Hwy 15, about 7 miles south of Clarksville, VA, on the Grassy Creek section of John H. Kerr Reservoir; the Corps of Engineers visitor center for the reservoir is in Boydton, VA.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up Army Corps campground and day-use area; no trail hike is needed to reach the swim beach. Camper reviews describe only short paths or a few steps down from campsites to the lake shoreline/swim area, on the order of a short walk rather than a hike.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Calm, open reservoir water at a designated swim beach (not a river/current), which suits kids, but Recreation.gov's official listing does not mention a lifeguard, so adult supervision is needed. Camper reviews describe steps/paths down to the lake from some sites rather than a fully graded, stroller-flat approach.
Parking
Paid, $7 per vehicle day-use fee (waived for registered campers)
Day-use area parking is at the Corps of Engineers campground/day-use lot; fee collected at the gatehouse.
Restrooms
Yes
Flush toilets and hot showers available at the campground/day-use area per the official Recreation.gov listing; a dump station is also on site.
Hours
Gatehouse hours Sun-Thu 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m., Fri-Sat 9:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.; park is staffed and fully open April 1-October 31, with reduced/unstaffed access November 1-March 31.
On the water
The official Recreation.gov listing for Longwood Park confirms boating, canoeing, and fishing are permitted, with the Longwood Boat Ramp located just outside the campground. Camper reviews independently describe using kayaks for fishing and paddling from the park. No specific no-wake/electric-only restriction for this cove was found, though the Corps' boat-ramp signage emphasizes wearing a life jacket.
Rentals nearby
18' fishing boats; 20', 22', and 25' pontoon boats (includes 30 gallons of gas); single and tandem kayaks; single and tandem stand-up paddleboards
Occoneechee State Park, near Boat Ramp 1, on Buggs Island Lake/John H. Kerr Reservoir, about 5.4 miles from Longwood Park (per RIDB facility list) · Peak season (Memorial Day-Labor Day): weekends 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; available by appointment other times; boats must be returned by 6 p.m.
Longwood Park - Clarksville, VA: FAQ
Does Longwood Park - Clarksville, VA charge a fee?
Day-use fee of $7 per vehicle (waived for registered campers); camping rates run $24-$68/night depending on hookups, with a 50% discount for Golden Age/Access pass holders.
Is Longwood Park - Clarksville, VA kid friendly?
Calm, open reservoir water at a designated swim beach (not a river/current), which suits kids, but Recreation.gov's official listing does not mention a lifeguard, so adult supervision is needed. Camper reviews describe steps/paths down to the lake from some sites rather than a fully graded, stroller-flat approach.
Do I need to hike to reach Longwood Park - Clarksville, VA?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Longwood Park - Clarksville, VA?
Day-use area parking is at the Corps of Engineers campground/day-use lot; fee collected at the gatehouse.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Longwood Park - Clarksville, VA?
The official Recreation.gov listing for Longwood Park confirms boating, canoeing, and fishing are permitted, with the Longwood Boat Ramp located just outside the campground. Camper reviews independently describe using kayaks for fishing and paddling from the park. No specific no-wake/electric-only restriction for this cove was found, though the Corps' boat-ramp signage emphasizes wearing a life jacket.
When is the best time to visit Longwood Park - Clarksville, VA?
Staffed and fully open April 1 through October 31; unstaffed (off-season, reduced access) November 1 through March 31.
What are the rules at Longwood Park - Clarksville, VA?
No alcoholic beverages, no off-road vehicles, quiet/generator hours 10 p.m.-6 a.m., 14-day maximum stay per 30-day period, check-in 4 p.m./checkout 2 p.m. Gatehouse hours are Sun-Thu 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and Fri-Sat 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
What water body is Longwood Park - Clarksville, VA on?
Longwood Park - Clarksville, VA is on John H. Kerr Reservoir, a natural reservoir verified in USGS hydrography data.
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