Constructed in the beautiful Yadkin River Valley, the lake offers extensive opportunities for outdoor recreational activities. 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 at Bandits Roost campground. An additional 25 miles of mountain biking trails can be found at the Warrior Creek and Dark Mountain areas.

Bandits Roost Campground is located on the south side of W. Kerr Scott Reservoir in western North Carolina.

The campground offers 102 campsites, including 17 tents sites and 85 standard sites with water and electric hookups.

The popular group tent area offers a covered shelter with water and electricity, a grill, six tables and seven tent pads.

Amenities include flush and pit toilets, showers, drinking water and a dump station. A boat ramp, playground, swimbeach, basketball court and amphitheater offer additional recreation opportunities.

Fort Hamby Park is located on the north side of W. Kerr Scott Reservoir in western North Carolina. 

The campground offers a thick canopy of forest on one side and the scenic lake shore on the other. There are 33 campsites available, all with electric hookups, including one large group site that can accommodate up to 100 guests.

Modern amenities like flush toilets, drinking water and showers create a comfortable camping experience, while a playground, sandy beach, basketball court and horseshoe pit provide additional recreation opportunities.

Warrior Creek Campground is located on the south side of W. Kerr Scott Reservoir in western North Carolina.

The campground offers 61 campsites, all with water and electric hookups. There are also two group sites with shelters that are perfect for large groups.

Amenities include flush and vault toilets, showers, drinking water and two dump stations. An amphitheater, swim beach, playground, basketball court and hiking and biking trails offer additional recreation opportunities.

W. Kerr Scott Lake has several day use areas along the south and north sides. If you plan is to come spend the day swimming, picnicking, hiking, boating, or just relaxing on a blanket, W. Kerr Scott has the location.  Three public swim beaches, seven boat ramps, eight picnic shelters, five fishing piers, and plenty of playgrounds! Some areas are open seasonally while others are open year-round except for high water events, hazardous weather, and planned maintenance.

 Berry Mountain Park is located off Hwy. 268W approximately 1 mile for the lake’s main entrance. Park is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Area opens at 8am and closes at 8pm.

Boomer Park is located off Boomer Road near Blood Creek Overlook. Day Use area is open Memorial Day through Labor Day; area opens at 8am and closes at 8pm. Boat Ramp area is open year-round 24 hours a day.

Keowee Park is located just outside the entrance of Warrior Creek Campground off of Hwy. 268W. Keowee is open year-round 24 hours a day. 

Fort Hamby Park is located off Hwy. 421 N at the end of South Recreation Road. Fort Hamby is a dual park that includes a campground and day use area. The day use area is open April 15 through October 15.  

Smithey’s Creek Park is located off Hwy. 421 N at the end of South Minton Road. Smithey’s Creek is open year-round 24 hours a day.  

Fish Dam Creek and Dark Mountain Parks are located at the end of Reservoir Road. Traveling down Reservoir Road, visitors will pass over the dam to get to Fish Dam Creek and Dark Mountain parks. This route will provide the most scenic view of the W. Kerr Scott Lake. Areas are open year-round.  Area opens at 8am and closes at 8pm.

Dam Site Park is located off Reservoir Road and near the Visitor Assistance Center. Dam Site Park is open year-round 24 hours a day. 

Blood Creek Overlook is a pull off park along Hwy. 268W near Boomer Road. Blood Creek Overlook is open year-round 24 hours a day.  

 Mountain View Overlook is located at the highest elevation on W. Kerr Scott Lake. Take Hwy. 268W to Boomer Ferguson School Road; take the 1^st paved left, then another left into Warrior Creek Park. The overlook is at the top of the hill. Mountain Overlook is open year-round 24 hours a day.