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Bandits Roost
USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers — WILKESBORO · North Carolina · W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir
| Agency | USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Area | W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir |
| Location | WILKESBORO · North Carolina · W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir · 36.12195, -81.25072 · Map |
| Sites | 103 public sites counted from the federal listing — 85 standard electric; 17 tent only nonelectric; 1 group standard electric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 86 of 103 sites (up to 50 amp where reported) Water hookups at 85 of 103 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 103 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 103 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 148 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 85 sites · 30 ft: 83 sites · 35 ft: 81 sites · 40 ft: 76 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 3:00 PM · Out 12:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 103 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 2 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 336-921-3190 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-04-18.
From the official listing
Overview Bandits Roost Campground is located on the south side of W. Kerr Scott Reservoir in western North Carolina.
Constructed in the beautiful Yadkin River Valley, the lake offers extensive opportunities for outdoor recreational activities. Recreation 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, striped bass, and hybrid striped bass.
Miles of multi-use trails, that allow hiking and mountain biking, surround the lake, including the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, which has a trailhead at the campground. An additional 25 miles of trails can be found at the Warrior Creek and Dark Mountain areas. Facilities 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, swim beach, playground, basketball court and amphitheater offer additional recreation opportunities. Natural Features The gentle Yadkin River flows through its scenic namesake valley in the foothills of the eastern Blue Ridge Mountains. 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. Contact Info This location has limited staffing. Please call (336) 921-3390 for general information.
Directions, from the listing
From Winston-Salem, North Carolina, take Highway 421 North (approximately 55 miles) to Exit 286B, turn left onto Highway 268 and continue for approximately 5 miles. Turn right onto Jess Walsh Road. Campground entrance is located at the end of the road. 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 and continue for approximately 5 miles. Turn right onto Jess Walsh Road. Campground entrance is located at the end of the road. Travel times from: Winston Salem: 1 hour. Charlotte: 1.5 hours. Physical address is 667 Jess Walsh Road Wilkesboro, NC 28697
Nearest federal campgrounds
1 mi straight-line · Wilkesboro North CarolinaUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersFort Hamby Park
1 mi straight-line · WILKESBORO North CarolinaUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersDam Site Shelter
1 mi straight-line · Wilkesboro North CarolinaUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersW. Kerr Scott Visitor Assistance Center Conference Room
1 mi straight-line · Wilkesboro North CarolinaUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersFish Dam Creek Park
2 mi straight-line · Wilkesboro North Carolina
Trip Card — Bandits Roost
WILKESBORO · North Carolina · W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir
| Agency | USACE · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Location | WILKESBORO · North Carolina · W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | Electric at 86 |
| Max RV | Up to 148 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 103 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233421 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.