College of Arts and Sciences: Statement of Policies Governing Use of the Kerr Lake Recreation Area by Individuals and Their Guests

University Policy

Title

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill College of Arts and Sciences: Statement of Policies Governing Use of the Kerr Lake Recreation Area by Individuals and Their Guests

Policy

Permits and Keys

• Permits and keys may be obtained from Brian Prentice. The permit and the release forms are available on the Exercise and Sport Science website (exss.unc.edu). Permit applications and release forms may be sent via U.S. Mail or Campus Mail to Brian Prentice, 209 Fetzer Hall, CB# 8700, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8700.
• Keys to the gates of the camping areas are loaned to daily users upon payment of a $20 refundable key deposit per key. All keys are to be returned to Brain Prentice by mail within one week of the date that the permit expires, or the key deposit will be forfeited.
• There is a two key limit for annual and daily permits.
• Permits cover use by the permit holder’s immediate family members only. If you intend to host guests on your site, you will need to purchase a valid guest use permit. Sharing of any Permits is strictly forbidden. Immediate family is defined as those living in the household of the employee/student permit holder.
• Annual or daily use permits must be placed in clear view in the front window of the user's vehicle while on the University's Kerr Lake recreation property.
  All Annual Permit holders, Reserved or Non-reserved, may only have ONE camper placed on each site (this includes pop-up campers). Only TWO vehicles (cars, trucks) may be parked at each site. Any additional Visitors MUST park near the Caretakers building.
• Daily use permit holders can only camp in Areas D and E (refer to map).
• Daily use permits are allocated on a first come/first served basis up to the number of sites available. The sites may be obtained on a first come/first served basis upon arrival at the lake. (There are no guaranteed reserved sites for daily or annual use permit holders using Area D). Daily Permits may only be purchased during the week prior to your visit and MUST be purchased online through the campus event registration site.
• No rain checks or credits will be issued due to inclement weather or any other reason for the Group Use Area or Open Area camp sites.
• Individuals who have purchased annual Open Area Camper/Boat Storage Permits must display a valid parking sticker on the rear bumper of all campers or trailers parked at the campground; as well as any recreational vehicle parked on the site. You will receive a warning if the permit sticker is not in place within one month of purchase. If permit is not in place by the time period stated, we will tow your property and you will have to see the grounds keeper to reclaim it. We will not be able to renew your site if you do not buy the proper permits the previous year.
• Open Area stored campers and boats/trailers without current parking stickers that are left on the property for 60 days or longer will be considered abandoned and will be subject to removal and disposal under N. C. Gen. Stat 20-137.6 et. seq.

Waitlist

There is currently a waitlist for those who wish to purchase Reserved sites at the UNC Kerr Lake Recreation Area. In order to be placed on the waitlist you may email kerrlakeboard@unc.edu. Once we receive an email, the name, date called, affiliation, email/phone number and desired area will be added to the bottom of the list. As spots become available, we will call people from the top of the list. If the person called declines what is available, they may remain on the list; however, they are moved to the bottom of the list.

This applies to everyone, including current permit holders wishing to move to another spot; Those desiring to purchase a second Reserved site may also be placed on the waitlist at the bottom. This is in an effort to make the UNC Kerr Lake Recreation Area accessible to everyone affiliated with the UNC Chapel Hill community.

Guests

Guests must obtain a Guest Use Permit prior to arriving at the Kerr Lake Recreation area. Guests and their hosts must occupy the same campsite

Reservations for Groups over 2 Cars/Tents Per Campsite

For Group Reservations please contact David Rogers at rogersda@email.unc.edu.

Rules of Behavior

All users and their guests are expected to respect the rights of the environment, the facilities, and others while at the University recreation area. We reserve the right to remove you for; non-compliance, prohibited activities, or threatening behavior. Specifically, the following rules of conduct should be observed:

• Gates must be kept locked at all times; this is for the safety of all campers. There are gold locks on the gates for Duke Power’s access. Please make sure that Duke Power is able to gain access to their gold locks. There have been chains added to the camper locks so that access to Duke’s gold locks is not restricted.
• Users should leave the site in as good or better condition than when they arrived. Cigarette butts and other litter are not to be left on the ground. You must remove your trash at the end of each camping period.
• Owners must always maintain control of their pets. If your pet is deemed a nuisance, you may be asked to remove it.
• In agreement with the University's lease permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, all materials brought to the area must be removed from camp and picnic sites after each visit.
• Nails or spikes must not be driven into trees. Do not burn wood that contains nails or spikes.
• Please keep the sound level of music and noise to a minimum, especially after 9:00 p.m. Sound carries quite far out-of-doors and may be annoying to others (this includes generators).
• Users are responsible for taking all garbage bags and other trash from the campsite to the dumpster at the end of the visit (or whenever bags are full). Please make sure all trashcan lids are returned and tight on trashcan before leaving. Using trashcan lids for a grill or fire pit is prohibited. The dumpster is located just inside the Boat Ramp gate (Area E). If trash is not removed, we will keep your key deposit. All trash must be bagged before placing in the dumpster. DO NOT LEAVE LARGE UNBAGGED ITEMS IN OR AROUND THE DUMPSTER.
• Please put firewood in a fire pit or stacked on higher ground so it does not float into the lake. Floating wood and other debris can damage watercraft.
• Campers must not stay on the sites more than 30 days.
• Generators used in the water-only areas in area A area must be "silenced."
• Water and electric services are only available from April 15 (unless otherwise specified) until October 31 (unless otherwise specified).
• All property must be removed at the end of the season. Property includes floats, steps, ramps, rugs, etc. Failure to do this will result in refusal to renew your site the next season.
• If the electrical boxes are locked, please contact the grounds keeper. Do not remove locks yourself.
• It is a privilege to have bathrooms, if your area can not respect and keep them clean, they will be locked, and we will provide a port a potty instead.
• Golf carts are allowed for campers age 20 and older. They must be electric; gas is not allowed. You may not ride on the roads unless your golf cart has a DMV tag, you are licensed and insured, and your golf cart has lights.

Prohibited Activities

Any of the following activities can result in immediate permanent removal from the property.

• The UNC Kerr Lake facility is managed by the Department of Exercise and Sport Science. EXSS management complies with all University, State, and Federal regulations. Repeated unwarranted complaints will be considered harassment of state employees and will be grounds for permanent removal from the facility.
• Dumping of holding tank waste anywhere at the University's recreation area except for bathroom dumping stations is strictly prohibited and against the law. This includes the port-a-potties. You can schedule your waste to be pumped by calling the grounds keeper Nolan at 336-380-6420.
• The use of firearms or fireworks is prohibited. Please do not take either to the UNC facility.
• The use of ATV's (All Terrain Vehicles) is prohibited.
• Gambling is prohibited.
• Any act or conduct by any person, that interferes with, impedes, or disrupts the use of the property, or impairs the safety of another person is prohibited. Individuals who are boisterous, rowdy, disorderly, or otherwise disturb the peace on the property or waters may be removed immediately.
• Serious misconduct such as, sexual harassment, physical abuse, destruction of property, or any other prohibited behavior will result in permanent removal from the property.
• Hosting anyone who has been removed from the property is strictly prohibited and will result in permanent removal from the property.

Directions

• From Chapel Hill, take Interstate 85 North to Exit 214 (the exit for Hwy 39 and Henderson).
• Turn left and follow Hwy 39 North for 13.5 miles. (You will pass through Townsville.)
• Turn right onto Rock Spring Church Rd at the fork (There is a Baptist Church and a sign to Henderson Point at the fork).
• Go 2.1 miles and turn right onto Woodsworth Road (this is also County Road 1358). The UNC-CH Recreation Area is about 1 mile down this road. Look for the sign which reads UNC Family Campground. Enter areas A, B and C on the right; areas D and E (boat ramp) on the left.

Contact Information

Primary Contacts

Please email kerrlakeboard@unc.edu if you have any concerns.

Caretaker-Nolan 336-380-6420

Emergency Contacts

Presently, there is not a public phone at the area. The Hospital is about 20 miles from the UNC-CH Area; go south on I-85, then take the Ruin Creek exit.

Important Dates

Revised March 25, 2025