Occoneechee State Park is on the John H. Kerr Reservoir, better known as Buggs Island Lake, and is popular with anglers and boaters. The lake consists of 48,000 acres for fishing, boating and other aquatic recreation. There are boat ramps and a private concession stand that offers boat rentals and light snacks. The marina offers a fuel dock and boat slips with water and electric service for annual rentals. Six slips are available for rent to overnight camping and cabin guests.

Facilities include 13 cabins that allow guests to enjoy the comforts of home as well as beautiful views of the lake, 48 campsites for tents and RVs, some situated right on the shoreline.  An equestrian campground with 11 sites and 11 covered horse stalls offers easy access to the park’s trail system. Picnic shelters for larger groups, a waterfront amphitheater for in-season entertainment and a playground for children are also part of the park. The park also has 20 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. 

Occoneechee (pronounced O-ko-nee-chee) State Park is named after a Native American tribe that lived in the area from around 1250 A.D. to the late 1600s. The tribe was forced out of the area in 1676 by the armies of Francis Bacon. “Bacon’s Rebellion” abruptly ended the Occoneechi Indian’s prominence. This armed rebellion is considered to be the first to occur in the New World.