About Lake Gaston and Vicinity

The Roanoke River unwinds in Lake Gaston creating 350 miles of beautiful shoreline in three counties of North Carolina (Warren, Halifax and Northampton) and two of Virginia (Mecklenburg and Brunswick). Nestled between Interstate 85 and Interstate 95 at the Virginia - North Carolina border in a friendly country setting, the lake contains over 20,000 acres of high quality water, is 34 miles long, with an average depth of 40 ft. and about one and one half miles wide at its widest point. Sunsets are frequently spectacular!

Lake Gaston begins on the western end at Kerr Dam built in 1953 for flood control.To the east of Lake Gaston is Roanoke Rapids Lake, a smaller lake built in 1955 for hydroelectric power. The [Lake] Gaston Dam (also built for hydroelectric power) that separates Lake Gaston from Roanoke Rapids lake was completed in 1963 and is currently owned and operated by Dominion. Normal height of the water is 200 feet above sea level and does not fluctuate more than 12 inches under normal conditions. There are shoreline management and ecological guidelines in place to protect its inhabitants and environment. Unrestricted boating accommodates the full range of boating options. The lake is also known for great fishing.

Lake Gaston's climate reflects a change for each of the four seasons that accommodates full enjoyment of traditional activities highlighted by the natural beauty of the environment that each season offers. For offshore recreation there are lots of options year-round: golfing facilities (TangleWood Shores, Lake Gaston Golf Course), excellent environment for walks and hikes, scenic country roads for biking, and retro country stores.

There are numerous civic and social organizations, lots of history and places off the beaten path to visit. Check out O'Sail (sponsor of The Crossing, Fall for the Arts, and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner) and the Lake Gaston Ladies Club. We even have an award-winning winery (Rosemont Vineyard and Winery) just 15 minutes from Roanoke Reserve! If you enjoy exploring, be sure to check out Homegrown Handmade (Art Roads and Farm Trails of NC) - in particular, Hushpuppies, Pimento Cheese, and Sweet Tea and Music, Millponds, and Mousetraps. History is pervasive in Lake Gaston/NC counties of Warren, Halifax, Northampton, historic town (Warrenton and Halifax), and regional historic sites in NC and VA.

The Lake Gaston vicinity also boasts an active artisan community. Performing art venues include The Colonial Center (South Hill, VA), Lakeland Theatre (Littleton, NC), Cherry Hill Concerts (Inez, NC near Warrenton), and Meherrin River Arts Council concert series (Emporia, VA). You can also get to Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill and Richmond venues in less than 90 minutes from the Reserve. An active community of local Lake Gaston Artists and Artisans with frequent art shows include William Ward Moseley and Gail O'Neil.

The rural, friendly, more relaxed way of life around the lake takes you back to simpler times. Yet you are just a mouseclick away from or an easy drive to the rest of the world when you want to tune it. Local conveniences within 10-15 minutes from Roanoke Reserve include a great Food Lion grocery store, ACE Hardware, DrugCo pharmacy, ABC store, restaurants, family medicine clinics, banking, and building supplies. Larger towns within a 30-40 minute drive from Roanoke Reserve include Roanoke Rapids, NC, South Hill, VA, and Henderson, NC (home to Home Depot, Lowes, Wal Mart, mid-sized department stores, hospitals, chain hotels and restaurants) -- and just a bit further to a larger city on I-95 south, Rocky Mount, NC. Here is a summary of food and cooking resources available to Roanoke Reserve.

Proximity to both I-85 and I-95 means an easy commute (75-90 minutes) to points south Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area (Research Triangle, NC) and north to the Richmond/Petersburg area — in addition to easy day trips to popular VA destinations of Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, Kings Dominion, and Jamestown...and all of the wonderful journeys and destinations that both North Carolina and Virginia have to offer. The Lake Gaston area is served by regional airports ( NW - closest to Roanoke Reserve: KAVC, SE - near Roanoke Rapids: KRZZ) as well as RDU (closest international airport).