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Bear Creek Lake
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Bear Creek Lake State Park
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State Park Overview:
Nestled in the heart of Cumberland State Forest in central Virginia’s Cumberland
County, Bear Creek Lake State Park offers the amenities of the larger parks
without the crowds. Activities revolve around the 40-acre lake with a boat
launch, swimming beach, lakeside picnicking, camping and hiking trails.The park
is surrounded by the 16,000-acre Cumberland State Forest, which provides
opportunities for a wide range of outdoor activities. Four small lakes in the
state forest are managed by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries for
recreational fishing. A network of gated and ungated forest roads provides
hiking, mountain biking and nature observation. The Virginia Department of
Forestry also operates a sporting clays range in the Cumberland State Forest.
Trails:
Hiking: no bicycle trails, however horses and bicycles allowed on multi-use
hiking trail. The park provides access to the Willis River Trail, a 16-mile long
trail winding through the surrounding area. The 14-mile Cumberland Multi-use
Trail also is available for bicyles, horses and hikers (this trail does not loop
back into the park and is located Virginia Department of Forestry property).
NOTE: The entire Lost Barr Trail is closed because of cabin construction at the
park. Please call the park, (804) 492-4410, for details.
Picnicking:
The park offers lakeside picnicking near the swimming beach. Picnic facilities
include drinking water, grills and restrooms. Picnic shelters are available by
reservation by calling the Reservation Center at 1-800-933-PARK. Shelters can be
rented from 8 a.m. to dark (all day), or 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. to dark
(half day). Please note the hour in between for half day rental times. The
shelter is rented April 1 through Oct. 31; boat rentals and swimming are
available Memorial Day through Labor Day. Shelter parking is very limited so
carpooling is recommended.
Boating:
Boat rentals and bike rentals are available daily from Memorial Day to Labor
Day. A boat launching ramp is available for non-gasoline powered boats. Shoulder
season rentals are offered on weekends only during May and September. Parental
supervision is required for all rentals, and pets are not allowed in rental
boats. Rentals are sometimes cancelled during the shoulder season because of bad
weather or staff shortages.
In addition, the park has canoes, rowboats, paddleboats and hydrobikes available
for rent. A valid Virginia fishing license is required for fishing from the
lake. Trolling motors are available for rent.
Swimming:
Lake swimming: Available Memorial Day to Labor Day. Swimming is free with
camping. Open during the summer only, the swimming beach is complete with a
bathhouse and concession operation featuring a wide range of sandwiches, snacks
and drinks. Click here for park fees. In the summer, swimming is free for
overnight guests in campsites, cabins and the lodge, however it cannot be
guaranteed should circumstances beyond the park's control require that swimming
be closed. We do not give refunds for swimming to overnight guests under any
circumstances.
Fishing and Hunting:
The 40-acre lake supports healthy populations of largemouth bass, crappie, bream
and channel catfish. The Willis River, a small, slow moving tributary of the
James, winds through Cumberland State Forest providing fishing opportunities to
anyone with a canoe or small boat. Two canoe launches are located in Cumberland
State Forest for access to the Willis River.
Fall hunting in nearby Cumberland State Forest. Call the park at (804) 492-4410
for specific dates. Until further notice, the park's 10-target, 2-D archery
range will be closed because of construction. Please call the park, (804)
492-4410, for details.
History of the Area:
Bear Creek Lake was built in 1938 as a project of the Virginia Department of
Agriculture through the State Forestry Division. Although this project was
undertaken during the closing days of the Great Depression, the 100 men who
built the lake were not members of the Civilian Conservation Corps. They were
simply carpenters, farmers and unskilled laborers seeking jobs. Along with the
lake, these men built two pavilions, a concession stand and six fireplaces. The
land was given to the Division of State Parks in 1940, and it was operated as a
day-use recreation area. In 1962 the division added campgrounds and the area's
name was changed to Bear Creek Lake State Park. |
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