Facilities and Activities:
| Day-Use | Fishing | yes | | | Hiking Trail, miles | yes | | | Picnicking | yes |
State Park Location Maps:
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State Park Photo Gallery:
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State Park Event Calendar:
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Nearby Parks:
Bear Creek State Park
Cumberland State Forest
Saylers Creek Battlefield State Park
Powhatan State Wildlife Management Area
Horsepen State Wildlife Management Area
Hardware River State Wildlife Management Are
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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. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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A great place to spend a day
My family and I have been here several times now and we are always happy when we leave. We spend our time at the beach and picnic tables behind the beach and always have a good time. Everything is always nice and clean. We have not done any camping here yet but plan to in the near future.
Written by Robert B.
1-May-2008
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| 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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| | Note to Park related businesses:
List your vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental or any other park related activity, park related attraction or park related service on Google or StateParks.com. (more).... |
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| Related Links: |
| Meeting List - Meetings. Meetings Held in the Past 180 Days. View future meetings View minutes of past board meetings All Boards. Air Pollution Control Board. Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. Apprenticeship... | | Meeting List - Meetings and Public Hearings. The Town Hall Calendar includes all public meetings addressing regulatory policy, including public hearings on proposed regulations. View meetings held in past 180... | | Powhatan, Virginia Park Directory - All About Powhatan. | Churches. | Businesses. | Emergency. | Community Info. | Health & Family. | Site Map. Virginia State Parks. Northern Virginia Parks | Tidewater & Eastern Shore Parks | ... | | Area Resorts and Lodging | | Fin & Feather Resort
Route 746
Buckingham, VA
(434) 969-5558
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| Directions: |
| The park is about 4.5 miles northwest of the town of Cumberland. From U.S. Route 60, go west on Route 622 and south on Route 629 to the park entrance.NEXT |
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