Bear Creek Lake State Park

Bear Creek Lake State Park serves as the centerpiece for Cumberland State Forest. An extensive network of trails and excellent camping facilities ring this eponymous manmade lake, providing numerous opportunities to explore nature and watch wildlife. A visit to the deciduous forest along the lakeshore is often rewarded with feeding flocks, sometimes containing dozens of birds. These are usually filled with Carolina Chickadees and Tufted Titmice, but sometimes attract less common or migrant species including Northern Parula, Pine Warbler, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Wood-Pewee, or Red-eyed Vireos. Other species to look for in the area include Hairy Woodpecker and White-breasted Nuthatch, which can be seen displaying their amazing acrobatic skills as they clamber over dead limbs. Also keep an eye open for fruiting bushes and trees that can support hoards of birds, especially during migration when large flocks of American Robins join resident Northern Cardinals to gorge. In fall this could also turn up Wood, Swainson’s, and Gray-cheeked thrushes for those interested in challenging their identification skills.

The lake itself is a magnet for wildlife with dozens of eastern painted turtles soaking up the sunshine along its banks while Green Herons stalk the shallows. In winter an assortment of ducks can be found, in addition to the more regular Wood Ducks that nest nearby. Bald Eagles have even been seen briefly passing overhead.

Note: To access the lake, a Restore the Wild Membership, Virginia hunting license, freshwater fishing license, boat registration, or an access permit is required.