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Bridle Creek Public Boat Landing

Description

Elevation: 2397 ft.

This boat landing is located next to the mouth of Bridle Creek, creating a variety of habitats in a small area. The river in this area is quite shallow and not as broad as other nearby boat ramps. Northern rough-winged and barn swallows frequent these waters, perching themselves prominently on dead snags along both banks. The sycamore typical of these riverbanks are not as large as at some of the other boat ramps but the yellow-throated vireo and warbler don’t mind. These residents are still happy to chase caterpillars along the sycamore branches, while downy woodpecker trill from deep within their crowns. Along the nearby Bridle Creek, the bushes are stuffed with singing song sparrow and indigo bunting. Ebony jewelwing sparkle as they flit along the stream’s banks, maintaining their distance from the main river.

Wildlife Sightings

116 species have been reported at this site to date.

Birds Recently Seen at Bridle Creek Public Boat Landing:

  • Canada Goose
  • Mourning Dove
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Northern Flicker
  • Eastern Phoebe
  • Blue Jay
  • American Crow
  • Common Raven
  • Carolina Chickadee

Recent Checklists:

Date# of SpeciesSubmitted By
12 Apr 202634Allen Boynton
7 Apr 202616Cathy Spencer
14 May 202519Scott Jackson-Ricketts
1 May 202528Allen Boynton
1 May 202528Marsha Pate

See more recent checklists…

Amenities & Accessibility

Amenities

  • On-site Parking
  • Kayak/Canoe Launch
  • Boat Ramp

Accessibility Considerations

This location does not have a Birdability Site Review available at this time

Learn more about Birdability’s efforts to map accessible outdoor spaces

Maps & Directions

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Physical Address: 3436 Gold Hill Rd, Independence, VA 24348

From Independence, head west on US-58/W. Main/Wilson Hwy, turn left onto SR-711/Battlefield Dr, turn left onto SR-601/Bridle Creek Rd/Gold Hill Rd, and the parking area is on the left just after the bridge.

Access Requirements:

  • Free, Daily

Contact Information:

  • Virginia DWR - Region 3 office: 276-783-4860, Contact Us
  • Visit Website
  • Sites, or portions of sites, can be closed periodically for management activities. Please always check the site’s website for additional information prior to visiting.

About the VBWT

The Virginia Bird and Wildlife Trail is a network of over 600 greenspaces and blueways throughout the Commonwealth selected for their wildlife viewing potential. Walk a nature trail, paddle a river, or enjoy a scenic overlook and you’ll soon see why Virginia is a premier destination for birding and wildlife viewing.

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