Description
The 888-acre Burke Lake Park is dominated by Lake Burke. Vesper Island, located within the lake, is maintained by the state as a refuge. For wildlife watchers, there is a 4.5 mile trail that circles the lake where a variety of waterfowl may be observed during the winter. Bald eagles can be seen around the lake and there is also a bluebird trail.
Note: To access the lake, a Restore the Wild Membership, Virginia hunting license, freshwater fishing license, boat registration, or an access permit is required.
Wildlife Sightings
205 species have been reported at this site to date.
Birds Recently Seen at Burke Lake Park:
- Canada Goose
- Hooded Merganser
- Common Merganser
- Red-breasted Merganser
- Ruddy Duck
- American Coot
- Ring-billed Gull
- Double-crested Cormorant
- Great Blue Heron
- Red-bellied Woodpecker
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Feb 2026 | 20 | Kathleen Fovargue |
| 25 Feb 2026 | 45 | Benjamin Hack |
| 25 Feb 2026 | 32 | Ginger Hays |
| 24 Feb 2026 | 13 | Bruce Crossan |
| 24 Feb 2026 | 11 | John Michael Toohey |
Amenities & Accessibility
Amenities
- On-site Parking
- Restrooms
- Kayak/Canoe Launch
- Boat Ramp
Other Amenities: Bike Trails, Camping/Lodging, Hiking Trails, Paddlecraft Rentals
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
Physical Address: 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, VA 22039
From Previous Site on the Bull Run Loop of VBWT:
From Hemlock Overlook, travel east on Rt. 615/Yates Ford Road for 1.8 miles to Rt. 645/Clifton Road; turn right (south) on Clifton Road and drive for 3.8 miles to SR 123/Ox Road. Proceed South on SR 123 for 0.5 miles to the entrance to Burke Lake on the left.
Site Information
Access Requirements:
- Park: Free (residents), $10 (non-residents, weekends and holidays), April-October. Lake: Restore the Wild Membership, hunting license, freshwater fishing license, boat registration, or an access permit is required.
Contact Information:
- (703) 323-6600 x202, keith.o'conner@fairfaxcounty.gov
- 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.