Burke Lake Park

Important Notices

COVID-19 & the VBWTBefore heading out to visit a site on the Virginia Bird & Wildlife Trail, be sure to check if that site has any COVID-19 policies or closures in place. This information is typically posted on a site's own website.

Important Notices For This Site

Notice
Lake Drawdown and Impacts to Boat Launch AreaThe Fairfax County Park Authority in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) will soon begin to work on the Burke Lake Park Marina Maintenance Project, which will force closure of the Fairfax County Park Authority marina area during the construction period. A controlled drawdown of Burke Lake to a target of two feet below normal pool elevation will begin in November 2022. Burke Lake Park visitors should expect impacts to recreational activities from the drawdown of Burke Lake. State’s fishing piers and boat launch area are expected to remain open, but the launch area may not be accessible to trailer boats. Boaters, canoeists, and kayakers in the lake should use caution as numerous obstructions will be exposed or may be present just under the water’s surface. For more information, please read this Fairfax County press release.

Notice

Lake Drawdown and Impacts to Boat Launch AreaThe Fairfax County Park Authority in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) will soon begin to work on the Burke Lake Park Marina Maintenance Project, which will force closure of the Fairfax County Park Authority marina area during the construction period. A controlled drawdown of Burke Lake to a target of two feet below normal pool elevation will begin in November 2022. Burke Lake Park visitors should expect impacts to recreational activities from the drawdown of Burke Lake. State’s fishing piers and boat launch area are expected to remain open, but the launch area may not be accessible to trailer boats. Boaters, canoeists, and kayakers in the lake should use caution as numerous obstructions will be exposed or may be present just under the water’s surface. For more information, please read this Fairfax County press release.

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.

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.

Trail Loop: Bull Run
Site Number: 05

Location & Directions

View on Google Maps

Site Information

Site Contact: (703) 323-6600 x202, keith.o'conner@fairfaxcounty.gov
Website
Access: 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.

Birds Recently Seen at Burke Lake Park (as reported to eBird)

Wood Duck
Bufflehead
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Belted Kingfisher
Tree Swallow
Canada Goose
Lesser Scaup

Seasonal Bird Observations

View Seasonal Observations Submitted to eBird

Facilities

Bike Trails
Camping
Fee
Food
Accessible
Hiking Trails
Information
Parking
Picnic
Restrooms
Kayak/Canoe Launch
Canoe/Kayak Rentals
Boat Ramp