Description
A variety of wildlife may be viewed on Lake Pelham (also known as Lake Culpeper). Check around the reed edges for other species such as wood duck, American coot, and pied-billed grebe. During winter, the lake can often support rafts of American widgeon, gadwall, northern shoveler, and ruddy ducks, to name a few. The numerous dead snags in the area support belted kingfishers and may occasionally turn up an osprey. A good variety of landbirds is also present. Other wildlife to spot include eastern painted turtles, sunning themselves in large groups. In warmer weather the shoreline is a favored spot by dragonflies such as prince baskettail, eastern pondhawk and common whitetail; these odonates are often joined by eastern tiger swallowtails, common buckeyes and the occasional American snout.
Notes:
- This site is included on the VBWT as a place to bird and view wildlife on the water. Watercraft rentals are available from Lake Culpeper Adventures. There are no walking trails.
- A boating permit is required for visitors who don’t rent equipment from Lake Culpeper Adventures.
Wildlife Sightings
126 species have been reported at this site to date.
Birds Recently Seen at Lake Culpeper:
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Aug 2025 | 10 | Caroline Emmet Heald |
| 5 Aug 2025 | 22 | Caroline Emmet Heald |
| 3 Jul 2025 | 8 | Nick Newberry |
| 3 Jul 2025 | 8 | Frederick Atwood |
| 27 May 2025 | 6 | Lawrence Giesting |
Amenities & Accessibility
Amenities
- On-site Parking
- Restrooms
- Kayak/Canoe Launch
- Boat Ramp
Other Amenities: 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: 18019 Country Store Drive, Culpeper, VA 22701
From James Madison Highway/US-15, merge onto James Monroe Highway/US-29 South toward Charlottesville, and the Lake Culpeper Adventures at The Ole Country Store & Bakery is on the right just past the bridge.
Site Information
Access Requirements:
- Fee for watercraft rentals and boating permit. Open daily seasonally - see website for hours
Contact Information:
- Lake Culpeper Adventures: 540-547-4449
- 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.