Important Notices For This Site
| Notice |
|---|
| Temporary Road Closure at Clinch Mountain WMATumbling Creek Road will be gated at the foot of the mountain at 5:00 PM on January 23, 2026, and will remain closed until conditions improve. This road closure will temporarily restrict vehicle access to Laurel Bed Lake, the sight-in range and higher elevations of the WMA. The road will reopen when the roads in the Big Tumbling Creek gorge and higher elevations of the WMA are safe to travel by vehicle. Thank you for your patience. |
Description
Elevation: 3674 feet
Laurel Bed Lake lies within Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area and is a manmade lake created by the damming of Big Tumbling Creek. The lake and the surrounding area are popular venues for bird-watching. For a description of the birding opportunities, refer to Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area.
Notes:
- To Access the Site: A Restore the Wild Membership, Virginia hunting license, freshwater fishing license, boat registration, or an access permit is required.
- This site may be closed during certain times of year for hunting or land management. See seasonal access information on the Clinch Mountain WMA website.
- If you are visiting this site during hunting seasons, please wear blaze orange/pink for safety.
Wildlife Sightings
160 species have been reported at this site to date.
Birds Recently Seen at Laurel Bed Lake, Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area:
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Jan 2026 | 4 | Robert Riggs |
| 6 Jan 2026 | 4 | Elaine Sharpe |
| 20 Aug 2025 | 12 | Robert Riggs |
| 20 Aug 2025 | 12 | Elaine Sharpe |
| 4 Jul 2025 | 8 | Robert Riggs |
Amenities & Accessibility
Amenities
- On-site Parking
- Restrooms
- Boat Ramp
- No Fee or Permit/Pass Requirement
Other Amenities: Camping/Lodging
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
Location: Laurel Bed Lake is located within Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA), which is north of the town of Saltville, Virginia.
Site Information
Managed By:
- VA Dept. of Wildlife Resources
Access Requirements:
- Often inaccessible in winter. Restore the Wild Membership, hunting license, freshwater fishing license, boat registration, or an access permit is required.
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.