A 40-acre lake in the heart of Virginia is the perfect place to spend time together, meet Bear Creek Lake State Park.

This park's just an hour west of Richmond and is a wonderful getaway for outdoor enthusiasts. With neat activities for the whole family like hiking trails and enjoying the swimming beach. But one of the highlights of this park would have to be exploring it by boat and there are a few fun options available when it comes to rentals at Bear Creek Lake State Park.

Bring the whole family out for a day of fun on the water at Bear Creek Lake State Park

Rent paddleboats, canoe, kayak, jon boats and even standup paddleboards seasonally

Swimming

Between the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, guarded beach swimming is available for a fee. Weather and other issues may at times force suspension of guarded swimming. When guarded swimming is unavailable, guests may swim at the beach’s designated area but do so at their own risk. Swimming elsewhere in the park is prohibited.

The swimming beach has restrooms and Lakeside Diner, which offers sandwiches, snacks and drinks. There's seating on a deck there. Click here for park fees.

Fishing and Boating

A 40-acre lake supports largemouth bass, crappie, bream and channel catfish. The Willis River, a small, slow tributary of the James, winds through the Cumberland State Forest. Those with a canoe or small boat can enjoy fishing there. Two canoe launches with access to the river are in Cumberland State Forest. A boat ramp at Bear Creek Lake is available for non-gasoline powered boats. The park also has a universally accessible fishing pier.

Boat rentals are available from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Shoulder season rentals are offered on weekends only from mid-April through Columbus Day Weekend. Parental supervision is required for all rentals. Rentals are sometimes cancelled during the shoulder season because of bad weather or staff shortages.

Canoes, rowboats, trolling motors, paddleboats, paddleboards and kayaks are for rent. Call the park for prices. A valid Virginia fishing license is required for fishing. Those 16 and older must have a license with them. A hardware store in the Cumberland Courthouse area sells licenses, and they are available via the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries website. 

Trails

All trails within the park allow only hiking. The park also provides access to the Willis River Trail, a 16-mile long trail winding through Cumberland State Forest.

Also, the 15.7-mile Cumberland Multi-use Trail is available for bicycles, horses and hikers (this trail does not loop back to the park and is located in the state forest). Those interested in riding horses or mountain bikes in the Cumberland State Forest must obtain a State Forest Use Permit; call (804) 492-4121 or visit the state forest department's website for details

Activities, programs and events

Campfire get-togethers, music activities, archery programs, junior rangers programs, history programs, nature hikes, nature crafts, survival skills, canoeing, fishing and many more activities on most days from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Programs are offered on weekends during spring and fall. Groups may request special programming any time of year if they provide advance notice and the subject matter is relevant to Bear Creek Lake's natural and historic resources. 

See a listing of all great park programs and events here.

Overnight 

Awesome campground and cabins at Bear Creek Lake State Park. Learn more here or call 800-933-7275. Plus during prime season, a day of guarded beach swimming per night's stay is free to overnight guests.

Last splash of summer

Don't let the end of summer take you by surprise, there are still a few good days left before school starts up for that last splash of summer.

Let's make the most of it and "Make hay while the sun shines" as they say, at Bear Creek Lake State Park. Click here for directions to the park.

#ThinkOutside