GENERAL INFO: Less than an hour west of Richmond and nestled in the heart of Cumberland State Forest, Bear Creek Lake is the perfect getaway for the outdoor enthusiast. Activities center on the park's 40-acre lake complete with a boat launch, fishing pier, boat rentals and swimming beach. The park offers camping, cabins, a meeting facility, an archery range, lakeside picnicking, playgrounds, hiking and access to a 14-mile multi-use trail in the state forest.

The park is surrounded by the 16,000-acre Cumberland State Forest, which provides opportunities for a wide range of outdoor activities. Four small lakes in the state forest are managed by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries for recreational fishing. A network of forest roads with and without gates enables great hiking, mountain biking and nature observation. Note: There is no cell phone signal in the park. Public phones are in Campground A and the linen building in the cabin area.

LOCATION: The park is about 4.5 miles northwest of the town of Cumberland. From U.S. Route 60, go west on Route 622 and south on Route 629 to the park entrance.

Drive Times: Northern Va., three hours; Richmond, one hour; Roanoke, two hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, three hours

Click here for a Mapquest map.

PARK MAP: Here in PDF form is a map of Bear Creek Lake State Park. You'll need a copy of the free Adobe Acrobat reader to view the map.

OVERNIGHT FACILITIES: Camping and cabins. For information on availability of overnight accommodations, particular park amenities or to make a reservation, you can reserve online or call 1-800-933-PARK. Reservations are highly recommended.

Click here for details on reservation cancellation and transfer policies. A fee is charged per pet per night for overnight stays.

Cabins and Lodge

During prime season, cabins and the lodge are rented by the week beginning on Saturday or Sunday. A two-night minimum stay is required the rest of the year, but guests who wish to stay less than a week during prime season may call 30 days prior to desired arrival date to see if there is vacancy. The cabins and lodge are open year-round and reserved 11 months in advance. Extra beds are unavailable for these dwellings.

Directions for cabin and lodge guests to registration office: Register at the park office near the campgrounds on Bear Creek Lake Road off Route 629. Late arrivals should call the park beforehand to arrange for key pickup. Guests will be given specific directions to their cabin.

Bear Creek Lodge (handicapped accessible)

• Week stay runs from Sunday to Sunday in prime season.
• Check-in is 3 p.m., check-out is 10 a.m.
• No bed rentals
• Maximum occupancy is 16.
• Maximum five cars; additional parking is very limited and may not be available. A parking fee is charged for additional cars.
• Six bedrooms, one of which is handicapped accessible, and three bathrooms, one of which is handicapped accessible. One handicapped accessible bath is between master bedrooms; the other two baths are shared by the four remaining bedrooms.
• Two bedrooms have queen size beds.
• Two bedrooms each have two single beds.
• Two bedrooms have two sets of bunk beds (each room sleeps four).
• Handicapped accessible: Kitchen, dining area, living room, one bedroom and one bath. The other bedrooms and bathrooms are not handicapped accessible.
• No smoking
• Kitchen and living area
• The kitchen is equipped with an electric range/oven, refrigerator, microwave, toaster, drip coffee maker, pots, pans, dishes and utensils.
• The dining area includes a fireplace with gas logs.
• Heated and air-conditioned with heat pump
• Linens are provided.
• One porch on front; second porch on back of lodge
• Washer and dryer
• Limited view of water from the lodge

Cabins: During prime season, weekly rental for cabins 1-6 starts on Saturday; it starts on Sunday for cabins 7-12.

• Check-in is 3 p.m., check-out is 10 a.m.
• Maximum two cars per cabin; additional parking is very limited and may not be available. A parking fee is charged for additional cars.
• Kitchen: Refrigerator, stove, coffeemaker, dishes, dishcloth, dish towels, silverware, cooking utensils, pots, pans, microwave oven, toaster, manual can opener
• Clock radio, one set of linens per bed and one set of towels, which are not changed daily, per person
• Bring food, dish detergent, extra dish towels, coffee filters, coffee, salt and pepper, nonstick cooking spray, body wash/soap, extra bath towels, books, board games or cards. You may wish to bring an extra blanket or pillow.
• Keep pets on a leash no longer than 6 feet when they're not in an enclosed area. Pets are not allowed on the beach or in rental boats.
• No smoking
• No dishwasher, phone, TV, washer or dryer
• There is no cell signal in the cabin area.
• One phone for emergency use only is at the maintenance building on Blue Heron Drive. There are payphones in the campgrounds and at the corner gas station.
• Rustic furniture
• Fireplace. The park provides one bundle of complimentary firewood; extra firewood is available for a nominal fee.
• Living area: sofa, dining table, chairs and end tables
• Bedrooms: Bed(s), nightstands, dresser, closet with hangers, clock radio
• Heat-pumps (heating and AC)
• There are refuse collection stations at the day-use area, campground A and cabin maintenance building on Blue Heron Drive. Recycle bins for aluminum, plastic bottles, glass and mixed paper are at the entrance to the campground area.
• Swimming, when available, and boat launching are free to overnight guests. No refunds on swimming should circumstances beyond the park's control - e.g., inclement weather - require that swimming facilities be closed. No refunds for swimming to overnight guests under any circumstances. Swimming, boat rentals and concessions are available Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. On weekdays up to mid-June and after mid-August, swimming and boat rental hours are shortened. Please call the park beforehand if your plans included such activities as they might be unavailable.
• Picnic table and a charcoal pedestal grill in the yard beside the cabin
• Wrap-around deck; open porch with rocking chairs and end tables
• Late arrivals should call beforehand to arrange for pickup of keys.
• Out of respect for cabin guests, large gatherings and camping are not allowed in the cabin area.
• Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. through 6 a.m. Only overnight guests are allowed in the park after 10 p.m. Visitors are charged daily parking and swimming fees; visitors must park in area designated by the park.
• Cabins 2, 4, 5, 11 and 12 are water-view.
• Cabins 5 and 9 are handicapped-accessible.
• Only Cabin 6 has a fire-ring and pedestal charcoal grill. The others have only a pedestal charcoal grill.

Total sites of each type: two-bedroom frame, 6; two-bedroom frame waterview, 4; three-bedroom frame, 1; three-bedroom frame waterview, 1; Bear Creek Lodge, 1

Site Types:

Two-bedroom frame cabin, maximum capacity six, one queen bed, two sets of bunk beds (room sleeps four); no bed rentals

Two-bedroom frame waterview cabin, maximum capacity six, one queen bed, two sets of bunk beds (room sleeps four); no bed rentals

Three-bedroom frame cabin, maximum capacity eight, one queen bed, two single beds in second bedroom, two sets of bunk beds (room sleeps four) in third bedroom; no bed rentals; two bathrooms

Three-bedroom frame waterview cabin, maximum capacity eight, one queen bed, two single beds in second bedroom, two sets of bunk beds (room sleeps four) in third bedroom; no bed rentals

Bear Creek Lodge - six bedrooms, maximum capacity 16, three baths, handicapped accessible, two queen size beds in two bedrooms, two single beds in two bedrooms, two sets of bunk beds each in two bedrooms (each room sleeps four); no bed rentals

Camping: Please note that the camping lodge described below is a simple, bunkhouse; it's not the same as the Bear Creek Lodge, which is described above.

• Fire grates may have concrete pads or metal fire-rings, which can be used for campfires or as charcoal grills.
• Firewood and ice can be purchased at the park office.
• One vehicle is allowed per site in addition to camping unit. Additional vehicles are parked at office parking area adjacent to the campground. The parking fee is charged.
• Guests visiting campers must park in the parking area and leave by 10 p.m..
• Swimming and Boat Launching are free with camping. Electric motors only; no gas.
• A Campground Host is available at most times in campsite A-25 adjacent to Picnic Shelter.
• Sites are reserved by site type only, not by campground. The park assigns the specific site in a campground upon a guest's arrival to best meet the needs of the given campers.
• In Campground A, the only campground by the lake, there are 13 tent sites (10' x 10' tent pads) with no electric and water hookups and nine with such hookups to accommodate popups and equipment up to 20 feet long.
• Campground B has 14 sites with water and electric hookups to accommodate popups and equipment up to 20 feet long, and six sites with such hookups to accommodate equipment up to 35 feet long. (Note: The 35-foot length includes the combined length of the camper and tow vehicle. Those attempting to place equipment with a combined length exceeding 35 feet risk damaging their equipment.)
• Campground C, open April 1 through Oct. 31, has 11 electric and water tent. The campground can accommodate tents and small popup units.
• All sites are shaded.
• Please keep pets on a leash no longer than six feet. Pets are not allowed on the beach or in rental boats.
• Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Campers arriving late will find an envelope posted at the entrance station with instructions on how and when to register the following morning. Maps are provided designating the campsite location.

Number of each site type: EW, 34; RV35, 6; TENT, 13

EW - Electric/water sites; gravel parking area; can hold various equipment up to 20 feet; accepts outlets 20 and 30-amp current.

RV35 - Electric/water sites; gravel parking area; holds equipment up to 35 feet long; accepts 20 and 30-amp current; all located in Campground B.

TENT - Tents only. No hookups. Gravel parking area; tent pads and natural surface for setting up tent.

Total: 53 sites

Camping Lodge (bunkhouse) - no weekly requirement.

The park has a camping lodge (bunkhouse), which is not a full service lodge, for rent. It's a two-room trailer with seven bunk beds, a refrigerator, a microwave oven, a coffee pot, heating and air conditioning. The bunkhouse also has a charcoal grill and deck outside. Five vehicles are permitted with rental of the lodge; the daily parking fee must be paid for additional vehicles.

• Available only during camping season, March 1 to the first Monday in December.
  
• This facility goes online in January each year; unlike most overnight facilities, it is not sold 11 months in advance. Check-in is 3 p.m., and check-out is 10 a.m.
• The transfer deadline and cancellation and pet fees are the same as those for cabins.
• No linens are provided. Guests must bring their own linens and pillows.
• Maximum occupancy is 14. Guests are responsible for any damage.
• The minimum stay is two nights.
• It has no bathroom, kitchen or fireplace.
• The pet fee charged for the bunkhouse is the same as that charged for cabins.
  
• Cooking and smoking are not permitted in the camping lodge.
• Swimming is free but not guaranteed for overnight guests Memorial Day through Labor Day. 
  
• There’s no cable hookup.
• The unit is heated and air-conditioned. 
  
• Electrical outlets are available but limited to 50-amp service.
• It has seven bunk beds; no extra bed rentals.
• The camping lodge is located adjacent to our group campsite, which may be rented by calling the park.
• From April 1 through Oct. 31, camping lodge guests use the bathhouse in campground C, which is about 75 yards away. The bathhouse in campground A, which is about 200 yards away, is available during the shoulder seasons.

SWIMMING: Lake swimming: Available Memorial Day to Labor Day. (Please call the park for abbreviated weekday swimming hours up to mid-June and after mid-August through Labor Day. Please be aware that swimming and boat rentals may be unavailable some weekdays.) Swimming is free with camping. Open during the summer only, the swimming beach is complete with a bathhouse and concession operation featuring a wide range of sandwiches, snacks and drinks. Click here for park fees. In the summer, swimming is free for overnight guests in campsites, cabins and the lodge, however it cannot be guaranteed should circumstances beyond the park's control require that swimming be closed. We do not give refunds for swimming to overnight guests under any circumstances.

TRAILS: Hiking; no bicycle trails or rentals, however horses and bicycles allowed on multi-use hiking trail. The park also provides access to the Willis River Trail, a 16-mile long trail winding through the surrounding area. The 14-mile Cumberland Multi-use Trail also is available for bicycles, horses and hikers (this trail does not loop back into the park and is located on Virginia Department of Forestry property).

FISHING, BOATING: The 40-acre lake supports healthy populations of largemouth bass, crappie, bream and channel catfish. The Willis River, a small, slow moving tributary of the James, winds through Cumberland State Forest providing fishing opportunities to anyone with a canoe or small boat. Two canoe launches are located in Cumberland State Forest for access to the Willis River.

Boat rentals are available from Memorial Day to Labor Day. A boat launching ramp is available for non-gasoline powered boats. Shoulder season rentals are offered on weekends only during May and September. Parental supervision is required for all rentals, and pets are not allowed in rental boats. Rentals are sometimes cancelled during the shoulder season because of bad weather or staff shortages.

In addition, canoes, rowboats, trolling motors and paddleboats are available for rent. A valid Virginia fishing license is required for fishing. A market near the park entrance sells fishing licenses.

HUNTING: Fall hunting in nearby Cumberland State Forest. Call the state forest at (804) 492-4121 for specific dates. The park also has a 2-D multi-station archery range. Please call the park, (804) 492-4410, for details.

HORSES: None; 14-mile trail for horses for day-use only (bring your own horse).

PARKS CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Click here to view park events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.

VISITOR CENTER, GIFT SHOP: Merchandise can be purchased at the office, concession stand and boat house.

NATURE, HISTORY PROGRAMS: Campfire get-togethers, music activities, night hikes, nature crafts, survival skills, canoeing and many more activities are offered on weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Weekday programs are available on a limited basis. Groups may request special programming any time of year if they provide advance notice and the subject matter is relevant to Bear Creek's natural and historic resources. Click here to view park events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER: None.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: Lee’s Retreat Driving Tour, Farmville; State Forest and Game Commission Lands and Impoundments; Heart of Virginia Festival (May); Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce. Monticello, Ashlawn, Virginia's Retreat Civil War Driving Tour and the Appomattox Court House are within an hour's drive, as are tubing trips provided by the James River Runners Inc. in Scottsville.

PICNIC SHELTERS: The park offers lakeside picnicking near the swimming beach. Picnic facilities include drinking water, grills and restrooms. Picnic shelters are available by reservation by calling the Reservation Center at 1-800-933-PARK. Click here for park fees. Shelters can be rented from 8 a.m. to dusk (all day). Please note the hour in between for half day rental times. The shelter is rented April 1 through Oct. 31; boat rentals and swimming are available Memorial Day through Labor Day. Shelter parking is very limited so carpooling is recommended.

Cancellation policy: No refund within 14 days before reserved date. Before then, there's a cancellation fee.

• The park rents a 20' x 40' (small) shelter. It can accommodate up to 40 people and is 250 feet from the swimming beach, handicap fishing pier and boat rental house. The park's snackbar and bathhouses are about 350 feet away. The shelter features pedestal grills and tables but no electricity. There is a drinking fountain. Generators and amplified music are not allowed. Two commercial "play centers" with swings and a volleyball net are also within walking distance, as are trailheads for a hiking and a 14-mile multi-use trail. Parking and swimming fees are not included in the shelter rental fee.

ACCESSIBILITY:

• Restroom - Campground A
• Park office
• Concessions area, snack bar
• Restroom - beach bathhouses
• Showers in Campground A, and bathhouses in Campground C
• Fishing pier
• Although motorized vehicles are not permitted on park trails, electric wheelchairs and electric scooters that meet the federal definition for wheelchairs are allowed to enable people with disabilities to use the trails.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Bear Creek Meeting Hall

Reserve by calling 1-800-933-7275. This is a day-use facility. Because of limited parking, this facility is not reserved from Saturday through Monday on Memorial Day weekend, Independence Day weekend and Labor Day weekend.

• Please see the table below for prices.
• Wedding/event package: Two consecutive days' rental (discount)
• Maximum 65 people, 25 cars
• Kitchen: Electric range, refrigerator and freezer, microwave and dishwasher; no cookware, utensils, serving containers, flatware or dishware
• Customers who wish to serve alcoholic beverages must first obtain a banquet license from the local ABC office. This is the customer's responsibility, and the process may take up to a month. A copy of the ABC license must be given to park staff prior to the event. All consumption of alcoholic beverages during such events must take place within the meeting room.
• Caterers must provide a certificate of insurance and a valid health-department permit. Park staff can provide a list of caterers. Caterers are charged a commercial user’s parking fee. It is recommended that the group contact the park to pay this fee.
• A rental Terms of Agreement form must be read and signed before the date of the event.
• Decorations are permitted but may not be attached to painted surfaces and may not damage the facility in any way. Renters are responsible for damages or any excess cleaning of the facility required after the event.
• Those renting the hall are exempt from parking fees so long as they identify themselves as such at the contact station.
• No linens provided
• No smoking
• No pets allowed in this facility
• There is a 12-hanger coat rack.
• Internet access available; ask park staff for details
• Equipment rental: TV with DVD and VCR, overhead projector with screen, slide projector with screen, laptop and projector with screen, flip chart
• A podium without amplification is available at no charge.
• There is a large group grill available next to the patio.

Tables/chairs available (no charge). Guests should call the park at least two weeks ahead of time to arrange their event's setup. Many sizes and configurations are available. The facility seats about 40 for sit-down meal and about 65 without tables. In warm weather, up to twelve 48-inch tables with four chairs each can be set up on the facility’s stone patio.

Cancellation fees

Reservations must be paid in full within 14 days of the date the reservation is made. Cancellations can be made up until 14 days prior to the start of the reservation for a 10 percent cancellation fee or $100, whichever is less. Within 14 days prior to the first day of the reservation period, a 30 percent cancellation fee is charged.

Pricing

• Full day (8 a.m. - 10 p.m.) - $236
• Wedding/event package - $315 (30 percent cancellation fee, $94.50)
• Equipment; TV with VCR-DVD; overhead projector with screen; laptop with projector and screen; $10 each per day
• Equipment at no charge: podium with no amplification, dry erase board with markers, small easel

CONCESSIONS: The concession, swimming area and boat rentals are available from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday - Friday and 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. on weekends, Memorial Day through Labor Day. Please call the park regarding availability in early June and late August.

LAUNDRY: Closest laundromat is 7 miles away in Cumberland Court House.

RESTAURANT: No restaurant, but a small market just outside the park entrance carries a limited supply of grocery items and some camping supplies. The Town of Cumberland located on Route 60 approximately seven miles from the park has one small grocery stores, a post office, convenience stores and several small restaurants.

HISTORY: Bear Creek Lake was built in 1938 as a project of the Virginia Department of Agriculture through the State Forestry Division. Although this project was undertaken during the closing days of the Great Depression, the 100 men who built the lake were not members of the Civilian Conservation Corps. They were simply carpenters, farmers and unskilled laborers seeking jobs. Along with the lake, these men built two pavilions, a concession stand and six fireplaces. The land was given to the Division of State Parks in 1940, and it was operated as a day-use recreation area. In 1962 the division added campgrounds and the area's name was changed to Bear Creek Lake State Park.