Bear Creek State Park
Piedmont Lake Park Within Cumberland State Forest — 326 Acres on 40-Acre Bear Creek Lake, Campground With Electric and Water Hookup Sites, Yurts and Camping Cabins Available, Sandy Swimming Beach With Lifeguards, Fishing for Largemouth Bass Bluegill and Channel Catfish, Electric-Motor Boating With Boat Ramp, 16 Miles of Hiking and Mountain Biking Trails, Within 16,000-Acre Cumberland State Forest, Near Cumberland Virginia
Bear Creek Lake State Park is a 326-acre state park on 40-acre Bear Creek Lake within the 16,000-acre Cumberland State Forest in Cumberland County, Virginia, managed by Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). The park features a campground with electric and water hookup sites for tents and RVs, yurts and camping cabins available for rent, a sandy swimming beach with seasonal lifeguards, fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and sunfish, electric-motor-only boating with a concrete boat ramp, 16 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails through mixed pine and hardwood forest, canoe and kayak rentals, picnic areas and shelters, a playground, and access to the broader Cumberland State Forest multiuse trail system.
Bear Creek Lake sits embedded within the Cumberland State Forest — giving visitors 16,000 acres of surrounding forest to explore beyond the park’s 326 acres. The multiuse trail system connects the park to miles of forest roads and singletrack popular with mountain bikers.
The yurts and camping cabins provide a comfortable “glamping” option in the heart of Virginia’s Piedmont — perfect for visitors who want the forest experience without a tent.
Things to Do
- Swimming — sandy beach, seasonal lifeguards
- Fishing — bass, bluegill, catfish
- Camping — hookup sites, yurts, cabins
- Mountain biking — 16 mi + forest trails
- Boating — electric motors only, rentals
- Hiking — Cumberland State Forest access
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Cumberland County, VA |
| Size | 326 acres (within 16,000-ac forest) |
| Lake | Bear Creek Lake — 40 acres |
| Camping | E/W hookups, yurts, cabins |
| Swimming | Sandy beach — lifeguards |
| Boating | Electric motors only |
| Managed By | Virginia DCR |
| Coordinates | 37.5167° N, 78.2833° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Wildlife & Nature
Bear Creek SP — 326 acres on Bear Creek Lake — provides recreation in Virginia’s Piedmont region. The park’s lake, pine-hardwood forest, and meadows support white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and bald eagles. Largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish fill the lake. Barred owls call at dusk.
Nearby Attractions
Cumberland — adjacent. Cumberland SF — surrounding (16,233 acres). Farmville — 15 miles south. Appomattox Court House NHP — 30 miles west — where Lee surrendered to Grant.
Does Bear Creek Lake State Park have yurts?
Yes — Bear Creek Lake State Park in Cumberland County, Virginia offers yurts and camping cabins alongside traditional campsites with electric and water hookups. The 326-acre park on 40-acre Bear Creek Lake within the 16,000-acre Cumberland State Forest also features a sandy swimming beach with lifeguards, fishing for bass, bluegill, and catfish, electric-motor boating, canoe/kayak rentals, and 16+ miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. Managed by Virginia DCR.
Last updated: May 2026
