Bridle Creek Public Boat Landing

Important Notices

COVID-19 & the VBWTBefore heading out to visit a site on the Virginia Bird & Wildlife Trail, be sure to check if that site has any COVID-19 policies or closures in place. This information is typically posted on a site's own website.

Description

Elevation: 2397 ft.

This boat landing is located next to the mouth of Bridle Creek, creating a variety of habitats in a small area. The river in this area is quite shallow and not as broad as at previous boat ramps. Northern rough-winged and barn swallows frequent these waters, perching themselves prominently on dead snags along both banks. The sycamore typical of these riverbanks are not as large as at some of the other boat ramps but the yellow-throated vireo don’t mind. These residents are still happy to chase caterpillars along the sycamore branches, while downy woodpecker trill from deep within their crowns. Along the nearby Bridle Creek the bushes are stuffed with singing song sparrow and indigo bunting. Ebony jewelwing sparkle as they flit along the stream’s banks, maintaining their distance from the main river.

Directions

From the Independence Boat Landing, return to US 21/US 221 North. Turn right and follow this road north for 0.6 miles to Rt. 703. Turn left on Rt. 703 proceed 2.1 miles to its intersection with US 58 West. Go west on US 58 for 0.8 miles to Rt. 711. Turn left on Rt. 711 and travel 3.5 miles to its intersection with Rt. 601/Bridle Creek Road. The parking area will be on the left 0.2 miles past the intersection. This site is viewable only by boat.

Location & Directions

View on Google Maps

Site Information

Birds Recently Seen at Bridle Creek Public Boat Landing (as reported to eBird)

  • Canada Goose
  • Mourning Dove
  • Belted Kingfisher
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker
  • Eastern Phoebe
  • American Crow
  • Common Raven
  • Carolina Chickadee
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • White-breasted Nuthatch

Seasonal Bird Observations

Facilities

  • Parking
  • Site Viewable Only By Boat