Burke Lake Park

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

The 888-acre Burke Lake Park is dominated by Lake Burke. Vesper Island, located within the lake, is maintained by the state as a refuge. For wildlife watchers, there is a 4.5 mile trail that circles the lake where a variety of waterfowl may be observed during the winter. Bald eagles can be seen around the lake and there is also a bluebird trail.

Note: To access the lake, a Restore the Wild Membership, Virginia hunting license, freshwater fishing license, boat registration, or an access permit is required.

Directions

Physical Address: 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, VA 22039

From Previous Site on the Bull Run Loop of VBWT:

From Hemlock Overlook, travel east on Rt. 615/Yates Ford Road for 1.8 miles to Rt. 645/Clifton Road; turn right (south) on Clifton Road and drive for 3.8 miles to SR 123/Ox Road. Proceed South on SR 123 for 0.5 miles to the entrance to Burke Lake on the left.

Location & Directions

View on Google Maps

Site Information

  • Site Contact: (703) 323-6600 x202, keith.o'[email protected]
  • Website
  • Access: Park: Free (residents), $10 (non-residents, weekends and holidays), April-October. Lake: Restore the Wild Membership, hunting license, freshwater fishing license, boat registration, or an access permit is required.

Birds Recently Seen at Burke Lake Park (as reported to eBird)

  • Red-tailed Hawk
  • Canada Goose
  • Mallard
  • Ring-billed Gull
  • Pied-billed Grebe
  • Double-crested Cormorant
  • Great Blue Heron
  • Red-shouldered Hawk
  • Belted Kingfisher
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker

Seasonal Bird Observations

Facilities

  • Bike Trails
  • Camping
  • Fee
  • Food
  • Accessible
  • Hiking Trails
  • Information
  • Parking
  • Picnic
  • Restrooms
  • Kayak/Canoe Launch
  • Canoe/Kayak Rentals
  • Boat Ramp