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.
Wildlife Sightings
Birds Recently Seen at Burke Lake Park:
- Canada Goose
- Mallard
- Great Blue Heron
- Ring-necked Duck
- Lesser Scaup
- Ruddy Duck
- American Coot
- Ring-billed Gull
- Pied-billed Grebe
- Red-shouldered Hawk
209 species have been reported at this site to date.
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Nov 2026 | 3 | Eugenio Garza |
| 5 Nov 2026 | 21 | Kurt Gaskill |
| 5 Nov 2026 | 20 | Kurt Gaskill |
| 4 Nov 2026 | 7 | Livi Stiverson |
| 3 Nov 2026 | 21 | Mike Cianciosi |
Amenities & Accessibility Considerations
Site Amenities
- On-site Parking
- Restrooms
- Kayak/Canoe Launch
- Boat Ramp
Other Site Amenities: Bike Trails, Camping/Lodging, Hiking Trails, Paddlecraft Rentals
Maps & 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.
Site Information
Managed By:
Access Requirements:
Contact Information:
- Visit Website
Sites, or portions of sites, can be closed periodically for management activities. Please always check the site’s website for additional information prior to visiting.