Description
A variety of wildlife may be viewed on Lake Pelham (also known as Lake Culpeper). Check around the reed edges for other species such as wood duck, American coot, and pied-billed grebe. During winter, the lake can often support rafts of American widgeon, gadwall, northern shoveler, and ruddy ducks, to name a few. The numerous dead snags in the area support belted kingfishers and may occasionally turn up an osprey. A good variety of landbirds is also present. Other wildlife to spot include eastern painted turtles, sunning themselves in large groups. In warmer weather the shoreline is a favored spot by dragonflies such as prince baskettail, eastern pondhawk and common whitetail; these odonates are often joined by eastern tiger swallowtails, common buckeyes and the occasional American snout.
Notes:
- This site is included on the VBWT as a place to bird and view wildlife on the water. Watercraft rentals are available from Lake Culpeper Adventures. There are no walking trails.
- A boating permit is required for visitors who don’t rent equipment from Lake Culpeper Adventures.
Wildlife Sightings
Birds Recently Seen at Lake Culpeper:
126 species have been reported at this site to date.
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Aug 2025 | 10 | Caroline Emmet Heald |
| 5 Aug 2025 | 22 | Caroline Emmet Heald |
| 3 Jul 2025 | 8 | Nick Newberry |
| 3 Jul 2025 | 8 | Frederick Atwood |
| 27 May 2025 | 6 | Lawrence Giesting |
Amenities & Accessibility Considerations
Site Amenities
- On-site Parking
- Restrooms
- Kayak/Canoe Launch
- Boat Ramp
Other Site Amenities: Paddlecraft Rentals
Maps & Directions
Physical Address: 18019 Country Store Drive, Culpeper, VA 22701
From James Madison Highway/US-15, merge onto James Monroe Highway/US-29 South toward Charlottesville, and the Lake Culpeper Adventures at The Ole Country Store & Bakery is on the right just past the bridge.
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.