Description
Much of the 53-acre Western Branch Reservoir is currently inaccessible to outdoor enthusiasts except by boat.
Land birds can be readily seen along the lake edges, and the reservoir is visited by a variety of puddle ducks, including wood ducks, during winter.
NOTE:
A Boat Permit from the City of Norfolk is required to launch a boat from this site. Please obtain ahead of your visit as these are not available for sale onsite.
Wildlife Sightings
Birds Recently Seen at Western Branch Reservoir:
91 species have been reported at this site to date.
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Jan 2026 | 6 | Corby Amos |
| 1 Jan 2026 | 27 | Corby Amos |
| 24 Dec 2025 | 9 | Rob Bielawski |
| 16 Dec 2025 | 11 | Corby Amos |
| 6 Dec 2025 | 11 | Timothy Blanchard |
Amenities & Accessibility Considerations
Site Amenities
- On-site Parking
- Restrooms
- Kayak/Canoe Launch
- Boat Ramp
Maps & Directions
Physical Address: 4601 Girl Scout Dr, Suffolk, VA 23434
The Western Branch Reservoir can be accessed via a boat ramp off SR 633 (Girl Scout Dr) north of the Lake Prince Pumping Station.
From I-264 in Virginia Beach/Norfolk, continue west and over the Berkley Bridge in Downtown Norfolk. Follow signs for I-264 W/Downtown Tunnel/Portsmouth. In 7.1 miles, take exit 1 for I-664 toward US 13/US 58/US 460/Bowers Hill/Suffolk/Richmond and continue on I-664 N for 0.7 miles. Take exit 13A/B to merge onto US 13 S/US 58 W toward US 460 W/Suffolk. In 11.3 miles, take the US 460 exit toward Peterburg. Turn right onto US 460 W/Pruden Blvd. In 2.0 miles, turn right (north) onto Lake Prince Dr/SR 604 and continue for 0.8 miles. Turn right (northeast) onto Girl Scout Dr/SR 633 and continue for 1.5 miles until the entrance appears to the right just before a bend in the road.
From I-95 in Richmond/Petersburg, continue south. Take exit 47 for SR 629/Rives Rd and turn left (east). In 1.9 miles, turn right to stay on SR 629 E. Then, turn right onto US 460 E and continue for 47.5 miles. Turn left (north) onto Lake Prince Dr/SR 604 and continue for 0.8 miles. Turn right (northeast) onto Girl Scout Dr/SR 633 and continue for 1.5 miles until the entrance appears to the right just before a bend in the road.
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.