I’d been meaning to post a writeup about Bear Creek Lake State Park for most of the summer when I stumbled across this piece from Virginia State Parks. Turns out Shellie Anne, the blog editor for VSP, did the hard work for me!

A cabin at Bear Creek Lake State Park.

Why have I been meaning to write about Bear Creek Lake? Because it’s an under-the-radar but not out-of-the-way natural gem that’s only a 45-minute drive west (or less) for many Richmonders.

BCL has a little bit of everything. Fishing, paddling and swimming at the eponymous 40-acre lake. Tons of hiking and biking trails in the park and in the connected Cumberland State Forest. Camping at primitive sites and cabins.

Looking for an easy day trip from Richmond before the kids head back to school? Bear Creek Lake has something for everyone. Click here to read more about it.