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Park Authority

  1. Home
  2. Park Authority
  3. Burke Lake On Your Own

Alert:

CONTACT INFORMATION: Open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
703-324-8700 TTY 711
parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov
12055 Government Center Pkwy.
Fairfax, Virginia 22035
fairfaxparks
Jai Cole
Executive Director

Department Resources

  • Department Homepage
  • Hours
    • Operational Hours
    • Holiday Hours & Class Schedules
    • Rec Center Schedules
  • Parks
    • Find It
    • Waterfront Parks
    • Nature and History
    • Water Parks and Spray Grounds
    • Sports and Fitness
    • Specialty Attractions
  • Rec Centers
    • Rec Centers Home
    • Memberships
    • Rec Center Schedules
    • Audrey Moore
    • Cub Run
    • Franconia
    • George Washington
    • Mount Vernon
    • Oakmont
    • Providence
    • South Run
    • Spring Hill
  • Golf Courses
    • Golf Home
    • Operating Status
    • Burke Lake Golf Center
    • Greendale Golf Course
    • Jefferson Golf Course
    • Laurel Hill Golf Club
    • Oakmont Golf Center
    • Pinecrest Golf Course
    • Twin Lakes Golf Course
  • Events Calendar
  • Park Reservations
    • Picnic Areas (Picnic shelters, canopy’s, gazebos)
    • Camping Reservations
    • Golf Tee Times
    • Water Mine
    • Our Special Harbor
  • Programs and Activities
    • PARKTAKES ONLINE
    • Summer Entertainment Series
    • Classes
    • Camps
    • Popular Activities
    • Farmers Markets
    • Healthy Strides
    • Preschool
    • Group Activities
    • Gift Cards
    • Wonder Wagon
    • Dogs of Fairfax County
    • Older Adults
  • Park Maintenance Requests
    • Request Tree and Debris Removal
    • Athletic Field Maintenance
  • Board and Committee Meetings
  • Park Budget and Fees
  • Natural and Cultural Resources
    • Archaeology and Collections
    • Heritage Conservation
    • Nature and Natural Resources
  • Trails
    • Trails Home
    • Trail Buddy
    • Discovery Trail Map
    • Accessible Trails
    • Cross County Trail
    • Bike Trails
    • Equestrian Trails
    • Trail Mix QR Code Fitness Trails
    • First Hike
  • Special Topics
  • Jobs at the Park Authority
    • #joinFCPA
    • Jobs
  • Rentals and Permits
    • Park Use Permits
    • Facility Rentals
    • Easements and Permits
  • Long Range Planning
  • Planning and Improvements
    • Planning Projects
    • Development Projects
    • Park Bond
    • Quarterly Project Updates
  • Park News
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Stay Informed and Engaged
    • Park News
    • Subscribe to E-News and E-Newsletters
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    • Volunteer
    • Park Volunteer Teams
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  • Parks Website Comments

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Burke Lake On Your Own

View Operational Hours   View Holiday Hours
Burke lake park

Burke Lake On Your Own

Burke Lake Park’s centerpiece is a 218-acre lake with:

  • 5.25 miles of fishing shoreline
  • Four fishing bulkheads at the state game area
  • A new fishing pier
  • A boat launch dock

Accessibility:

  • The fishing bulkheads and fishing pier are accessible to people with disabilities.
    Trails:
  • A 4.68-mile trail circles the lake, starting at the marina parking lot.

Burke Lake Park is home to one of the oldest disc golf courses in Virginia.
Course features:

  • Built in 1979
  • Runs through rolling hills and forested areas
  • 18-hole professional course
  • Par-3 disc golf course
  • Practice putting basket

Discs are available for rent at the Information Center.

Burke Lake Park has multiple open fields that can be used for:

  • Organized games
  • Outdoor sports
  • Picnics
  • Nature observation
  • Kite flying
  • Walking your pets

Additional notes:

  • You may see the train go by and wave as it passes.
  • Grilling is not allowed in any open field.
  • If you plan to grill, please use the Picnic Loop.

Come out and enjoy the many possibilities.

Burke Lake Park has four playgrounds located:

  • Next to Shelter A
  • Next to Shelter C
  • Next to the Ice Cream Parlor
  • In the campground

Playground features:

  • Slides
  • Other fun play structures for kids
  • All playgrounds are close to restrooms

Note: The campground playground is for registered campers only.

Burke Lake Park boasts one of the 10 best fitness trails in the nation, according to the American Hiking Society.
Trail highlights:

  • Located near a major metropolitan area
  • Suitable for use before or after work or during lunch breaks
  • Portions can be completed in 60 to 90 minutes

Come fish at Burke Lake and try for:

  • Largemouth bass
  • Walleye
  • Muskie
  • Catfish
  • Black crappie
  • Yellow perch
  • White perch
  • Sunfish
  • Bluegill

On the lake:

  • Rent a boat for the day to fish and explore the 218-acre lake. 

Bait and tackle (available at the bait house when the marina is open):

  • Nightcrawlers
  • Chicken liver
  • Clam snout
  • Shrimp
  • Squid
  • Tackle

People of all ages enjoy fishing at Burke Lake Park.
Requirement:

  • Anglers 16 and older must have a Virginia fishing license.
Get Boating Information   Buy a Fishing License

Come paddle on our 218-acre lake! You can rent a boat from us or bring your own.
At our bait house, you can rent:

  • A rowboat
  • A canoe
  • A motorboat (a rowboat with an electric trolling motor and battery on the back)

To rent a boat, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Have a photo ID
  • Be on board the rental boat at all times

Each boat may have up to three people. Pets are not allowed on rental boats, excluding service animals.

Rent a Boat

Visit the Burke Lake Park Ice Cream Parlor! The parlor offers delicious ice cream in several flavors, plus snacks and drinks.

Shelter E and F are nearby, making the Ice Cream Parlor a great place to host a birthday party or small gathering. It is also close to the train station, mini-golf and a playground, so it is the perfect spot to cool down and relax after a fun day at Burke Lake Park.

Four courts are available for reservation. If courts are not reserved, they may be used on a first-come, first-served basis. The courts are located in the picnic loop.
For reservations, please call 703-324-8732. 

  • Hourly rental fee: $35
  • Hourly rental fee with paid picnic reservation: $30

See a different side of Burke Lake Park and learn or practice both old-school and new-school navigation skills.
Burke Lake has:

  • One orienteering course (behind the Information Center)  
  • A Boy Scout–built GPS course  
  • Many hidden geocaches  

Pick up orienteering maps at the Information Center.

Programs & Activities

Classes and Camps
Birdwatching
Boating
Fishing
Plants and Wildlife
Inaccessible
Scout Programs

Facilities & Rentals

Burke Lake HOME
Campgrounds
Ice Cream Parlor
Marina
Mini Golf
Picnics
Rides - Train and Carousel
Trails

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