Bear Creek Lake, established in 1938 in Cumberland County, was created by the Virginia Department of Agriculture (under direction of the U.S. Forest Service) as a “Recreation Development Area.” About 100 men who may have been part of a Civilian Conservation Corps effort built the lake, two pavilions, a concession stand, and six fireplaces. The lake was given to the Division of State Parks in 1940 and operated as a day-use recreation area. In 1962, the division added campgrounds and changed the name to Bear Creek Lake State Park. Surrounded by the 16,000-acre Cumberland State Forest, the park encompasses 326 acres centered on the 40-acre Bear Creek Lake. During the 1970s, the Bear Creek Lake State Park undertook an ambitious construction program when new facilities were built. In 2007, 12 cabins, a lodge, and the Bear Creek Lake Conference Center were added.

Bear Creek Lake State Park was listed in the registers under the Virginia State Parks Built by New Deal Programs, including CCC and WPA, Multiple Property Document (MPD).