Burchell-Beech Creek Wildlife Management Area

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Burchell-Beech Creek Wildlife Management Area is a 9,600-acre area located in the state of Kentucky that offers visitors a chance to experience the natural beauty of the region.


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Summary

This wildlife management area is open to the public for hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing.

Some good reasons to visit Burchell-Beech Creek Wildlife Management Area include the abundance of wildlife species that can be seen throughout the area. Visitors can expect to see deer, turkey, black bear, and a variety of bird species. Additionally, the area's diverse habitats, including wetlands, forests, and open fields, provide a unique opportunity to see a variety of wildlife in their natural habitats.

Specific points of interest to see within the area include the Beech Creek Bottoms Wildlife Viewing Area, which features an observation deck with views of the wetlands and wildlife. Other areas of interest include the multiple ponds and streams within the area that provide opportunities for fishing and wildlife viewing.

Interesting facts about the area include that it was once home to a large population of elk that were reintroduced to the area in 1997. Additionally, the area is known for its high-quality hunting opportunities, with deer and turkey being the most popular game species.

The best time of year to visit Burchell-Beech Creek Wildlife Management Area is during the fall and winter months when hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities are at their peak. However, visitors can also enjoy the area during the spring and summer months when the wildflowers are in bloom and migratory bird species can be seen.

Overall, Burchell-Beech Creek Wildlife Management Area offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the region and see a variety of wildlife species in their natural habitats.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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