Belle Isle State Park is a window to the beautiful lower Rappahannock River in Lancaster County.
The Setting
Located in the rural Northern Neck of Virginia, the 733-acre park is a window to the beautiful lower Rappahannock River in Lancaster County. The park has seven miles of frontage on the north shore of the Rappahannock, and it borders Deep and Mulberry creeks. It features diverse tidal and nontidal wetlands, lowland marshes, tidal coves and upland forests.
The trees surrounding the campground include: Sweet Gum, maple, Oaks, Yellow Poplar, Locust, Beech, Ash, Black Gum, Sycamore and Virginia Pine Understory trees and shrubs include: Holly, Dogwood, Redbud, Hornbeam, Mountain Laurel, Blueberry and Viburnum
The park has seven miles of frontage on the north shore of the Rappahannock, and it borders Deep and Mulberry creeks. It features diverse tidal and nontidal wetlands, lowland marshes and tidal coves
The property was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. John Bertrand, a Huguenot, first acquired the property in 1692. The Downman family operated Belle Isle plantation on the site throughout the 19th century. The Somers, Pollard, and Hamlin families owned the properties until the recent state acquisition. The historic Belle Isle mansion, which is not a part of the park, is owned by the Gruis family.
The Bel Air Mansion, built in 1942, was the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Garland Pollard Jr. This Colonial reproduction house was designed by Thomas Tilson Waterman, an architectural historian with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in its early years. The construction of the building included using interior materials from other notable historic buildings in the local area. Current furnishings in the building include solid hardwood, Colonial reproductions and oriental rugs that maintain the historic character of the building. Occupancy of the mansion is limited to six because of fire code requirements.
The Facility
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All campsites have electric pedestals, which accept plugs for 20, 30 and 50 AMP current.
- Reservations are not site specific. Check-in is 4 p.m.; check-out is 3 p.m. If you arrive earlier than 4 p.m., the park will accommodate as soon as possible. You are welcome to enjoy the park until then.
- Campsites have fire ring grills, one picnic table and lantern hangers.
- Full-service bathhouse with hot showers and wash sink for dishes.
- Laundry facilities are at the campground bathhouse.
- All equipment must be set up within borders. Tent pads are 15’ x 24’.
- Two vehicles per campsite; extra vehicles must park in parking lot and pay the parking fee. Guests visiting campers must pay the standard daily parking fee and park in the proper parking lot. Also, visitors must pay for any day use services and leave the park by 10 p.m.
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- Boat trailer parking and additional parking are just inside the campground entrance.
- A dump station is free for those camping in the park; non-overnight guests must pay to use the dump station.
- Boat launch is free for overnight guests.
- Camp store: Camping and picnic supplies and gift items are available.
- Three picnic shelters overlooking the historic Rappahannock River are available for rent year-round. They are available from sunrise until the park closes (all day).
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Park Features
The diverse habitats found in the park provide homes to many predator birds, such as blue herons, osprey, hawks and bald eagles, white-tailed deer, turkeys, groundhogs, rabbits, squirrels, moles, reptiles and amphibians. There are eight distinct types of wetlands within the park. These diverse ecosystems make Belle Isle an excellent outdoor laboratory for environmental education. Easy acceess to the Rappahannock River and tidal marshes make Belle Isle the perfect place to camp and paddle.
Camping Tips
- Belle offers various special events, educational and outdoor programs throughout the year. Please check with the park office for a current program guide
- Fishing: Saltwater bank fishing. A valid Virginia saltwater fishing license required.
- Boating: The park offers guided canoe trips during the summer season. A new ramp is available for the motor boaters and cartop launch area for canoes, kayaks and windsails. Boaters are encouraged to visit by way of water. The motor boat area offers a picnic shelter, grills and restrooms. Docking is permitted during daylight hours. Controlling water depth at the mouth of Deep Creek is two feet mean low water. Purchase an annual boat launch passport by calling 1-800-933-PARK.
- Equipment rentals offer opportunities to explore the park’s 7.5 miles of shoreline on the Rappahannock River, Deep and Mulberry Creeks, in addition to the seven varieties of wetlands and coastal agricultural fields
Address
1632 Belle Isle Road
Lancaster, VA 22503
Learn more about this park and book your reservation online 
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