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Tidewater Region
Belle Isle State Park
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Belle Isle State Park © Virginia State Parks / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Uploaded by SA for guest blogger Bob D and Kevin D.Learn more about Belle Isle State Park in Virginia here http//www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/belle-islegeneral_information
Belle Isle State Park © vastateparksstaff / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
At Belle Isle State Park, Virginia
Belle Isle State Park © Virginia State Parks / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
kayaks on sandbar river, Park info lta hrefhttp//www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/belle-islegeneral_information relnofollowgtwww.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/belle-islegeneral_infor...lt/agt
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BELLE ISLE STATE PARK
BELLE ISLE STATE PARK
1632 Belle Isle Road
Lancaster, Virginia   22503
(lat:37.7829 lon:-76.58) map location

Phone: 804-462-5030
Belle Isle has seven miles of shoreline on the Northern Neck's Rappahannock River and provides access to Mulberry and Deep creeks. The park lets visitors explore a wide variety of tidal wetlands interspersed with farmland and upland forests. It has a campground, three picnic shelters, hiking, biking and bridle trails, and motor boat and car-top launches. Belle Isle also offers overnight lodging at Bel Air and the Bel Air Guest House. Bicycle, canoe and kayak rentals are available. Guests also enjoy the park's universal access playground, boardwalk and fishing pier, and educational programs.
Nature of the Area
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 are also common. There are eight distinct types of wetlands within the park. These diverse ecosystems make Belle Isle an excellent outdoor laboratory for environmental education.
History of the Area
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 Plantation House, previously owned by the Gruis family, has recently been acquired by the park but is not yet open.
Lodge
The Bel Air Overnight Area Bel Air houseis a 33-acre peninsula of land at the mouth of Deep Creek in Lancaster County. Views of beautiful sunsets over the Rappahannock River make this Northern Neck landmark an ideal place to spend a week with friends, family or associates.

Two houses may be rented together or separately.

The facility is well suited for weddings and other large events. Any event likely to have more than normal occupancy, however, requires prior approval by park staff. Many issues, such as catering, parking, bathroom access, set-up and alcoholic beverage permits, may require park special use permits. Also, all house guests are equally liable for damage to furnishings.

The Bel Air House also called the Mansion for reservations, and the Guest House areavailable for rent year-round. Depending on the time of year, a two-night, four-night or week-long minimum stay may be required. Those planning a wedding or family reunion should be aware that both houses must be rented for the event.
Camping
The park offers full-service and primitive camping. The full-service camping season is from the first Friday in March to the first Monday in December. Primitive camping is year-round. There are no designated swimming areas at this park.


Location
Belle Isle State Park is

Picnicking
Two picnic shelters overlooking the historic Rappahannock River and one that overlooks Deep Creek are available for rent year-round. They are available from sunrise until the park closes all day.

Humphreys Shelter Shelter 1 It can accommodate up to 70 within the shelter and another 40 about it. It is universally accessible, offers beach access great for fishing, with a valid Virginia fishing license - there are no designated swimming areas, and features a great view of the waterway. It includes a pig-cooker, grills, picnic tables, electrical outlet, and is 100 feet from parking, 100 feet from a playground and 200 feet from a restroom.

Rappahannock Shelter Shelter 2 It can accommodate up to 70 within the shelter and another 40 about it. It is universally accessible, offers beach access great for fishing, with a valid Virginia fishing license - there are no designated swimming areas, and features a great view of the waterway. It includes a grill, picnic tables and is 100 feet from parking and 140 feet from a restroom.

Deep Creek Shelter Shelter 3 It can accommodate up to 24 within the shelter and another 20 about it. It is universally accessible. There's no fishing, but it features a great view of the waterway. It's accessible by boat. It includes grills, picnic tables and is 80 feet from parking and 35 feet from a restroom.

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Area Campgrounds
Grey's Point Camp
3601 Grey's Point Road
Topping, VA
804-758-2485
Bethpage Camp-Resort
679 Browns Lane
Urbanna, VA
804-758-4349
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
Lancaster County on the Rappahannock River. From Warsaw, take State Route 3 East to SR 354. Turn right and follow for three miles. Turn right onto SR 683 at Somers to the park entrance. From Kilmarnock, take Route 3 West to Lively, then left on SR 201 for three miles, then right on SR 354 for three miles and left onto 683 to the park entrance.

Its address is 1632 Belle Isle Rd., Lancaster, VA 22503 Latitude, 37.774414. Longitude -76.599364.

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