Everyone loves Belle Isle State Park!

Sunset at Belle Isle State Park

Belle Isle State Park's 30th Anniversary is on April 22, 2023

Virginia State Parks provide conservation, recreation and relaxation opportunities in some pretty special places, and one such place is Belle Isle State Park in Lancaster County in the Northern Neck.  

Established as a Virginia State Park in April of 1993, the property was originally slated to be a housing development. Today, the 892-acre park provides access to the beautiful Rappahannock River and welcomes more than 47,000 visitors a year.  

You are invited to join staff, volunteers and the Friends of Belle Isle State Park as they celebrate the park's 30th anniversary. It also happens to be Earth Day - with some of our favorite activities!

Rapp River Run

9 a.m. Meet at the Picnic Area (registration starts at 8:30 a.m.)

Start the day off on the right foot as the Friends of Belle Isle State Park host the Rapp River Run 5K Trail Run/Walk  You’ll travel over beautiful trails and boardwalk to the finish line for a celebratory slice of birthday cake. Every registered participant will also receive a Rapp River Run ball cap. 

 For more info and to register, https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Lancaster/RappRiverRun.  The deadline for registration is April 19, 2023.

Bald Eagle at Belle Isle State Park, photo by park volunteer Bob Sutherland

 1 p.m. Earth Day Eagle Hike  

Meet at the car-top boat launch. We’ll take a walk along Mud Creek Trail and view two of the park’s active eagle nests while we pick up any trash along the way. Please check the events calendar for more information.

Hay wagon in front of the historic Belle Isle Manor

4 p.m. History Hayride

If you’ve ever been curious about who has called Belle Isle home in the past, be sure to pre-register for our program. The time-traveler wagon will take you on a journey through the park as you learn about the past, look forward to the future, and discover all that makes Belle Isle State Park such a special place.

Astronomy photo by park volunteer Bob Sutherland

7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Astronomy program

Belle Isle State Park is also on its way to joining four other Virginia State Parks as an International Dark Sky Park. To finish out the birthday bash, we’re hosting our second Dark Sky program: Stellar Astronomy. Join retired NASA engineer and scientist Brad Perry and other local astronomers to learn about the stars we see in the night sky, how light pollution could put an end to our stargazing and what steps the park is taking to prevent it.  

If you can’t make it to Belle Isle on April 22, you can still enjoy our nine miles of trails, seven miles of shorelines, visitor center and diverse habitats year-round. We also offer camping – both RV and primitive - and overnight accommodations in the Bel Air Area. If you have questions about these or other upcoming programs, please give the park office a call at 804-462-5030.

We hope to see you out enjoying the park and celebrating our 30th year!