Shared by Nick Riedel - AmeriCorps Volunteer, as Guest Blogger.

Over the summer I had the pleasure of serving as the AmeriCorps Virginia Service and Conservation Corps Interpreter at Belle Isle State Park; the only state park on the Rappahannock River.  As soon as I began my service, I fell in love with the beauty of the area, whether it be in the marshes, forests, fields or the mighty Rappahannock River, which is about two miles wide at the park.  One of the most beautiful times to see Belle Isle is while the sun is going down during sunset.  Living at the park has allowed me to explore and find the best places for viewing and photographing the amazing reds, yellows and oranges as nature would put on an amazing show at the end of each day.  Through my time here I have found three places in the park that have provided great and different perspectives of the sun going down.  I want to share with you these sites, the pictures I have been able to capture from each one and some tips that helped me capture the perfect photograph at these locations.  So, let’s go explore the park!

 Sunset over Mulberry Creek

Probably the best and most accessible place to see the sunset in Belle Isle is along Mulberry Creek Boardwalk. The fishing pier provides the best spot for viewing the setting sun over Mulberry Creek and the quiet village of Morattico.  If you are lucky the water will be smooth as glass and provide a beautiful reflection.  If you are a fisherman (or woman) or have a friend or family member who likes fishing, bring them along and try capturing a cool silhouette picture of them fishing on the pier with the sun setting behind them!  When you continue walking along the boardwalk over to the bench at the corner of the path, look behind you, you can sometimes get what I call a “back door sunset.”  This is when the clouds behind you are lit up by the setting sun, which is in front of you and this can sometimes be just as beautiful as the sunset itself.  I also like looking for unique spots that most people wouldn’t think of trying to capture a picture of the sunset.  I found this by positioning the binoculars on the observation pier in a way where the sunset was reflected in the lens; it made for a nice picture!

An unexpected sunset view

If you are camping at the park and want to try a sunset hike, check out Watch House Trail!  Watch House Trail runs from the camp store to Watch House Point, which is the site of an old house that used to guard the river from the dreaded Oyster Pirates during the Oyster Wars (Oyster Pirates, what are those?! You’ll have to go on the Ramblin’ with a Ranger hike or stop by the park's Visitor Center in order to find out!).  The trail is an easy 1.2-mile-long round trip that is surrounded in areas by one of the parks’ most unique natural habitats: tidal marshes.  As you are hiking down the trail you can get an excellent view of the sun setting over the marsh and Mulberry Creek, and if you are lucky you might be treated by a heron, osprey or even a bald eagle (or if you’re super lucky, all three!) flying over head which can make for an amazing picture opportunity!

Sunset over the tidal marshes along Watch House Trail

Once you get to the end of the trail, you actually will not have a direct view of the sun going down because you will be facing South as you’re looking over the river.  However, if you turn to your right, so you’re facing west, the sun usually lights up the sky behind the trees which creates a beautiful scene.  Plus, you have the relaxing sound of water lapping up against the beach; how could you go wrong with that?!  Be sure to check tide charts before heading out; if there is a low tide around the time of sunset, you will have a little bit of a beach that you can take pictures on at the end of the trail! 

Sunset at Watch House Point               

The last place to view the sunset on my list is at Brewer’s Point Campground. If you are feeling adventurous, I highly recommend reserving a campsite at this primitive hike-in/canoe-in campground. You will not regret it!  This beautiful location where Mulberry Creek meets up with the Rappahannock provides the perfect sunset view.  Brewer’s Point is one of the most peaceful and relaxing spots in the park, (in my opinion at least) especially during the sunset! And if you can camp during the week, you are almost sure to have the whole place to yourself. 

Brewer's Point Campground is the perfect sunset spot

Here are some quick tips that can work at any of these locations and help you be a happy sunset viewer and/or photographer! 

• Always wear bug spray; especially when out hiking!  There is no worse feeling than forgetting to put bug spray on and having mosquitoes and other bugs eating you alive as you’re trying to enjoy yourself! 
• If you have a smart phone, be sure to download a sunset app that gives the specific time of the sunset in your area, so you don’t miss another sunset!  After the sun goes down, don’t just pack up and leave; stick around!  There is usually a ‘second sunset’ that comes 20-30 minutes after the sun dips below the horizon which is just as beautiful as the initial one that you won’t want to miss! 
• Check the weather forecast!  If storms have gone through recently, the cloud cover can help to make an epic sunset!  However, always use safety first; if you can still hear thunder, you can be struck by lightning.  It can be cool to see and photograph the sunset during this time, but not if you get hurt in the process. 
• The last three tips are specifically for photographers:  You will want to be sure to have a tripod with you when going out to take sunset pictures at the park!  You can get good pictures without one before the sun dips down below the horizon, but after that you will need to have your lens open longer as the light decreases, making a tripod essential.  Always play with your zoom settings on your camera; you can get several different pictures from the same location if you do this (i.e. zooming on a heron standing in the water and getting the reflection of the sunset in the water under it, then zooming out to also capture the trees behind it).  Lastly, always think outside the box!  I have found these good locations for photographing the sunset in Belle Isle, but you might find some other good locations if you are willing to take the time! 

I hope this has made you want to come out to Belle Isle State Park to view the sunset!  If you have never been out to this beautiful park before, you now have a valid excuse to go visit it; what are you waiting for?!   

Belle Isle State Park has seven miles of shoreline on the Northern Neck's Rappahannock River and provides access to Mulberry and Deep creeks. It has a wonderful campground, picnic shelters, hiking, biking and bridle trails, and boat launches.

If you are looking for overnight accommodations, Belle Isle State Park offers spacious campsites with electric and water, a canoe-in campground, and two overnight houses located in the Bel Air area. You can make reservations by calling the Virginia State Park Customer Service Center at 800-933-PARK (7275).

To search for other upcoming events going on at the park, click here.

The park is located at 1632 Belle Isle Road in Lancaster, Virginia. Google map directions here.