Belle Isle

Belle Isle SP https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/belle-isle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_Isle_State_Park_(Virginia) Belle Isle State Park is located in Lancaster County, Virginia, on the Rappahannock River. The park sits between Deep Creek and Morattico Creek and has facilities for camping, fishing, boating and picnics. Belle Isle State Park is a peninsula surrounded by Tidewater coastal marshes. Wildlife observed includes blue herons, osprey, hawks, bald eagles, white-tailed deer and various reptiles and amphibians. It is near the unincorporated towns of Litwalton, Morattico and Somers.

WELCOME TO BELLE ISLE STATE PARK. To make your visit safe and more pleasant, we ask that you observe the following: Take only pictures, leave only footprints. Park in designated areas only. Please note there is a parking fee charged year-round at all Virginia State Parks. Honor parking information is found at the park entrance. PRESERVE – Help preserve your park. Please don’t cut or mar any plants or trees. Collecting animal or plant life is allowed only for scientific purposes by permit from the Richmond headquarters. Don’t feed any wild animals. ALCOHOL - State law permits alcohol use only in private areas (inside your cabin or camping unit) or in areas designated on permits issued by the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. PETS - Pets are permitted in enclosed areas or on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Please clean up after your pet. Pets may not be left unattended at any time. DRONES AND OTHER AIRCRAFT - Drones, other unmanned aerial vehicles, including remote control aircraft, and aircraft in general may not be flown in state parks pursuant to 4VAC5-30-400. LITTER - Please help us keep the park clean by placing litter and recyclables in the proper receptacles and recycle centers or carrying out your trash. FIRE - Help prevent wildfires. Fires must be confined to grills, camp stoves or designated fire rings. Fires must be attended at all times and extinguished when left. Firewood is generally available for purchase at the park. Campers and guests may collect only down and dead firewood. We enforce all seasonal and emergency bans on open fires. POLLUTION - Help reduce pollution. Dump stations, laundry sinks and slop sinks, where available, are for the proper disposal of wastewater. Please, no boat, RV or car washing. SWIMMING - Where available, swimming areas are generally open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, weather permitting. Swim or wade only in designated swimming areas and at designated times. Children in swimming areas must wear sealed plastic pants over diapers. Disposable swim pants are recommended and available for purchase at the parks. Swimming or wading in unguarded areas may be hazardous because of swift currents, sudden drop-offs or unseen obstructions. FISHING - Where fishing is permitted, valid Virginia fishing licenses are required. Specific licenses are required for saltwater and trout-water fishing. Please call the park in advance for specifics. GUESTS - Your guests are our guests. For everyone’s safety and security, please register all visitors with the park office. Visitors will not be admitted to camping and cabin areas unless so identified. Visitors are permitted only between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. QUIET HOURS - Quiet hours are between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The use of generators is prohibited at all times. CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT POLICY Check-out 1 p.m. Camping: Check-in 4 p.m. Cabins: Check-in 4 p.m. Check-out 10 a.m. In many cases, campers may be accommodated prior to the official check-in. Please remember that only those 18 or older may register. The registrant is responsible for all occupants of the campsite or cabin. Feel free to arrive early and enjoy park amenities prior to check-in. If you decide to leave the park before the end of your overnight stay, you may be entitled to a refund based on how much of your stay has already been used and any fees due. Once you check in for your cabin or camping stay, that night is considered used. If you are camping, we take what you paid, subtract the fees for the nights used and then subtract one additional night. The balance is due as a refund. This means if you have only a two-night stay, you will not receive a refund if you leave one night early. If you are in a cabin or lodge, the policy is different. First, we always keep at least the first two nights’ fees. Second, we keep $30 per night for a cabin ($60 per night for a lodge) for each night you didn’t stay and subtract that from the fee for any unused nights beyond the two-night minimum. If you started out with a week stay, you received a discount when you made the reservation. If you end up not staying the entire week, your fee will be recalculated at the higher, nightly fee rate. This means that if you have a week stay and leave one night early, no refund will be made. PARKING - Only two motor vehicles, as well as the camp- ing unit, are permitted on a campsite without incurring additional fees. Cabin guests are allowed two vehicles for a one or two-bedroom cabin, three vehicles for a threebedroom cabin and six vehicles for a six-bedroom cabin per day without an additional parking fee charge. Those with additional vehicles must pay the established parking fee for each day the vehicle is in the park. The number of vehicles allowed to park at the cabin varies according to site design and other factors. All vehicles must be parked in designated areas, either at the cabin or in the designated overflow parking area. Primitive and hike-in sites may ha

CHESAPEAKE BAY The Tides Inn—Irvington SIP CHESAPEAKE BAY Wine lovers visiting the region can’t miss the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail. With seven premiere wineries, you’ll sample award-winning varietals, learn pairing tips and tour winemaking facilities. Bring a picnic to make it a picture-perfect day! Or perhaps you’re more of a beer drinker, in which case, stop in for a cold one at Old Rappahannock Brewing Company in Warsaw, opened in late 2019. Locally sourced ingredients, a large tap room and outdoor beer garden are just the beginning of your brewery adventures. CRUISE Virginia's River Realm is full of opportunities on the water. If you’re bringing your own boat to shore, dock at the local marinas, such as Deltaville Yachting Center, and explore the quaint downtowns. For those seeking a learning experience, take a class at one of the many local sailing schools, such as Norton Yachts, Stingray Point, Fishing Bay, Christchurch or Premier. Grab your paddleboard or canoe to explore eight beautiful Virginia Water Trails and Blueways or enjoy a sunset from your kayak on the Potomac River from Stratford Hall. 78 SARAH HAUSER Not far from the hustle and bustle of major Virginia cities, the CHESAPEAKE BAY region invites you to relax and unwind in its quiet, coastal charm. More than 1,800 miles of riverside shoreline beckon boaters, paddlers and all water lovers to explore the region’s natural beauty, iconic history and quaint small towns – where living the “rivah life” wouldn’t be complete without a feast of fresh local seafood paired with award-wining regional wine. FAT ' N H A P P Y O Y S T E R C O M PA N Y ( H E AT H S V I L L E ) : S A R A H H A U S E R / L O V E W O R K ( C O L O N I A L B E A C H ) : C H R I S M I L I T Z E R SLURP Oyster lovers have a multitude of unique experiences to enjoy, such as events like the Urbanna Oyster Festival, where guests can see the industry in practice, as well as try all of the different ways to eat their beloved bivalves. Join the Virginia Oyster Academy, where you’ll learn about Virginia’s oyster history, ecology and tools of the harvest before heading out on the water with a traditional waterman for a one-hour harvest excursion. Waterman Tours offer a unique look at the history and traditions of their hard work, and give families an authentic look of the working watermen’s culture. Fat 'N Happy Oyster Company—Heathsville LOVEWork—Colonial Beach SPLASH Take a dip at Colonial Beach, the second largest sandy beachfront in the state. Whether you love to swim, water ski, jet ski, kayak or canoe, there’s room for everyone. (When you’re worn out from the water, stroll the Boardwalk for even more fun!) Westmoreland State Park, one of six original parks in the state, has one-and-a-half miles of water frontage along the Potomac River, and Horsehead Cliffs offers a scenic walk while scouring the sands for fossilized shark’s teeth. Don’t forget to stop in at Kilmarnock’s Town Centre Park, open daily from dawn to dusk with seasonal events in their open air amphitheater, “Water Works” splash pad, playground, farmers market and Scottie Yard dog park. UNWIND Rest your head at a wide range of accommodations, from the historic Tides Inn in Irvington or an adorable B&B such as Belle Grove Plantation, Kilmarnock Inn or the stylish Hope & Glory Inn. If you’re traveling with your RV or appreciate a more rustic stay, try Bethpage Camp-Resort, known as the Best RV Resort in the Nation and voted National Park of the Year for the third time by the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds; kids of all ages will love the water park, mini golf course and aqua jump! Finally, in Topping, head to the family-owned Merroir to enjoy oysters with world-famous wines and crisp ciders sure to delight your tastebuds. VIRGINIA .ORG 79 q u O F F E R S A C C E S S F O R P E O P L E W H O A R E B L I N D O R H AV E L O W V I S I O N b BUSES/GROUP S WELCOME c $ P E T - F R I E N D LY FA C I L I T Y D P R O V I D E S P R I N T E D M AT E R I A L I N B R A I L L E PROVIDES DES CRIPTIONS BY A TRAINED AUDIO DES CRIBER P R O V I D E S A D E V I C E U S E D F O R C O M M U N I C AT I O N W I T H A N D B E T W E E N H E A R I N G I M PA I R E D ADMISSION REQUIRED I s W CHESAPEAKE BAY CHESAPEAKE BAY g VG M E E T S E N V I R O N M E N TA L S TA N D A R D S O F T H E V I R G I N I A G R E E N P R O G R A M PROVIDES SIGN LANGUAGE PROVIDES ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS ADA-COMPLIANT HEATHSVILLE 301 Bush Mill Stream Natural Area VA 642, 804-225-2303; dcr.virginia.gov. Freshwater meets saltwater of the Great Wicomico River, blue herons. Colonial Beach King George 3 Stratford Montross Warsaw Heathsville 360 Tappahannock 17 Reedville Lancaster 360 3 Irvington Urbanna West Point Kilmarnock Topping Deltaville 33 Mathews Gloucester 14 COLONIAL BEACH Colonial Beach Boardwalk Beach Terrace, 804-224-7181; visitcbva.com. On the shores of the Potomac River. Stunning views, w

Environmental Education Virginia State Parks are premier environmental education sites. Schools, scouts, groups and individuals are encouraged to come learn more about their world. Backyard Classroom programs, incorporating Virginia’s Standards of Learning, promote lifelong learning. They also help young people enjoy, appreciate and understand the outdoors. Programs & Festivals Master new outdoor cooking recipes. Pan for gold or tour a cave. Learn or improve outdoor skills. Enjoy a rangerled hike, eagle tour or owl prowl. Workshops and events are as diverse as the parks. VIRGINIA Discounts Virginia State Parks are affordable every day, but annual passes can save you money on parking, boat launching and swimming. The Customer Loyalty Program lets you earn points that can be redeemed for free or discounted overnight stays. STATE PARKS You can also receive a 25 percent discount on weekend cabins if you make a reservation on Thursday or Friday, based on availability. Just ask for the discount on the phone when you make the reservation. Park Accessibility Virginia State Parks strive to make each park as barrier-free as possible. Contact the Customer Service Center or individual parks for more information before your trip. Pets Pets are welcome but must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet or in an enclosed area at all times. Cabin guests are charged $10 plus tax per night per pet. No pet fee is charged for camping. There’s plenty of history, too. Immerse yourself in Colonial times, the Civil War or the Underground Railroad. When it comes to festivals, you’ll find music, arts and crafts, local food and beverage, classic cars and more. Up-to-theminute, comprehensive information is available at www.virginiastateparks.gov. Nature & History All parks have trails, many with signs explaining the environment. Wander trails at First Landing through cypress swamps or hike Caledon’s trails along ridges and ravines through rare oldgrowth forest. Overlooks at Hungry Mother, Grayson Highlands and Natural Tunnel offer a glimpse of powerful geological forces that shaped the land. See how rivers shaped some parks, such as Belle Isle, James River, Natural Bridge, Powhatan and Westmoreland. www.virginiastateparks.gov | 800-933-PARK (7275) www.virginiastateparks.gov Shenandoah River Seven Bends Sky Meadows 540-622-6840 540-622-6840 540-592-3556 CT • CT • Douthat 540-862-8100 T Natural Bridge 540-291-1326 Smith Mountain Lake 540-297-6066 • 540-854-5503 703-730-8205 703-339-2385 540-288-1400 • B/E/H • B/H • B/E/H/U VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS • • FP • • • • B/E/H H • FP • • B/H • • • B/E/H/U • H/U NORTHERN VIRGINIA Lake Anna Leesylvania Mason Neck Widewater • • • FP CT • • • • B/H/U • • • UD CT CHESAPEAKE BAY Belle Isle Caledon Machicomoco Westmoreland 804-462-5030 540-663-3861 804-642-2419 804-493-8821 • • • B/E/H/U • • B/H • CT • • FP • B/H • FP • P B/H/U COASTAL Chippokes Plantation False Cape­­­­ First Landing York River 757-294-3728 757-426-7128 757-412-2300 757-566-3036 • • P B/E/H/U • • B/H/U • • • B/H • • • FP • • B/E/H/U EASTERN SHORE Photo courtesy Jackie Jamison Kiptopeke CENTRAL VIRGINIA Bear Creek Lake­ High Bridge Trail Holliday Lake James River Pocahontas Powhatan Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Twin Lakes (Cedar Crest Conference Center) Boa t La unc h Boa t Re nta ls Fish in g Day Use O nl y Play grou nds Swi mm in g Trai ls BLUE RIDGE HIGHLANDS SHENANDOAH VALLEY 757-331-2267 • • • FP • • H/U/B 804-492-4410 434-315-0457 434-248-6308 434-933-4355 804-796-4255 804-598-7148 804-561-7510 434-392-3435 434-767-2398 T • • • • B/E/H T • • • • • • • • T • • • • • CT • • 540-643-2500 276-579-7092 276-781-7400 276-781-7425 276-699-6778 276-699-6778 • • • FP • • • T • • • CT • • • • B/H/U B/E/H • B/H/U B/E/H/U • SOUTHERN VIRGINIA Fairy Stone Occoneechee Staunton River Battlefield Staunton River 276-930-2424 434-374-2210 434-454-4312 434-572-4623 T • • • 276-865-4413 276-254-5487 276-940-2674 276-940-2696 276-523-1322 276-445-3065 T • • • • • • • B/E/H • B/H/U • • P B/E/H • • P B/E/H HEART OF APPALACHIA Breaks Interstate Clinch River Natural Tunnel (Cove Ridge Conference Center) Southwest Virginia Museum Wilderness Road CT • • • • B/H • P B/H/U H/U • B/E/H TABLE LEGEND­­­: B Biking CT Car-top Boat Launch E Equestrian FP Fishing Pier H Hiking P Pool Swimming T Electric Motors Only U Universally Accessible UD Under Development B/E/H B/E/H/U P • B/E/H/U B/E/H H • • Many parks offer overnight facilities suitable for reunions, weddings and special events. Some parks even have equestrian campsites. B/E/H/U B/E/H/U • T Claytor Lake Grayson Highlands Hungry Mother (Hemlock Haven Conference Center) New River Trail Shot Tower With lodges, cabins, yurts and campsites, the fun doesn’t end at sundown. Many cabins are available year-round, and most campgrounds ar

Hotel Weyanoke—Farmville Small Towns, Local charm, cozy curios and open arms make these small towns in Virginia worth exploring. Character WRITTEN BY MARY & BILL BURNHAM T KYLE LAFERRIERE 10 he phrase “small town” evokes nostalgia, authenticity and heartfeltwarmth in many of us. What’s not to love? They are authentic, accessible, friendly and stocked with locally-owned businesses. These are communities where you can get off the crowded highway, park the car and walk, ride a bike or even kayak through downtown. Small, family-run businesses offer one-of- a-kind handmade items, from jewelry and art to craft beers and wine. Farmers markets offer locally-grown produce and seafood spring through fall. With almost 200 incorporated towns, dozens more villages and hamlets, plus nearly 30 designated Virginia Main Street Communities, the hard part is deciding which Virginia towns to visit. VIRGINIA .ORG 11 Here are some of our favorites, d ending starting in southwest Virginia, an metown with a shameless plug for our ho on the Eastern Shore. High Bridge Trail State Park—Farmville Harrisonburg Big Stone Gap 12 Farmville HIGH BRIDGE TRAIL STATE PARK (FARMVILLE): ALI ZAMAN / SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA MUSEUM (BIG STONE GAP): JASON BARNETTE June Tolliver House and Art Folk Center—Big Stone Gap Southwest Virginia Museum—Big Stone Gap JUNE TOLLIVER HOUSE (BIG STONE GAP): TIM COX Southwest Virginia’s coal-mining history comes to life in the “Trail of the Lonesome Pine,” Virginia’s longest-running outdoor drama, performed Thursday through Saturday nights, late June through August. Before you go, be sure to read the Big Stone Gap novels by Adriana Trigiani, or watch the Hollywood film by the same name starring Ashley Judd and Whoopi Goldberg. Upon arrival, you can visit places featured in the film, such as Mutual Pharmacy, the Book Mobile, the Farmers Market, as well as the outdoor drama. Fine, well-preserved period homes house The John Fox Jr. Museum, the Southwest Virginia Museum and the June Tolliver House. Cozy B&Bs, cafes and a variety of antique and curio shops round out this small town gem. Fun Festival: 100th annual Tri State Singing Convention, June This formerly industrial town has been reinvented for recreation, craft beverage and shopping lovers. The Appomattox River that once carried tobacco barges is now a designated Scenic River carrying paddlers in search of whitewater or the calmer four-mile Farmville Blueway. The railroad that once carried coal now carries hikers, bikers and equestrians on the 30-mile-long High Bridge Trail State Park. Repurposed tobacco packing houses and lumber warehouses are reincarnated to house Appomattox River Company, Green Front Furniture and the Third Street Brewing Company, serving up local beer, live music, games for the kids and a pet-friendly beer garden. Together with the Virginia Tasting Cellar and the soon-to-open second location of James River Brewing, Farmville is fast becoming a destination for craft beverage lovers. Fun Festival: Heart of Virginia Festival, May Set amidst the vast playground of the idyllic Shenandoah Valley, Harrisonburg has been called “one of the best mountain bike towns in America” by National Geographic. Forward-thinking entrepreneurs and artisans have blended the past with the present to create a lively melting pot that is distinctive to this college town. Named Virginia’s first Culinary District in 2014, Harrisonburg’s cultural diversity serves up fare from around the world, while taking advantage of locallysourced farm-to-table ingredients. Food. Bar.Food features “global comfort food,” while a mother-daughter team creates soulsoothing pastries at Heritage Bakery & Café. The arts scene is equally diverse, epitomized by the Agora Downtown Market, a community of small businesses under one roof in an historic building. Named for James Madison, fourth president and the “Father of the Constitution,” are the stunning Hotel Madison and James Madison University (JMU), where nearly 20,000 students lend a youthful vitality to this historic town. Fun Festival: Harrisonburg International Festival, September VIRGINIA .ORG 13 Within Virginia’s larger cities, find pockets of uniqueness that make you feel like you’re in a small town! ROANOKE’S HISTORIC GRANDIN VILLAGE This walkable urban village is eclectic and family-friendly at the same time. Spend Saturday morning at the Community Market, dine on an outdoor patio, shop independentlyowned boutiques and take in a first-run or classic film at the 1930s Grandin Theatre. RICHMOND’S SCOTT’S ADDITION One of the hottest, newly revitalized neighborhoods in the state capital. Warehouses converted to breweries, cideries and distilleries, bold street murals, a cinema and a retro bowling alley make this a happening night scene. Immerse yourself in Virginia’s Lake Country at Virginia’s only lakeside town. Buggs Island Lake, also known as Kerr Reservoir, draws anglers to dozens of fishing tournaments yearl