Belle Isle has lots of activities planned for Labor Day weekend.
Saturday’s programs include a morning canoe trip at 9 am. What a Waterman will explore how local watermen (and women) made a living from the local waters, covering several centuries of harvesting seafood. Cost is $5 per person and participants should meet at the Camp Store for equipment. At 7 p.m. a Triple Treat program will take visitors on a paddle on Mulberry Creek. After landing on a beach, participants will take a hay ride around the park, and then enjoy S’mores around the campfire. Cost is $10/person, and reservations are suggested for this program.
Sunday morning begins with The Amazing Race at 9 a.m. Participants can compete in a race using GPS receivers with a prize to the fastest team. A simple challenge must be completed at each stage before moving to the next. GPS units are available for rent at the Camp Store, or bring your own. This program begins at the Camp Store and is free. The afternoon offers a Wild About Wetlands Canoe Trip at 1 p.m. Learn how wetlands protect shorelines, filter pollutants, act as a nursery for most marine animals, and are some of the most fertile places on earth. Cost is $5 per person and participants should meet at the Camp Store for equipment.
One of the challenges on the "Amazing Race" Geocaching program
Monday offers workshops. The first one at 9 a.m. lets participants decorate a hiking stick to take home. Cost is $2 per stick and meets at the picnic area. If all of the weekend’s activities worked up an appetite, a “Make and Shake” ice cream workshop is offered at the picnic area at 1 p.m. Cost is $2 per bag of ice cream.
A hiking stick program is offered Monday morning
Call the park at (804) 462-5030 for more information.
LOCATION: 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.
Drive Time: Northern Virginia: two hours; Richmond: two hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach: two hours; Roanoke: five hours
Click here for a Google map. Latitude, 37.774414. Longitude: -76.599364.
PARK MAP: Click here (PDF).
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES: Bel Air Overnight Area (Bel Air house and guest house) and camping. For information on availability of campsites, particular park amenities or to make a reservation, you can Click here for details on reservation cancellation and transfer policies. A fee is charged per pet per night for overnight stays.
Visit a photo collection of Belle Isle's overnight accommodations.