Belle Isle State Park, Lancaster, VA
If you cornered me and twisted my arm to get me to name our favorite place to camp, I’d say it’s Belle Isle State Park in Lancaster, Virginia on the Northern Neck. (Not to be confused with Belle Isle Park in Richmond).
Reason number 1: Though it’s less than two hours from our home in Newport News, and camping there really feels like we’re getting away.
Reason number 2: A circular argument, but because we’ve been camping here every year for a long time, we have made lots of memories there.
According to the ranger I spoke to, the park was created in 1997, funded from the 1992 General Obligation Bond Referendum authorized by the Virginia General Assembly and approved by voters. You can read more about that here: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/history.
The park is large — more than 600 acres – much of it is still farmed. The park leases the land and you’ll see acres of corn or cover crops.
The campground is small, with just one loop and 30 sites — some reservable. The sites are separated by trees – you don’t see your neighbors unless you’re really trying.
The bathhouse is clean and modern. And by “modern,” I mean it’s one of the newer styles of bathhouses in Virginia State Parks. These have separate bathrooms for men and women, and five large unisex showers (one handicap accessible) at the back.
Inside the park, you can drop your canoe or kayak in the Rappahannock River and go for a paddle, or ride your bike on the paved roads and gravel trails. We usually do both during our visits.
There are also miles of walking trails with observation platforms, a picnic area where you can swim, and a Visitor’s Center with information about the wildlife and history of the Northern Neck.
Have you been to Belle Isle State Park? Share your experiences in the comments!
Recommended Nearby
Good Luck Cellars, Kilmarnock. Every time we camp at Belle Isle, we spend a couple of hours at Good Luck Cellars in Kilmarnock, about 25 minutes away from the park. They have a cozy tasting room and an expansive wrap-around deck with views of the vines. All of their wines are from estate-grown grapes, and all are good. We usually come home with a few bottles – enough to get us to next year’s visit.
Jim Dan Dee “Crab King,” Kilmarnock. This tiny fish market offers delicious, fresh made Po’ Boy sandwiches. It’s takeout only, so grab your food and head to Kilmarnock Town Centre Park down the road to eat.
