An island in the middle of the James River in downtown Richmond, Belle Isle was acquired by William Byrd I in 1676 and it remained in the Byrd family for a century. The Park’s most popular site, it offers wooded paths, mountain biking trails, a bicycle skills area, historical sites, wheelchair-accessible fishing at the quarry pond, good sunbathing and a granite wall for rock climbing. A pedestrian bridge under the Lee Bridge provides access from Historic Tredegar.
amenities
Visitors can find a water station for filling bottles and a port-a-potty.
History in the park
Belle Isle has been the home to a granite quarry, nail factory, and an infamous Civil War POW camp.
Hours
Open from sunrise to sunset every day.
Friends of the James River Park is a private, not-for-profit organization, and is tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal EIN (tax ID) number 26-3587880.
Friends of the James River Park
P.O. Box 4453
Richmond, VA 23220
friends@jamesriverpark.org