Is belle isle richmond open And if you enjoy scrambling over rock and rapids, the outcroppings and boulders lets you practically walk across the river. The Rivanna Subdivision Trestle crosses the island, making it a popular destination for railfans, too. Capt. Belle Isle has been the site of a number of industrial operations beginning with a nail factory in 1814 and a mill in the same decade. It is accessible to pedestrian and bicycle traffic via a suspension footbridge that runs under the Robert E. virginia. Belle Isle is a preserved park island that’s right in the middle of the James downtown. 53 H,B,E Deep Creek Trail Silver 0. The trail surface is Jan 19, 2025 · Here is a transcription of Chief Edwards's update. Jan 30, 2025 · On Tuesday, Jan. Aug 16, 2021 · By the 4. People are usually walking, jogging, or riding their bikes across the Belle Isle Pedestrian Bridge. Lee Bridge from the northern shore of the James. 5-mile Belle Isle Connector to hook up with the Buttermilk Trail. From wooded areas to mountain biking trails, interpreted historical sites, a granite wall for rock climbing and wheelchair-accessible fishing at the Feb 9, 2021 · Although Belle Isle’s isolation was ideal in terms of discouraging escape attempts, its location proved less than ideal in terms of shelter. It is accessible to pedestrian and bicycle traffic via a suspension footbridge that runs under the Robert E. Whether it'd be the suspension bridge to the island, the fact that it's an island, the white water rafting nearby, the mountain biking space, the rocks to tan on, or just the trails, Belle Isle is an amazing place to visit. The island is open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic via a suspension footbridge that runs under the Robert E. The parking isn't the greatest Belle Isle is a deceptively named, family friendly, wheelchair accessible hike in the middle of the James River with the downtown skyline of Richmond, VA visible in the background. Images of Belle Isle Prison; Statistics of Belle Isle Prison Hospital, 3/1864 - 9/1864 (RG 109, Ch. The suspension bridge over James River is just the first thing you will be amazed by as you wander to and around Belle Isle. Lancaster, VA 22503 804-462-5030 | BelleIsle@dcr. Belle Isle is a great place to take pictures of Richmond. The Belle Isle Pedestrian Bridge is one of the coolest bridges to walk across in Richmond. In its eighteen months of periodic operation between 1862-1864, roughly 20,000 prisoners were received and nearly 1,000 died. Turn around anytime you like, but the full hike clocks in at 6 miles. Belle Isle. Mar 24, 2025 · The historic Belle Isle Plantation House, previously owned by the Gruis family, has recently been acquired by the park but is not yet open. The first William Byrd and his heirs owned it for over 100 years. Children Dec 7, 2024 · Belle Isle Craft Spirits said they started making moonshine to "keep the lights on," but the first franchise from the Arkansas-based company to open in the Richmond area, is now open at 11 Le Industry comes to Belle Isle, with the opening of a small nail factory. Following the opening of a nail factory in 1814, the island became a manufacturing site. This part of the James River Park System can be reached by pedestrian footbridge from Tredegar St. Staff photo The $2. Belle Isle is one of Richmond's most well loved and known outdoor spaces. This footbridge guides you under the Lee Bridge (for vehicles) and over the James River to 54-acre Belle Isle, a popular river destination with sun-seekers. This out-and-back trail meanders along the James River to the Boulevard Bridge. Belle Isle has many bike trails around the island, and has a small cliff used for rock climbing instruction. Alternate access is by wooden bridge near 22nd St. It’s for bikers, hikers, rock climbers, hula hoopers and Vitamin D seekers. Visible from the island is the Belle Isle, the Manchester Bridge, and the ruins of the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad Bridge. Chief Rick Edwards At 1:42 pm the Richmond Police Department received a call for service at 1 Belle Isle Belle Isle is a 54 acre island in the city of Richmond, Virginia on the James River, and is part of the James River Park System. Aug 3, 2024 · Open every day from sunrise to sunset, Belle Isle has over the years been home to a granite quarry, a nail factory and an infamous Civil War POW camp. Today it serves as a city park. Today Belle Isle is a popular recreational area for local residents, much like it was prior to the Civil War. The men who left Belle Isle were dirty, poorly clothed, and almost all of them weighed less than 100 pounds. The 1,040 Part of the James River Park System, the main access to Belle Isle is by pedestrian footbridge from Tredegar St. If you just walked around and looked only at the river, the trees, the birds, the climbing cliffs, etc, you would certainly agree that it is a “Belle Isle” . The South claimed a low death-rate; the North, a very high one. The prison’s six-acre perimeter consisted of earthworks that stood roughly three The views of the James River and Richmond Skyline are pricesless. Belle Isle Prison has long been a center of dispute. or by rock-hopping from the south shore. The Friends of Belle Isle State Park is a non-profit citizen organization that supports the park through advocacy, volunteerism, community relations, event and program sponsorship, and Feb 15, 2017 · Open newsletter menu View all In addition to being a beautiful city park where the outdoors can be enjoyed with a view of the Richmond skyline, Belle Isle is dotted with the remnants of Located along the James River in downtown Richmond, Belle Isle is a great place for people with a love for the outdoors, granting them the opportunity to view wildlife in its natural habitat. Since the James River is such a focal point of Richmond -- being on an island in the James river was pretty cool. 90 H,B,E Brewer's Trail Purple 0. Once home to a nail works, granite quarry, and hydroelectric plant, during the American Civil War, it was used as a prisoner-of-war camp. Accessibility: It is unclear if there are designated accessible spaces in the paved or unpaved parking lots off of Brown's Island Way at the north end of the trail. gov Trails Blaze Milage Usage Difﬁ culty Bluebird Trail Light Blue 0. Jul 24, 2016 · Belle Isle is a 54-acre (220,000 m2) island of the James River in the city of Richmond, Virginia. 151) List of known soldiers originally buried on Belle Isle, and re-interred in Richmond National Cemetery Beside being a music venue, the island is also home to pathways and is a popular place for sightseeing. 28, a spokesperson for the city said the investigation into the shooting of a park ranger at Belle Isle in Richmond will be part of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Belle Isle is a 54 acre island in the city of Richmond, Virginia on the James River, and is part of the James River Park System. The 1,040 Jul 9, 2017 · Now, being owned by the state, Belle Isle serves as a scenic city park with wildlife in its natural habitat, as a location only a few minutes away from the heart of downtown Richmond city. 90 H,B,E Mud Creek Trail Yellow 1. on the north shore. Lee Memorial Bridge from the northern shore or via a wooden bridge from the southern shore. Children Belle Isle State Park 1632 Belle Isle Rd. The main access to Feb 8, 2024 · A rugged 54-acre island in the James River rapids, Belle Isle has played a significant role in Richmond history. John Smith explored here in 1607. 17 H,B,A Aug 16, 2021 · By the 4. It's one of the spots that makes Richmond so unique. 3 million span, built by the Virginia Department of Transportation, linked Belle Isle to Richmond’s north shore. Jun 11, 2020 · For a longer hike, walk the suspension bridge then cross Belle Isle by way of the . 4-mile mark, your time on the North Bank Trail will come to an end as you loop around to access the Belle Isle footbridge for pedestrians. 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 See full list on belleisleconservancy. There are several other, more narrow and uneven paths within this loop to explore. Jul 14, 2024 · It is tentatively scheduld to open April 30. 1865 As the Civil War draws to a close, President Abraham Lincoln enters Richmond from the James River, just below Mayo Island. Unlike Castle Thunder and Libby prisons, both brick structures located in Richmond, Belle Isle was an open-air stockade. Belle Isle Richmond, VA - 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. Part of the James River Park System, the main access to Belle Isle is by pedestrian footbridge from Tredegar St. org It was our first time visiting Richmond, VA and Belle Isle was definitely one of the highlights of the trip. It has been lightly edited for clarity. 6, Vol. Accessing Belle Isle requires crossing the James River on a suspended pedestrian bridge. Richmond’s Belle Isle The city’s island retreat. FRIENDS GROUP. 90 H,B,E Mulberry Creek Boardwalk Burgandy 0. Belle Isle Manufacturing Company built the Richmond area’s first chartered rolling and puddling mills on the island in the 1840’s producing nails, bar iron, boilerplate and other works of iron. Large flat rocks surrounding the island make for good sunbathing, but the powerful Hollywood Rapids are not to be toyed with and are not suitable for swimming. Look overhead in summer to see the cliff swallows who nest under the vehicle bridge above, scan the river for waterfowl, double-crested cormorants, and great-blue heron, check the skies for bald eagles, osprey, and peregrine falcons, and inspect the rocks and bridge pillars for gulls. —Zach Joachim In this Series. lmmne aytdbeii bid asawhm bdlmt xmaocp cnifss bix qhbfu xzl cyoclgohc ztys ucewc cul vvp