Belle Isle State Park - Lancaster, VA
Belle Isle State Park: A Pet-Friendly Retreat in Lancaster, Virginia
Belle Isle State Park, situated along the scenic Rappahannock River, is a top dog park and outdoor adventure destination for residents and visitors near Lancaster, Virginia. This pet-friendly state park offers miles of dog-friendly hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and gorgeous river views, making it an ideal spot for both two- and four-legged family members. The park’s flat terrain is great for dog walks, while accessible entries and parking ensure it’s welcoming to all.
Amenities at Belle Isle State Park include public restrooms, a playground, accessible picnic tables, barbecue grills, and activities such as fishing, kayaking, and even horseback riding. While there is plenty of space for leashed dogs to enjoy, be aware that shade is limited on many trails and the area can be buggy—so plan accordingly. Kid-friendly facilities and wide open spaces make it a great place for family outings with your canine companion.
Belle Isle State Park FAQ
- Are dogs allowed at Belle Isle State Park? Yes, dogs are allowed throughout the park, including on trails.
- Are restrooms available for owners? Yes, public restrooms are available on-site.
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? Yes, there is a wheelchair accessible entrance and accessible parking lot.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, there is a playground as well as various other kid-friendly activities and hikes.
- Are picnics or BBQs allowed? Yes, picnic tables and barbecue grills are available throughout the park.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, there are several hiking and biking trails that wind through woods, swamps, and along the river.
- Are there fees to enter the park? Yes, there is a $10 park entry fee.
- Where is the best place to park? The park has accessible parking available near main activity areas.
Reviews
This is a lovely state park along the Rappahannock River. Gorgeous views of the river, nice trails through woods and along fields. We stayed two nights in the campground and had fun riding our bikes on the trails and the roads.
Fantastic place to have a wedding. Accommodations were great! The people that run the lodging and park were great to work with. Beautiful!!
Went fishing but didn’t catch anything but saw a fish that recognized my jig and splash his tail on the surface. It was very windy, so my float wouldn’t stay out long. Park entry was 10 dollars, and you need a freshwater license. They have horseback riding yeah!
Belle Isle State Park was an absolute gem! Situated on the Rappahannock River, it hosts an abundance of beautiful river views. Its on very flat ground, with trails winding through woods and swamps and along the river. There is little tree shade on most of these trails, so plan accordingly. Also, again, it’s pretty swampy and marshy, so the mosquitos are larger than small children and bite with a very large fang: use alot of bug spray.
Had a great hike with the kids. Bathrooms were decent, and it was early enough in the year that the skeeters weren’t too bad. We did the ~4m out and back hike to Watch House and the Brewer Point campground. Decent views on the tails, but I’m pretty sure it would be 1000% better from a kayak. They do rentals here, so we may try that next time. Highlights of the day was when two large bald eagles flew about ‘15 feet over our heads while we were walking through a woody area.