Belle Isle State Park Loop

Dog Friendly, Medium 3-6 Miles, State Parks, Virginia / / By / bird watching, wildflowers, wildlife
  • Highlights: River views, history
  • Distance: 5.5 mile loop
  • Elevation Change 52 feet
  • Trail Surface: Dirt with some gravel sections, short section on the paved park road
  • Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Trailhead Parking: Parking area at end of Belle Isle Road, Belle Isle State Park, Lancaster VA; park entry fee required
  • Trail Markings: Multiple color blazes, signs at junctions 
  • Website: AllTrails and Belle Isle State Park
  • Beer Pairings: Callao Brewing—Ingram Bay IPA & Execute Order 66 IPA

Trail Map:

The Hike:

Belle Isle State Park in Lancaster (not be confused with Belle Isle in Richmond) is located on the banks of the Rappahannock River in Virginia’s Northern Neck. This area is a bird watcher’s paradise. We spotted several blue herons, osprey, and hawks. Bald eagles nest in this area but we didn’t spot them on our hike.

This hike cobbles together several shorter hikes to form a loop. Pick up a trail map at the visitor center or download the AllTrails map. From the trailhead at the end of Belle Isle Road, we began on the Porpoise Creek Trail and then followed the Watch House Loop Trail with some nice river views.

The Mud Creek Trail was our favorite part of the hike. It passes through meadows, forest, and wetlands. A short detour on the Mulberry Creek Boardwalk has more river views. The Mud Creek Trail continues through fields and woodlands and connects with the White Oak Swamp Trail which loops back through the campground. We followed the Belle isle Road back to the parking area. 

Hike Photos:

Porpoise Creek Trail Head
Rappahannock River
Watch House Trail
Mud Creek Trail
Mulberry Creek Boardwalk
Mulberry Creek
Rappahannock River
Mud Creek Trail
White Oak Swamp Loop

Beer Pairing:

Callao Brewing is located about 30 minutes from the trailhead in Callao VA. This a veteran-owned brewery has 12 taps of craft beer, brick oven pizza, and indoor and outdoor seating.

Pete had a pint of Execute Order 66 (6.6% ABV • 105 IBU) a red IPA hopped with Warrior, Chinook, Centennial, Cascade, Loral, Mosaic, and Simcoe. Six hops in the boil and dry hopped with six hops, “66”. Commander Cody would be proud. Kathy enjoyed Ingram Bay IPA (8.0% ABV • 93 IBU), an American IPA brewed with Magnum hops and then dry hopped with Lemondrop hops. Kathy liked the citrus notes while Pete was not a big fan. 

Hike and drink responsibly. Never drink and drive. Stay safe, be responsible, and leave no trace.