Belle Isle

Belle Isle is a 54-acre island in the James River featuring the remains of granite quarries, industrial buildings, and walking paths that wind through wooded areas. The landscape shows different layers of stone foundations and debris left from centuries of human activity on this site.

Captain John Smith explored the island in 1607, and William Byrd I acquired it around 1676 to develop granite quarries and industrial operations. The site transformed dramatically during the Civil War when it served as a prison camp, then continued changing through different industrial phases over the following decades.

Visitors walking through the island encounter markers and structures that tell the story of those imprisoned here during the Civil War, making the landscape feel shaped by this difficult chapter. The ruins stand as reminders of suffering, and many people pause to reflect when they find these remnants along the trails.

You reach the island by crossing a suspended footbridge from Tredegar Street, then follow multiple trails that connect different sections of the landscape. The paths are easy to walk and let you explore at your own pace without getting lost.

On the island you'll find the remains of a hydroelectric power plant built in 1904 standing next to foundations of a nail factory from over a century ago. These two structures side by side reveal how technology and manufacturing shifted over time.