JAMES RIVER PARK LOCATIONS

The main access to Belle Isle is by pedestrian footbridge from Tredegar Street on the North shore. Alternate access is by rocks from the 22nd Street entrance. Parking tends to be crowded at Tredegar Street on weekends -- only about 50 spaces. Large flat rocks surrounding the island make for good sunbathing, but the water is rough around the rapids and not suitable for swimming ... Children should be supervised. Additional features include wooded trails, interpreted historical sites, wheelchair-accessible fishing at the quarry pond and a granite wall for rock climbing.

This is a popular swimming and sunbathing area. It also provides access for Class II whitewater boating and good fishing for Smallmouth Bass. There is parking for 150 cars. Very crowded on summer weekends. River features include multiple small rapids and lots of big rocks.

Flat water access for canoes and innertubes. Excellent fishing upstream at Bosher's Dam. Riverside trails lead to fishing sites downstream. Parking - 35 spaces.

Long trail leads to isolated sandy beach areas and sunbathing rocks. This are has crude trails and only limited maintenance. Parking - 30 spaces.

Historic shiplock and canal that once serviced the tobacco warehouses along Dock Street. Primitive trails and fishing access. Parking - 15 spaces.

Large ramp for motor boats. Historic slave trail and dock. Popular fishing area. Wooded trail connects to Floodwall Walk. Large parking area accommodates over 100 cars and trailers.



	OTHER IMPORTANT PLACES IN THE JAMES RIVER PARK

	Huguenot Flatwater
	Flat water access for canoes and innertubes. Excellent fishing upstream at Bosher's Dam. Riverside trails lead to fishing sites downstream. Parking - 35 spaces.


	North Bank Park ("Texas Beach")
	Long trail leads to isolated sandy beach areas and sunbathing rocks. This are has crude trails and only limited maintenance. Parking - 30 spaces.


	Great Shiplock Park
	Historic shiplock and canal that once serviced the tobacco warehouses along Dock Street. Primitive trails and fishing access. Parking - 15 spaces.


	Ancarrow’s Landing / Manchester Slave Dock
	Large ramp for motor boats. Historic slave trail and dock. Popular fishing area. Wooded trail connects to Floodwall Walk. Large parking area accommodates over 100 cars and trailers.






	CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED COLORED MAP BY THE RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH


	JAMES RIVER PARK LOCATIONS


	MAIN AREA: 43RD STREET, REEDY CREEK & 22ND STREET ENTRANCES

	The main area has three entrances off Riverside Drive. The 43nd Street entrance has parking for 30 cars. There is a trail along a river channel and river access over several small islands. The park system's headquarters is located at the nearby Reedy Creek canoe launch area with parking for 15 cars. Restrooms and a drinking fountain at the park headquarters are rarely open except for special programs. The 22nd Street entrance has parking for about 45 cars. There is a short walk to trails and dry rocks behind a dam that provides an alternate access to Belle Isle. There is a mountain bike trail that links the Riverbed Trail to the Buttermilk Trail.



	BELLE ISLE

	The main access to Belle Isle is by pedestrian footbridge from Tredegar Street on the North shore. Alternate access is by rocks from the 22nd Street entrance. Parking tends to be crowded at Tredegar Street on weekends -- only about 50 spaces. Large flat rocks surrounding the island make for good sunbathing, but the water is rough around the rapids and not suitable for swimming ... Children should be supervised. Additional features include wooded trails, interpreted historical sites, wheelchair-accessible fishing at the quarry pond and a granite wall for rock climbing.


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	PONY PASTURE AND THE WETLANDS

	This is a popular swimming and sunbathing area. It also provides access for Class II whitewater boating and good fishing for Smallmouth Bass. There is parking for 150 cars. Very crowded on summer weekends. River features include multiple small rapids and lots of big rocks. The Wetlands area is located just downstream of Pony Pasture and features walking trails, wildlife blinds and excellent opportunities to birdwatch. There is also a shallow sandy beach with flat water. Parking for 7 cars.


	Click map to enlarge


	Click map to enlarge


	Click map to enlarge


	LAST UPDATED 6/14/05	WEBMASTER