A 54-acre island in the James River accessed by a pedestrian suspension bridge from Tredegar Street, Belle Isle is one of the most popular spots in Richmond. The island has granite outcrops with pools suitable for sunbathing and swimming, forested trails, and views of the whitewater rapids on either side. In summer, the flat rocks along the river fill with sunbathers and swimmers; in winter, the island belongs to dog walkers and joggers.
The island was the site of a Civil War prisoner-of-war camp where over 30,000 Union soldiers were held in appalling conditions. Interpretive signs mark the site. The contrast between this history and the island's current role as a city beach and park is one of the more thought-provoking aspects of Richmond.