Set between the Atlantic Ocean and Back Bay, False Cape State Park is about as off-the-grid as it gets in Virginia. You can only get here by foot, bike, boat or open-air tram. Once inside, you’ll find six miles of pristine, secluded beaches and nearly 17 miles of trails weaving through sand dunes, maritime forests and salt marshes.
Spanning 4,321 acres, False Cape is among the last undeveloped stretches of the Atlantic coast, offering a rare chance to step fully into unspoiled nature. It takes a little planning and effort to explore, but trust us, the payoff is worth every step.
Getting to False Cape State Park
False Cape has no public vehicle access, so most visitors arrive via the Blue Goose Tram, which departs from Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. This four-hour narrated ride includes an easy one-mile round-trip hike to the historic Wash Woods church and cemetery. Reservations are required and can be made online or by calling 757-426-7128. Prefer to go at your own pace? Walk or bike in along the flat, scenic gravel trail from Back Bay. It’s about four miles one-way via the East or West Dike Trail (only one is open at a time, depending on the season). Paddlers can launch near the Back Bay Visitor Center.
Blue Goose Tram
When you take the tram, you have two choices: hop off at the visitor center to explore on your own or continue south to the historic Wash Woods settlement.
At Wash Woods, it’s a short half-mile stroll along the Cemetery Trail to a small cemetery and the remains of a church steeple. A park ranger shares the story of the Wash Woods Settlement, founded by 19th-century shipwreck survivors.
After the tram ride, snap a photo with the iconic “Southernmost Virginia State Park” buoy, then pop into the visitor center for an ice cream bar and a fun park souvenir. Kick back in a rocking chair on the covered wrap-around porch.
Hiking at False Cape State Park
If you arrive via the tram, you’ll have about 3.5 hours to explore from the visitor center. This allows time to explore the following family-friendly trails:
- Marsh Ridge Trail: A short gravel walk flanked by wetlands, ending at an observation deck.
- Barbour Hill Trail: A sunny gravel-to-sand path east of the visitor center that passes camp sites and features ocean views.
- Sandy Point Trail: An extension of the Barbour Hill Trail, enjoy scenic bay overlooks, including Widgeon Overlook and Tundra Swan Overlook.
South Inlet Trail: From the Sand Ridge Trail, this route leads to a bayside observation point.
Biking at False Cape
For two-wheeled explorers, start on the Sand Ridge Trail, a six-mile gravel route that runs the length of the park from north to south. Standard bike tires will get you to Wash Woods, but beyond that, you’ll need fat tires to tackle loose sand.
Time your ride with low tide and you can pedal along hard-packed sand all the way to North Carolina. Note: reaching the beach from the Sand Ridge Trail requires a quarter-mile walk with your bike over loose sand. Bike racks along the trail, including at Wash Woods, let you park and explore on foot, like the Cemetery Trail and Vir-Mar Trail.
Camping at False Cape State Park
Camping is a true back-to-nature experience. This park has four primitive campgrounds, each with 10 sites, accessible only by foot or bike (the tram does not transport campers). If you’re staying overnight, park at Little Island Park, 1.5 miles from Back Bay. Overnight parking is not allowed at Back Bay.
Reservations are by phone only: 800-933-PARK. After booking, you’ll receive a confirmation letter. Make two copies: one for your dashboard and one to keep with you.
The four campgrounds are:
- Barbour Hill Ocean & False Cape Landing Ocean: Oceanfront, shaded by live oaks.
- Barbour Hill Bay & False Cape Landing Bay: Bayfront, larger and more open.
All sites include a picnic table, lantern post, potable water and a privy—no fire rings. Oceanfront campers can pitch their tents directly on the beach, just a five-minute walk from the ocean camp sites.
Wildlife at False Cape
With beaches, marshes, dunes and forests, False Cape is a wildlife hotspot. More than 300 bird species call the park home, from nesting shorebirds to migratory snow geese. Bald eagles can occasionally be seen soaring overhead.
On land, watch for white-tailed deer, red foxes, feral pigs, and river otters. Waterways and marshes are full of turtles and other reptiles, making every walk or paddle a true wildlife adventure.
Accessibility at False Cape State Park
While the park is remote, the visitor center is fully accessible, with ADA-compliant restrooms. Contact Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in advance to arrange an accessible Blue Goose Tram ride.
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Written by Erin Gifford
Erin Gifford is a Virginia-based travel and outdoors writer. She especially enjoys writing about road trips, outdoor recreation and national parks. Her credits include Parents, The Washington Post, Thrillist, TIME and AFAR.com. She has written three hiking guidebooks for Falcon Guides and has created a hiking website, GoHikeVirginia.com. She also runs half marathons and is working toward completing one in all 50 states (so far, she has checked off 36 states).
