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Mother Nature wasn’t shy when she worked her magic on Virginia Beach. Aside from being a premier East Coast beach vacation destination, with miles of pristine shorelines, Virginia Beach boasts the best boardwalk, lush wildlife trails, thousands of acres of parks, and the meandering waterways of the inner and outer coast.
The unique configuration of Virginia Beach is an adventure sport and outdoor enthusiast's paradise. Kayak down our beach shoreline or maneuver the bay waterways for an up close and personal introduction to the Virginia Beach wildlife. The lush natural surroundings of our marshes and wildlife refuges will envelop you in the harmonious chorus that our indigenous flora and fauna have to offer.
No family beach vacation is complete without a little adventure. Intent on a physical challenge? Seeking out a serene natural sanctuary? Virginia Beach is acres of East Coast beach front, a meandering inner coastal waterway, hiking trails, nature walks, fresh water and salt water habitats all wrapped up in one destination. You just might lose yourself soaking up the pure wonderment that we live everyday. It’s time to reconnect, rejuvenate, and reinvent yourself with what comes natural - Virginia Beach.
Go Quietly at West Neck Creek Natural Area It's Memorial Day weekend....make memories walking about in this fantastic city of ours - there's no better way to take it all in!Read more | See all posts
Warm days, cool evenings, refreshing water, and soft sand are a given with any Virginia Beach vacation. If you want to truly Live the Life, paddle into some of our outdoor adventures. Explore Wildlife and Outdoor Adventures in Virginia Beach.
Virginia Beach offers something for everyone with over 4,000 acres in parks and national refuges. Get back to the elements and discover a new way to see Mother Nature – by foot, bike, kayak or segway!
Ready to set sail over open waters or splash around in the surf? Then you've come to the right place! From exhilarating watersports to relaxing boat tours, Virginia Beach has tons of aquatic activities to suit every water-lover!
In addition to commercial campgrounds near the resort area, like KOA and Holiday Trav-L-Park, Virginia Beach is home to state parks where the true nature enthusiast can set up camp. First Landing State Park has sites and cabins complete with all the amenities you need. And the true naturalist can find peace and quiet at False Cape State Park with primitive, hike-in camping.
Virginia Beach offers something for everyone in the over 4,000 acres in neighborhood parks, community parks, district parks, and other open spaces. Find out more about everything from playgrounds to picnic shelters and ball fields!
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Virginia Beach has 16 different access sites to the various bays, creeks and rivers in the area.
We welcome visitors to our state parks, wildlife refuges and natural areas so that your family and friends may see, interact with, and enjoy our natural heritage. As the parks are kept as close to pristine as possible, we ask that you work with us to protect and preserve the natural areas. To protect yourself and the environment, it's important to stay on designated trails. As trails may change due to weather conditions, it's advisable to check with the visitor centers for updated maps. Harming or unauthorized collection of plant / animal life is strictly prohibited.
As there is some risk involved in outdoor activities like hiking, biking and kayaking, we ask that you take preventive measures to protect yourself and your family.
Bikers and hikers are urged to stay on designated trails to protect the environment. Helmets are strongly recommended for all bikers, and personal flotation devices are required for all kayakers and canoeists. Please familiarize yourself with what special requirements you may need for your visit and plan accordingly. Check to see what special provisions you may need, whether it be drinking water for False Cape, or insect repellent, which is strongly recommended at many of the reserves.
This 4,321-acre area is a mile-wide barrier split between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, in the extreme southeast corner of Virginia Beach. It has 6 miles of unspoiled beaches, 12 primitive campsites, and 9 miles of hiking/biking trails.
Back Bay Refuge contains over 9,000 acres, situated on and around a thin strip of coastline typical of barrier islands found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Habitats include beach, dunes, woodland, farm fields, and marsh. The majority of refuge marshlands are on islands contained within the waters of Back Bay.
On April 26, 1607, some 100 English settlers landed here and established the first elective government in English America before pushing up the James River to establish Jamestown. This historic event is reflected in the name of Virginia’s most visited state park.
The nature Conservancy's North Landing River Preserve encompasses 7,348 acres of wetlands and uplands along the West bank of the North Landing River in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake. The North Landing River Preserve provides a refuge for migratory waterfowl, rare plants and animals, and protects four of Virginia’s rarest natural communities: freshwater-brackish tidal marshes, canebrakes, pocosins, and Atlantic white cedar forest.
Grab a board and paddle out to the breakers for a natural thrill ride like no other. Whether you're already shredding or need a lesson or two to get going, Virginia Beach has all the waves you need to get in on the action. So drop in and get the fun started.
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