First Landing State Park

Park Amenities and Things to Do

Hiking

First Landing State Park offers nine trails covering 19 miles of varied mild-to-moderate terrain. For only-in-Virginia-Beach scenery, you can’t beat the Bald Cypress Trail—a shady 1.5-mile loop through the gnarly, knobby and oddly beautiful cypress swamps. Wooden boardwalks and observation platforms give you a unique perspective on this fascinating ecosystem and its wildlife.

For a longer adventure with equally enticing scenery, try the Long Creek Trail. This five-mile trek through open salt marshland traces the edge of the Chesapeake Bay, passing picturesque White Hill Lake and offering some of the finest birdwatching in the area. Keep your eyes peeled for great blue herons, great horned owls, screech owls and several woodpecker and songbird species. Chipmunks and squirrels may be out foraging, and in the off-season, you may even catch a glimpse of the park’s larger and more elusive mammals: bobcats and gray or red foxes.

Biking

The most popular trail in the park, the Cape Henry Trail, is about 12 miles roundtrip — a wide, well-worn sand road that spans the whole length of the park, passing through dense forest, cypress swamps, salt marshes and a freshwater lake. This is a take-your-time trail: There’s plenty to see at every turn, and you’ll likely be sharing it with a few hikers … so slow your roll. An important note: First Landing State Park is strictly BYOB (bring your own bicycle), so if you’re not traveling with two-wheeled transportation, be sure to secure them at one of the many bike rental shops in town.

Swimming, Kayaking and Boating

For more family fun, there are a variety of ways to take the plunge at First Landing State Park. The swimming beach — part of the tranquil Chesapeake Bay — is ideal for families with small children, with gentle, lapping waters that hardly qualify as waves. At the 64th Street section of the park, you’re welcome to paddle out via canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard … or even launch a motorboat. Again, the park doesn’t offer rentals, so be sure to arrange your equipment rental or guided tour with a local outfitter like Chesapean Outdoors.

NOTE: Due to strong currents, swimming is not recommended at The Narrows. 

Camping and Cabins

First Landing State Park welcomes happy campers of all ages from the first Friday in March through the first Monday in December. Choose from more than 200 beautiful campsites for both tents and RVs — plus four yurts and 20 year-round cabins. Amenities include laundry facilities, bath houses, a convenient camp store and even a playground. It all adds up to some of the smoothest and most pleasurable “roughing it” on the East Coast. Reserve online.

Fishing and Crabbing

Aspiring crabbers and anglers, take note: the Narrows, located between Broad Bay and Linkhorn Bay and accessed via 64th Street, is known for its bountiful waters. Lucky crabbers might score some fresh blue claws; anglers could reel in Spanish mackerel, bluefish, flounder or striped bass. All good fun, all good eatin’ — and all even more delicious when enjoyed in nature.

Chesapeake Bay Center and Bay Store

If you’re traveling with little ones, be sure to swing by the Chesapeake Bay Center to sign up for Summer Camp activities (ages 6–12) or pick up a Junior Ranger activity booklet. The kids will love the small science lab and live-animal exhibits, where they can get nose-to-nose with turtles and horseshoe crabs.

The adjacent Bay Store has a variety of groceries, snacks, ice, firewood, fishing/crabbing gear and other basic camping supplies. And the nearby Cape Snack Bar and Gifts serves up hot dogs, burgers, fries and nachos, and sells additional supplies and souvenirs. Concessions are closed in January and February. March through May, as well as September through December, concession hours vary, so call the park for details before your visit. All concessions operate daily from the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, 9:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.

Accessibility at First Landing State Park

The campground offers four accessible bathhouses and a universally accessible playground for everyone to enjoy. Additionally, the Cape Henry Trail is smooth sailing for explorers of all abilities. At the swimming beach, mats make it a cinch to navigate the sandy dunes, and there is also a first-come, first-served beach wheelchair available for use. Find more details on park accessibility.