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Educational Activities at False Cape State Park

(757) 426-7128

4001 Sandpiper Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Latitude: 36.593813

Longitude: -75.886521

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Interpretive programs include astronomy, bus tours, birding hikes, night hikes, kayak trips and seining programs. The park also offers special programs in conjunction with Virginia Marine Science Museum, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.Additionally, Wash Woods Environmental Center, located directly on the bay, offers a myriad of possibilities for ecological studies. The center can accommodate day visitors or 20 people overnight.

Educational Activities Amenities At False Cape State Park

Visitor Center

A small former hunting lodges sleeping quarters have been converted to a visitor center/gift shop. It is located in the northern part of the park near Barbour Hill and is situated at the intersection of the Barbour Hill Trail and the main park entry road and is accessible from both of these roads. Both pit toilets and a small covered information display are located nearby. The gift shop offers hats, T-shirts, sweatshirts and other mementos of ones visit to the park as well as information about the parks history and ecosystem.

Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park
Fee: Park Fees
Location:36° 37.2570 75° 54.0140

Environmental Education Center

Wash Woods Environmental Education Center is located on the bay side of the park in the Wash Woods section and is accessible from the Wash Woods Trail. It is a large two story air-conditioned facility that has bunk beds for 26 people. It also has a full kitchen, restrooms, shower, meeting area, a small library, and AV equipment. It is available for student groups for environmental education purposes. The two story structure first existed as a one story hunting lodge in the 1920s but in the 1950s the initial story was raised and a second, newer floor was built beneath it, giving the current structure that exists today.

Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park
Fee: N/A
Location:36° 34.6650 75° 53.3670

The Terra Gator

Ride the beach transporter, the Terra Gator, to False Cape State Park through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The Terra Gator operates only on weekends from Nov. 1 through March 31. The transporter departs Little Island City Park in Virginia Beach at 9 A.M. and returns there at 1 P.M. The trip takes about 45 minutes each way. Call 1-800-933-7275 (PARK) to make reservations. Once in False Cape, visitors can spend two hours exploring trails and the natural beach.

Season/Hours: Fall, Winter, Spring/Call 1-800-933-7275
Fee: Park Fees
Location:N/A

Tram Service

To get a taste of the park, the Back Bay Restoration Foundation operates a tram that leaves from Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, drives through the wildlife refuge and lets visitors explore the park for two hours in the Barbour Hill contact station area. The tram provides a round trip ride and is not available for overnight guests. The tram for False Cape operates from April 1 through October 31 on a first-come, first-served basis. Tram inquiries should be directed to call (757) 426-3643.

Season/Hours: April 1 - Oct 31/Call Park
Fee: Little Island City Park parking fee and Wildlife Refuge entrance fee.
Location:N/A

Other Activities At False Cape State Park: Biking, Boating and Water Sports, Camping, Fishing, Gifts and Shopping, Hiking, Hunting, Picnicking, Wildlife Activities and Canoeing And Kayaking

Click here to return to the destination overview for False Cape State Park, or check out other great Virginia outdoor destinations that offer access to Educational Activities.

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