Hiking at First Landing State Park

Bald Cypress Trail

Our most popular trail offers a close look at bald cypress trees and knees along with cypress swamp habitat. Boardwalks and observation decks provide unique areas to watch and listen for frogs, woodpeckers and turtles. The Bald Cypress Trail is 1.5 miles in length but can be shortened by returning to the Visitor Center on Cape Henry Trail. The terrain is mostly level with a few uphill climbs on beautifully forested dunes. This is a self-guided interpretative trail with a booklet that describes points of interest and discusses the natural history of First Landing/Seashores's Natural Area. The booklet is available in the Visitor Center for a small fee.

Blaze Color: Red

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Cape Henry Trail

The Cape Henry Trail has a little something for everyone. It passes through bald cypress swamps, crosses 64th street, and continues through an old dune area. Hikers and bikers along this trail will pass over a wooden bridge spanning a salt marsh. Be sure to look for the osprey nests that can be viewed from the bridge benches. The trail ends at the Narrows where there is a small beach (no swimming), a boat launch, restrooms and vending machines.

Blaze Color: Dk. Green

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Fox Run Trail

Fox Run Trail is a connector to Long Creek Trail, Bald Cypress and the main park road. Named after the grey foxes which live there but are rarely seen, Fox Run is an excellent trail for bird watchers. Look for the parula and prothonotary warblers flying among the branches of the loblolly pines and American beeches.

Blaze Color: Yellow

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High Dune Trail

A short 1/4 mile trail takes you up and over a maritime forest dune ridge. From the top of the High Dune, hikers can see the beautiful lowland areas and mysterious cypress pools. The trail can be reached from Cape Henry Trail or the second leg of Bald Cypress Trail.

Blaze Color: Lt. Yellow

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Kingfisher Trail

A short 0.6 mile connecting trail between Cape Henry and Long Creek trails, King Fisher is not as heavily traveled as other trails. The trail provides a higher, drier area to hike. Large American beech trees are abundant and offer plenty of shade.

Blaze Color: White

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Long Creek Trail

Our longest trail (5 miles one way), Long Creek starts at the main park road and continues on to Broad Bay. Along the way you will pass through some of the salt marshes of First Landing/Seashore. Be sure and take binoculars to watch for great blue herons and egrets wading among the marsh grasses. As the trail passes White Hill Lake, stop for a good look at the osprey nests. The spring and summer are the best time to observe these nests.

Blaze Color: Orange

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Osmanthus Trail

The Osmanthus Trail is 3.1 miles long and can be accessed from the Bald Cypress Trail located behind the Trail Center. This lowland trail is a little wetter than most of our other trails and is open only to hikers. This trail is named after the osmanthus or wild olive tree and is home to a variety of ferns.

Blaze Color: Blue

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Osprey Trail

Because it runs along Broad Bay, Osprey Trail floods at high tide. Serene cypress swamps and beautiful views of the bay are all part of this trail which can be reached from Long Creek Trail on the main park road. The area is easily damaged, so please -- stay on the trial.

Blaze Color: Green

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White Hill Lake Trail

Wide and smooth, White Hill Lake Trail is most easily reached by following Long Creek Trail from the main park road or from either end of Cape Henry Trail. You will pass several cypress ponds, sweet gum trees and American beeches. From the Cape Henry Trail, White Hill Lake Trail ends at Long Creek Trail near a cement bridge. Oysters and fiddler crabs can be seen along the sides of the bridge.

Blaze Color: Gold

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The Bay Store

The Bay Store has a variety of groceries, snacks, camping supplies, firewood and outdoor recreation supplies. Concessions hours vary from Labor Day to Mid-October. The store also rents bikes, fishing equipment and crabbing gear, and sells bait, souvenirs, cold sandwiches, hot dogs, nachos and T-shirts.

• Season/Hours: Spring, Summer, Fall/Mid-April to Memorial Day, 9 A.M. - 9 P.M.; Memorial Day to Labor Day, 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.
• Fee: N/A
• Location:36° 55.1100 -76° 03.2050