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First Landing State Park

(757) 412-2300

2500 Shore Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Latitude: 36.918020

Longitude: -76.051547

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Don't Move Firewood

Originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, First Landing State Park is located on the Chesapeake Bay. The park's name was changed in 1997 from Seashore State Park to First Landing State Park to reflect its heritage as the first place where members of the Virginia Company landed. The park features beach, back dunes, upland forest, tidal marsh, and cypress swamp, and contains contains one of the most endangered habitat types in the world, the maritime forest community. To protect this unique and valuable resource, please remember to stay on the trails and use only designated recreation areas.

Outdoor Recreation Award for: Amazing Spots, Bird Watching, Educational & Historical Facilities, Hiking, Kid Friendly, Park Benches, Unique Cabins

Activities At This Destination: Hiking, Camping, Biking, Boating and Water Sports, Fishing, Swimming, Picnicking, Educational Activities, Gifts and Shopping, Hunting and Canoeing And Kayaking

›› Northern Detail Map

›› Southern Detail Map

›› Check Availability or Make A Reservation

›› Virginia State Parks Calendar

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Trails At This Destination

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

Usage:

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Length: 1.5
Difficulty: Moderate
Surface: Earth, Raised Boardwalks

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

Usage:

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Length: 6.3
Difficulty: Easy
Surface: Earth, Raised Boardwalks

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

Usage:

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Length: 0.3
Difficulty: Easy
Surface: Earth

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

Usage:

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Length: 0.25
Difficulty: Moderate
Surface: Earth, Some Steps

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

Usage:

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Length: 0.5
Difficulty: Easy
Surface: Earth

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

Usage:

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Length: 5
Difficulty: Moderate
Surface: Earth

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

Usage:

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Length: 2.5
Difficulty: Moderate
Surface: Earth, Raised Boardwalks

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

Usage:

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Length: 1.3
Difficulty: Moderate
Surface: Earth, Sand

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

Usage:

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Length: 1.4
Difficulty: Moderate
Surface: Earth

Amenities At This Destination

Boat Landing

Motorboats and other small craft may be launched from the Narrows boat ramp located at the 64th Street extension in the park's southern area. Facilities include the use of launching ramps, parking for cars and boat trailers and restrooms. No swimming in the Narrows or at boat launch. No motorboat rentals available, however kayak rentals are available on in-season weekends.

Season/Hours: All Year/24 Hours
Fee: Park Fees
Location:36° 53.5333 -76° 01.0866

Fishing Area

Fishing and crabbing are popular from the Narrows located between Broad Bay and Linkhorn Bay. A valid Virginia saltwater fishing license is required. Annual parking-launching passports are available by calling 1-800-933-PARK.

Season/Hours: All Year/24 Hours
Fee: Virginia saltwater fishing license
Location:36° 53.5333 -76° 01.0867

Camping Area

2,888 acres. Beach, 1.25 miles. Park has 218 sites with and without electric/water hookups. Firewood for sale at Bay Store (in season); bring a starter log and/or kindling. Swim at your own risk in Chesapeake Bay; no lifeguards. Boat launch is free for overnight guests.

Season/Hours: March 1 through the 1st Monday in December/N/A
Fee: Park Fees
Location:36° 55.1317 -76° 03.1283

Cabins

Weekly rentals begin Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Contact station open 24 hours Memorial Day through Labor Day. All cabins have two bedrooms. They are near the Chesapeake Bay but offer no view of the bay or ocean. Kitchen: Refrigerator, stove, coffeemaker, dishes, dishcloth, dish towels, silverware, cooking utensils, pots and pans, microwave oven, toaster, clock radios. Also includes rustic furniture and linens (one set per person for four people). Cabins are climate controlled (heat and AC). No dishwasher, telephone, TV or washer/dryer. Living area: two cushioned chairs, loveseat, dining table with four chairs. Bedrooms: beds, night stands and full length mirror. Fireplaces.

Season/Hours: All Year/N/A
Fee: Park Fees
Location:36° 55.0117 -76° 02.8117

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

Laundry

A laundry facitlity with washing machines and large capacity dryers is available in the park. Soap, other laundry products and change are available at the Bay Store.

Season/Hours: All Year/24 Hours
Fee: Park Fees
Location:36° 55.1100 -76° 03.2050

Bay Center

First Landing's Chesapeake Bay Center features a wet lab and educational displays that focus on the First Landing by English settlers here in 1607. The center features programs developed in cooperation with the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center. A visitor information center at the park also has information on area tours and attractions.

Season/Hours: All Year/9-5, weekdays
Fee: Included with park admission
Location:36° 55.1100 -76° 03.2050

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Swimming Area

The beach area, complete with bathhouse and concession, is open Memorial Day through Labor Day, 11 A.M. - 7 P.M. Friday, Saturday and Sunday and from 11 A.M.. - 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Swimming cannot be guaranteed should circumstances beyond the park's control require that swimming be closed.

Season/Hours: Spring, Summer, Fall/24 Hours
Fee: Park Fees
Location:36° 55.3500 -76° 02.9950

Picnic Area

The picnic area is equipped with drinking water, fire grills, refuse disposal, tables and restroom facilities.

Season/Hours: All Year/Daylight Hours
Fee: Park Fees
Location:36° 55.0150 -76° 03.0516

Picnic Shelter

A large picnic shelter is available for rent on a first-come, first-served basis by calling the Reservation Center at 1-800-933-PARK.

Season/Hours: Year Round/Daylight Hours
Fee: Park Fees
Location:36° 54.9816 -76° 03.1716

Amphitheater

A large open air amphitheater is on the Chesapeake side of the park. It seats over 200 people and offers a view of the Bay from the higher seats. The nearby courtyard and gazebo situated next to the visitor center and park office are frequently rented out for special occasions such as weddings. Contact the park for reservation details.

Season/Hours: Spring, Summer and Fall/Daylight Hours
Fee: Park Fees
Location:36° 55.1100 -76° 03.2517

Member-Contributed Photos Of This Destination

Uploaded 5/18/2012 by Thomas Jenkins

Uploaded 9/22/2011 by Mike Brooks