Kiptopeke State Park

Bald Eagle Bluff Trail and Walkway

The Bald Eagle Bluff Trail and Walkway is handicap accessible and is located at the northwest corner of the campground just north of the yurt and amphitheater. It is the northernmost boardwalk and near the park's northern boundary. As the elevation above the beach is greater here than in other areas, the walkway provides a nice overlook of the Chesapeake Bay and Cape Charles.

Blaze Color: Green

Usage:

View Video Tour | Get Video Tour QR Code
Download Trail Map |  Get Trail Map QR Code

Bayview Overlook Trail

This trail and overlook are only accessible from the Mockingbird Trail, in the parks southern corner. The overlook does not provide access to the beach. From this fenced overlook one can see the bay, the high bridges and the fishing pier to the north. Offshore you can see the arc of nine large cargo ships made of concrete that were sunk just off the beach in water so shallow that much of the hulls rise above the water. The World War II-era vessels were placed here in 1949 to form a breakwater around the Kiptopeke Ferry Terminal, where ferries from Little Creek, across the Chesapeake Bay, docked for fifteen years prior to the opening of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel in 1964.

Blaze Color: Red

Usage:

View Video Tour | Get Video Tour QR Code

Baywoods Trail

The Baywoods Trail is a moderate difficulty, 1.2 mile loop that is accessible from the picnic area, the Raptor Trail, and the Wood Warbler Trail and Walkway. The trail also provides access to the Peregrine Passage Walkway. The trail leads users to views of osprey nests, a butterfly garden, a bird banding station and numerous fields of seasonal wildflowers. A feature of this and other trails in the park, is the interpretive signs about the migratory birds that make this one of our nation's most important bird population study areas.

Blaze Color: Blue

Usage:

View Video Tour | Get Video Tour QR Code
Download Trail Map |  Get Trail Map QR Code

Chickadee Trail

The Chickadee Trail is a .2 mile,easy trail that is accessible from the Songbird Trail in two places and subsequently provides two points of access to the Mockingbird Trail. The trail runs through coastal forest, agricultural fields and dense thickets of American holly. This 'quiet corner' of the park is home to numerous deer and other wildlife.

Blaze Color: Yellow

Usage:

View Video Tour | Get Video Tour QR Code
Download Trail Map |  Get Trail Map QR Code

Mockingbird Trail

The Mockingbird Trail is a .4 mile, moderate difficulty trail that is accessible from the Chickadee Trail in two places and subsequently provides access to the short Bayview Overlook Trail. The Mockingbird Trail runs through coastal forest with various hardwood trees, and dense thickets of American holly. Please do not wander off of the trail as this area, and the nearby beach,are part of a protected environment.

Blaze Color: Red

Usage:

View Video Tour | Get Video Tour QR Code
Download Trail Map |  Get Trail Map QR Code

Osprey Trail and Overlook Walkway

The Osprey Trail and Overlook Walkway is north of the fishing pier and accessible from the yurt access road. The walkway rises and falls via flights of stairs as it crosses the dunes, providing views and beach access.

Usage:

View Video Tour | Get Video Tour QR Code
Download Trail Map |  Get Trail Map QR Code

Peregrine Passage Trail

The Peregrine Passage Walkway is the southernmost trail and boardwalk in the park. It can be accessed from the Baywoods Trail but is not handicap accessible due to the considerable number of stairs along its length. The boardwalk provides access to the beach, however the area south of the walkway is a protected environment and park guests are asked not to enter this area in order to protect this fragile environment.

Usage:

View Video Tour | Get Video Tour QR Code
Download Trail Map |  Get Trail Map QR Code

Raptor Trail

The Raptor Trail is a 1.3 mile long, wide, moderate difficulty trail that is accessible from the Baywoods Trail, the Songbird Trail, the picnic area, and from the main park road north of the contact station. It goes around the cabin area and like the Songbird Trail follows the edges of large fields of tall grasses and wildflowers where many birds, such as the red winged blackbird, may be spotted. Trail users are reminded to be courteous of the private property that abuts portions of this trail.

Blaze Color: Orange

Usage:

View Video Tour | Get Video Tour QR Code
Download Trail Map |  Get Trail Map QR Code

Songbird Trail

Songbird Trail is an easy 1.5 mile loop in the southern part of the park. It is accessible from the Raptor Trail, the Chickadee Trail and from an alternate park access off of Route 13. The eastern leg runs close to this road while the western leg winds throughout tall grasses and wildflowers adjacent to the coastal forest. As the name suggests, songbirds can be seen and heard and the large grassy area provides bedding areas for numerous white-tailed deer.

Blaze Color: Silver

Usage:

View Video Tour | Get Video Tour QR Code
Download Trail Map |  Get Trail Map QR Code

Wood Warbler Trail and Walkway

The Wood Warbler Trail and Walkway is just south of the fishing pier and is handicap accessible from the parking area near the boat ramp. The trail may also be accessed from the Baywoods Trail.

Usage:

View Video Tour | Get Video Tour QR Code
Download Trail Map |  Get Trail Map QR Code

Camping Area

The campground is accessible just north of the main park road and has two bathhouses and plenty of picnic tables and outdoor grills. There is also an amphitheater with several benches and a fire pit overlooking the bay. The bunkhouse and yurt are in the campground as well. Pets are permitted in campground, RVs, and bunkhouse for an additional charge but they are not permitted in the Yurt.

• Season/Hours: March 1 through the 1st Monday in December/Call Park (757) 331-2267
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 10.2080 -75° 59.1260

Hawk Observatory

Since 1963, Kiptopeke has been the site of bird population studies. Sponsored by the Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory and licensed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, volunteers capture, examine, weigh, band and release resident and migratory birds each year from mid-August through November. In the raptor research area, hawks, kestrels, osprey and other birds of prey are observed and banded from September through November. Kiptopekes hawk observatory is among the top 15 nationwide.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (757) 331-2267
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 10.0980 -75° 58.9460

Picnic Area

The Picnic Area is accessible from the main park road and is just west of the cabin area. It has two group picnic shelters that can be reserved, several picnic tables and outdoor grills. There are also restrooms, an outdoor tap, vending machines, a playground and easy access to the Hawk Observatory and Baywoods Trail. Nearby there is an old motel sign from when Tourinn's Motor Court used to be in business.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Closes at Dusk. Bathrooms: March - end of Nov
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 10.1450 -75° 58.8410

Boat Ramp

The boat ramp offers public access to the Chesapeake Bay and is located at the end of the main park road next to the fishing pier. There is parking available nearby to leave boat trailers during the day. Boaters are reminded that both the consumption and display of alcohol are illegal in the park.Launch fees do not include daily parking fees. Parking fees are $3 for weekdays and $4 for weekends. No charge for boat launching for camping and cabin guests as long as guests park their trailer at their campsite.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (757) 331-2267
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 10.0110 -75° 59.2860

Fishing Pier

The fishing pier is located at the end of the main park road and is right next to the boat ramp. For those, such as campers, planning to use the pier for several days, an adult pier fishing coupon book can be purchased. No fishing license is required for pier fishing.Pier lights are on May 1st through December 31st only. Day fishing only January 1st through April 30th.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Closes at dusk
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 10.0110 -75° 59.2860

Camp Store

A small store can be found in the parking lot of the Waterfront Recreation Complex. There one can purchase ice, bait, fishing lures, snacks, or any other last minute fishing and boating necessities. Also available are t-shirts, jewelry and souvenirs. The store is open thoughout the summer and on weekends in fall.

• Season/Hours: May - October/Call Park (757) 331-2267
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 10.0760 -75° 59.0850

Swim Beach

The northern part of the beach at Kiptopeke is available for swimming. No fishing, boats of any kind, jet skis, pets or glass allowed.

• Season/Hours: Memorial Day to Labor Day/Call Park (757) 331-2267
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 09.8840 -75° 59.0260

Butterfly Garden

Established and maintained by Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory. This garden was designed to attract resident and migratory butterfly species.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Closes at dusk
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 10.0430 -75° 58.9000

Yurt

Recreational yurts are a modern adaptation of an ancient nomadic Yurtshelter, combining a beautiful wood frame and durable, electronically bonded architectural fabric. Functionally speaking, it's a cross between a tent and a cabin. The Kiptopeke yurt, the only of its kind in Virginia's park system, has a spectacular view of the Chesapeake Bay with a large wooden deck, picnic table, fire ring with cooking grate, an exterior floodlight, food preparation table and a water spigot. Reservations are required. No smoking, cooking or pets are allowed in the yurt. Two vehicles allowed with room to park boat or trailer. Additional vehicles must pay the daily parking fee and park in the overflow lot.

• Season/Hours: March 1 to Labor Day/Check-in: 3 P.M. Checkout: 10 A.M.
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 10.2080 -75° 59.1260

Lodges

There are five lodges at Kiptopeke. The lodges are still being built, but reservations are being taken for the 2007 season for arrivals May 1, 2007, and beyond.During prime season, lodges are reserved for full weeks only. The reservation period starts on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. A two-night minimum stay is required the rest of the year, however in prime season guests who wish to stay less than a week may call 30 days prior to desired arrival date to see if there is vacancy for two-night minimum stay. They are open year-round and may be reserved 11 months in advance. Call Park for details

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (757) 331-2267
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:N/A

Amphitheater

The park offers a small outdoor amphitheater with wooden benches and a wooden platform. Call the park for details.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (757) 331-2267
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 10.2080 -75°59.1260

Picnic Shelter 1

Kiptopeke has two shelters available for rent. Each can be rented from 8 A.M. to dusk (all day).Shelter 1 offers a grill, picnic tables and nearby restrooms. It accommodates up to 80 and have three wheelchair openings. Nine tables are 7 feet long and three others, which are handicapped accessible, are 16 feet long. There's also seating available outside the shelter for up to 40 additional people, but these tables cannot be rented. The shelter has no elecricity. A playground, drink machine, and water hydrants and several grills are nearby.

• Season/Hours: March through November/Full Day
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 10.1450 -75° 58.8410

Picnic Shelter 2

Kiptopeke has two shelters available for rent. Each can be rented from 8 A.M. to dusk (all day).Shelter 2 offers a grill, picnic tables and nearby restrooms. It accommodates up to 80 and have three wheelchair openings. Nine tables are 7 feet long and three others, which are handicapped accessible, are 16 feet long. There's also seating available outside the shelter for up to 40 additional people, but these tables cannot be rented. The shelter has no elecricity. A playground, drink machines and water hydrants are nearby, as are several grills.

• Season/Hours: March through November/Full Day
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 10.1220 -75° 58.9440

South Beach

Fish is allowed from beach. Must have V.A. saltwater fishing license or be 65+ years of age.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Closes at dusk
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:37° 09.8840 -75° 59.0260