First Landing State Park
4.7(7.3K)google
4.5(234)yelp
BeachForestHikingCampingOutdoor
Overview
Marking the exact historical landing site of the famous English Jamestown pioneers who arrived on Virginia's shores in 1607, First Landing State Park is a jaw-dropping geological and cultural wonderland. Located in Virginia Beach, this vast 2,888-acre nature reserve features a spectacular array of wild maritime forests, cypress swamps draped beautifully in Spanish moss, and pristine dune ecosystems. Visitors can hike miles of shaded wilderness paths winding under mature trees, launch kayaks into tranquil saltwater inlets, and discover early American heritage.
Practical Info
Every day7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Suggested Duration3-5 hours
Best TimeLate October during peak autumn canopy transformation along the coastal wetlands is unparalleled. Hike the unpaved Bald Cypress Trail loops between 7:00 AM and 9:30 AM when heavy morning swamp mist hangs over the dark waters draped in Spanish moss, offering a pristine gothic aesthetic.
Getting ThereSituated on Cape Henry at 2500 Shore Dr in northern Virginia Beach. Driving is highly efficient: travel north from the Oceanfront via Atlantic Ave for 15 minutes as it merges into Shore Dr. The park entryway rolls into a large paved daily-fee surface lot featuring accessible boardwalks to the dunes.
Travel Tips
- The park is split into the Chesapeake Bay beach side and the trail system forest side, completely separated by Shore Drive with no interior driving connection. Each side has a separate toll gate, but a single day pass is valid for entry on both sides on the same day.
- The landmark Bald Cypress Trail loop faces intense mosquito and tick swarms near the stagnant swamp waters. Apply heavy repellent before hiking. The wooden boardwalks are highly slippery from moss; personal bicycles are strictly banned from this specific trail.
- Beach-side parking lots completely fill by 10:00 AM on summer weekends, causing long wait lines at the gates for dynamic metering. Unauthorized beach camping or open bonfires are strictly illegal; park rangers conduct aggressive night patrols.
Reviews
Positive
- The swamp landscape with Spanish moss hanging from ancient cypress trees is deeply stunning, like stepping into a magical forest, and the Chesapeake Bay beach offers pristine serenity.
- The trail system, especially the Bald Cypress Trail, is very clearly marked; the visitor center features accessible boardwalks, very clean restrooms, and ample shaded seating.
- The park rangers are highly responsible, maintaining great order; they preserve the environment beautifully and provide detailed safety tips and wildlife reminders at the gates.
- Each vehicle only pays a very low basic park entry fee to enjoy both forest hiking and a quiet beach, offering incredible value compared to the busy oceanfront.
Heads up
- Summer and autumn trails are plagued by catastrophically numerous mosquitoes and ticks; without heavy-duty insect repellent and long pants, you get covered in bites instantly.
- Deep inside the swamp and forest trails, there are zero restrooms or public trash cans, lacking basic infrastructure, meaning all waste must be packed out to the entrance.
- The parking lot on the beach side is relatively small and gets completely packed on summer weekend middays, causing long vehicle queues at the entrance or forced turn-arounds.
- Because some sections are purely sandy dirt trails, navigating strollers or wheelchairs is extremely grueling, and low-lying paths flood and sink after rain.