Description: You will find Fist Landing State Park on the drive from Virginia Beach to Fort Story. It can easily be missed, as the entrance is located in between a housing development.
On April 26,1607 European settlers first landed here before heading out to Jamestown. In 1933 the commonwealth of Virginia purchased more than 2000 acres of land and established the First Landing State Park.
Today 2,270 acres offer visitors a chance to explore and enjoy more than 28 miles of trails. The park is listed on the National Register of Natural Landmarks. Here you will find something for the outdoor enthusiast including hiking trails, a beach, bird watching, and kayaking.
Lace up your hiking boots and explore the 28 miles of trails here that take you through marshes and woods. Bring your binoculars and enjoy the numerous birds that can be found here. You can rent bikes from the main office and peddle along the 6-mile Cape Henry Trail. For the water lovers in your group, sign up for one of the kayak tours offered by the park. You may swim in Chesapeake Bay, but there are no lifeguards available. Dogs are allowed, but must be on a leash at all times.
There is a visitor’s center, which provides information on the park, trail maps, as well as restrooms and vending machines. The center is open from 9-6 during the summer and 9-5 the rest of the year. They are closed on major holidays. Here you can also sign up for hiking tours, eco tours, and kayaking tours. During the summer months they offer a variety of classes for children and families. There is a monument to mark the landing in nearby Fort Story. Fort Story is an active military base, but they do allow visitors. All persons over 18 must have ID and agree to have your car searched.
They do offer picnic benches and several shelters for groups. You need to contact the visitor’s center to reserve one of the covered shelters. The park also offers 20 2-bedroom cabins for rent. Or if you have your own, they do offer both tent and RV spaces. Rental prices vary and sometime require minimum stay. You can contact the center for more information or to make reservations on line.
The park is truly a unique gem amongst the ever-growing beach side community. This park allows visitors to just reconnect with nature and enjoy this park as the settlers first did almost 400 years ago. I just hope Virginia will continue to allow this park to remain natural and unspoiled. As I said the entrance is accessible by driving through a housing development and from Chesapeake Bay you can look out and see the encroaching condos, townhouses, and elaborate waterside houses. Here's to hoping this place of beauty can continue to delight visitors as it first did in 1607. For more information go to www.vbfun.com.
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