First Landing State Park | Virginia - love | cook

My Visit to the Park

As I continue to visit the Discoverer’s List of Best State Parks in Each State, I am seeing some themes, but I also have started asking rangers and volunteers why they think their park is the best in their state. The Ranger at First Landing State Park thought for a minute and thought it was because of the diverse ecosystems in the park. I personally think it is because it is the most visited State Park in Virginia. So as I reflect on my visit, I did find the diverse ecosystems to be fascinating.

The parking fee is $7 and on weekends from April to October, it’s $10. As many of you know, I am not in favor of park fees, but at least this is by car and somewhat affordable for a family of $4 in one car. There are three different areas for the park – two entrances off of Shore Drive – to one side is First Landing Beach, the Visitor Center, and the Camp Grounds. On the other side is Cyprus Swamp Road, which will take you to the trail center. Additionally, there is an entrance of off Atlantic Avenue at 64th Street.

It was a hot and humid day, but thankfully it was overcast. It also looked like the weather was going to turn, so I did a drive-by at the beach area and focused my visit on the Trail Center area and then the area near the 64th Street Entrance.

Pictures: First Landing State Park – Beach

Pictures: Entrance Sign | Trail Map

About the Park and more work by the CCC

First Landing State Park, nestled along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia, is a coastal haven that seamlessly blends natural beauty with historical significance. Spanning over 2,800 acres, this state park holds the distinction of being the site where English settlers, led by Captain John Smith, first touched the shores of the New World in 1607. The park’s name itself pays homage to this momentous event, marking the initial landing of these pioneers. Built in part by an all African-American Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933-1940, the park is a National Natural Landmark and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

As Virginia’s most-visited state park, it’s an oasis within urban Virginia Beach. The park has 20 miles of trails and 1.5 miles of sandy Chesapeake Bay beach frontage. First Landing offers many recreational and educational activities and has many unusual habitats including bald cypress swamps, lagoons and maritime forest, as well as rare plants and wildlife.

Camping enthusiasts can immerse themselves in the natural surroundings by staying at one of the park’s campgrounds, offering a unique opportunity to connect with nature. Educational programs and interpretive displays further enrich the visitor experience, shedding light on the region’s ecological and historical significance.

Please note: The park is located beside a military training center that operates year-round in any weather at any time of day or night. Park guests may experience unusual sights and loudness. Nighttime training may last even beyond midnight. The activities pose no risk to park guests.

Let the Hiking Begin

As you can see from the picture below, the trails in this park are well-marked. At the entrance of the Trail Center is a fox – a life-size, life-like bronze red fox created by Sculptor David Turner of Turner Sculpture on the Eastern Shore. Friends of First Landing State Park chose a fox for the sculpture because foxes are prevalent in the park and also because a fox is Virginia State Park’s mascot.

From the Trail Center parking lot, I decided to explore the swampy area first and take the Bald Cypress Trail. This hike takes you across a raised walkway through the trees and over the swamp. I did keep a keen out for snakes in the swamp, but didn’t see any, which I was super bummed about.

Pictures: “Fox on Alert” | Well Marked Trails

Pictures: Raised Walkway through the Swamp

Time for a Wardrobe Change

I hiked the Bald Cypress Trail which led me to the Cape Henry Trail. Then I reconnected with the Bald Cypress Trail and finally connected to the Fox Run Trail. As indicated by my previous sentences, many trails intersect each other near the Trail Center, making it a maze of trails. I walked a bit down the Fox Run Trail but soon realized I was uncomfortable. So, I turned back to the parking lot, changed my clothes, and grabbed a rain jacket along with some more water and snacks. After that, I restarted and walked again down the Fox Run Trail. Personally, I have no problem restarting a hike if I feel uncomfortable.

Fox Run connects to Long Creek Trail. This is a nice hike along Long Creek, although I was quickly reminded that I was in the middle of a city as I began to hear leaf blowers and the sound of hammers from a nearby construction site.

Pictures: Along Long Creek Trail

Mushrooms and Spanish Moss

While exploring the park, I discovered various mushrooms and Spanish moss. As a child, I was fascinated by Spanish moss and would look for it every year on our trip to Ormond Beach, Florida.

Pictures: Some of the many mushrooms I found in the park

Pictures: Spanish Moss

The Mystery of Unknown Waters

“The marsh, to him who enters it in a receptive mood, holds, besides mosquitoes and stagnation, melody, the mystery of unknown waters, and the sweetness of Nature undisturbed by man.”
― William Beebe, The Log of the Sun a Chronicle of Nature’s Year

The Long Trail passes through a cool marsh, filled with many hidden secrets beneath the unknown waters. Along the way, you will encounter observation towers that are perfect for bird watching and also witness the natural wonders of the area, such as crabs. The trail runs parallel to Broad Bay, where Long Creek flows in. And yes, bugs and mosquitoes are common in this area of the park.

Pictures: Looking out towards Broad Bay | The Marsh

Pictures: Observation Tower | Local Crab

Pictures: More of the Marsh

What do I hear in the distance?

While hiking on the Long Creek Trail, I heard a strange bird call in the distance. I decided to follow the Osprey Trail to investigate, and to my surprise, I discovered an Osprey perched on a dead tree. It seemed as though the bird was inviting me to come visit. The Osprey Trail has some uphill sections, as well as a stretch that runs along a beach and Broad Bay. As the trail moves away from the beach, you’ll cross a bridge and go over a tributary. The amber color of the water reminded me of Black Water Falls State Park in West Virginia where the water gets its amber color from the pine needles.

Pictures: The Osprey | Osprey Trail along the Beach

A lot of Backtracking Today

After crossing the bridge, I decided to turn around and head back up the hill. I took the Long Creek Trail to the White Hill Lake trail with the goal of reaching the “summit” of White Hill, which has an elevation of 33 feet. As I hiked up towards White Hill, I encountered a turtle crossing the trail. The turtle didn’t seem pleased to see me and quickly retreated into its shell.

A Great Place to Exercise

I didn’t take much time to reach White Hill. After that, I turned back and took the Long Creek Trail. I walked a short distance on the trail and later took the Kingfisher Trail, which led me to the Cape Henry Trail. The Cape Henry Trail is a mixed-use trail that caters to both hikers and mountain bikers. Along the way, there are various exercise stations, and I also passed several trail runners. I love trail running and would come here frequently for a run if I lived nearby.

Soon I was back to the Trail Center. I did a total of 6.5 miles, which took me 2 hrs. 30 minutes to complete. From here, I decided to drive to the 64th Street Entrance and explore that part of the park.

Pictures: One of the Education Signs | One of the Exercise Stations

Humans can be Horrible and Destructive

“It’s just a short drive to the 64th Street Entrance. This part of the park wasn’t very busy, though I think it would be if the weather were nicer. It began to sprinkle as I explored this section of the park. There is a cool beach to explore, as well as a maritime forest. The Narrows are also located here, which connects Linkhorn Bay with Broad Bay, and is filled with oysters as thick as stones. I ran into several families exploring the beach, as well as a few guys fishing. Unfortunately, my last impression of the park was an abundance of trash and graffiti on the trees. It’s sad to see how people can be so horrible and destructive.”

I was pleasantly surprised by First Landing State Park’s diverse ecosystems, historical significance, and recreational offerings. It’s a natural haven worth exploring, especially if you are vacationing in the area.