First Landing State Park RV & Campground Guide
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If you want a tranquil place to relax, plan a camping adventure to First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the most visited state park in the Old Dominion state. State officials established this park on Chesapeake Bay in 1933, and it is the oldest planned state park in Virginia. Part of the park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the National Natural Landmark lists. This park, initially called Seashore State Park, is near where the Virginia Company landed in 1607, and you'll want to explore the Military Aviation Museum and the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum and see the oldest lighthouse in America, Cape Henry Lighthouse.
Nearby cities:
Norfolk, VA
Portsmouth, VA
Williamsburg, VA
Hopewell, VA
Spring 52-65 F
Summer 73-84 F
Fall 59-68 F
Winter 39-51 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in First Landing State Park
Campground Accommodations
First Landing State Park Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 50 feet
Other amenities: picnic tables, showers, grills
Holiday Trav-L-Park
Holiday Trav-L-Park is located just south of Virginia Beach, a short 20-minute drive from First Landing State Park, and is the perfect base camp for exploring the area. The campground holds 700 campsites and is chock full of activities no matter the time of year. If you’re traveling with kids, be sure to check out the swimming pools, playgrounds, mini-golf course, and basketball court. Depending on the season, rates start at $30-$55 per night for electric and water hookups.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wifi: Yes
Pet friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Trolley to the beach, full-service bathhouses, swimming pools, playgrounds, volleyball and basketball courts, dog park, cafe, convenience stores, laundromat, dumping station
North Bay Shore Campground
North Bayshore Campground is a peaceful, quiet campsite set away from the busy highway in the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. This quaint campsite offers visitors a chance to sit back and relax or enjoy the great outdoors by swimming in the pool, kayaking on the bay, or fishing off the canal. Located in southern Virginia Beach, the campsite is about 30 minutes away from First Landing State Park and within several miles of seafood restaurants and local attractions. Rates start at $55 per night for electric and water hookups.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wifi: Yes
Pet friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Swimming pool, private showers, babysitting, game room, playground, boat ramp, dumping station, kayaks and canoes to rent
What to Do at
First Landing State Park
If you are looking for a fantastic place for a Chesapeake Bay beach day, head to First Landing State Park, where the surf is usually quieter than at other beaches in Virginia Beach. There are over 18 miles of trails to explore, and you can learn more about the different options at The Trail Center. Stop at the Chesapeake Bay Center to learn more about the area's history. Enjoy a day on the water by using the boat launch.
Visiting First Landing State Park is exciting primarily because of the variety of activities available, including swimming, boating, and beach activities. On land, you can learn more about the area's history, go hiking and enjoy a picnic.
Inside First Landing State Park
Whether you’re looking for a low-key getaway or an active weekend adventure, First Landing State Park has just what you need. There are over 1.5 miles of sandy beaches along the Chesapeake Bay, ideal for relaxing by the water, going for a swim, or spending an afternoon in a boat or kayak. Further in-land, nature lovers will delight in the 20 miles of trail that weave through forested trails and feature stunning natural habitats, from towering bald cypress trees to maritime forests, making for beautiful sightseeing, hiking, and biking. First Landing State Park also offers educational programs at its Chesapeake Bay Center for those interested in learning more about the park’s flora, fauna, and history.
Here are a few more details on the park’s most popular activities:
Trails - The trail network at First Landing State Park is expansive, with 10 trails of varying in intensity and length. Cape Henry Trail is a 6.1-mile trail and a park favorite for hikers and bikers alike because of its wide path, flat terrain, and views of Lake Susan Constant, salt marshes, and dense forests. Guided trail walks are available during peak season and trail maps are available at the Trail Center.
Swimming and Kayaking - The calm, cool waters of the Chesapeake Bay are perfect for swimming, especially on a hot summer day, but be cautious as there are no lifeguards on duty. You are welcome to go kayaking and canoeing, although you’ll need to rent equipment or bring your own.
Fishing and Boating - Fishing and crabbing are fun activities at the park, especially for young children. Boating enthusiasts can launch their motorboats at the boat ramp located at the 64th Street extension in the southern area of the park, which also includes restrooms and parking for cars and boat trailers.
Fishing
While you can fish in Chesapeake Bay, Broad Bay, and Lynnhaven Bay by launching a vessel at the three-lane-wide boat launch, consider going blue-claw crabbing at Narrows Beach for a unique adventure. The best time to go crabbing is in August and September. Use a net with a diameter under 15 inches and scoop the blue claw crabs into a bucket in the middle of the night as they are nocturnal.
Geocaching
A geocache at First Landing State Park is part of the state's LOST cache program. The cache is along the overlapping part of the Bald Cypress Trail and the Osmanthus Trail. It is in a plastic bag inside a clear plastic box. Participants get a card after signing the logbook.
Nature Watching
Take a hike along the Long Creek and Osprey Trails, and you will likely see great blue herons wading in the water. If you choose to hike along the Bald Cypress, Fox Run, and Osmanthus Trails in the dune forests instead, you may hear screech owls, especially near sunset. Visitors often see squirrels and rabbits throughout the park, and lucky visitors may even spot a bobcat.
Flora and Fauna
First Landing State Park covers more than 2,800 acres, and you will discover several different ecosystems, including forests, dunes, marshes and wetlands. Many people come to this park to see the towering cypress trees. The Bald Cypress Trail, which starts at The Trail Center, is a terrific option to see the swamps because you walk over the swamps on a boardwalk.
Hiking
If you have children along, ensure you check out the four unique hiking quests that park staff have designed for them. The brochures encourage children to understand more about things they will see along the trail. Children get a checklist with photos and names to help them identify what they are seeing.
Boating
Take the south entrance to the park, and enter the Narrows section to go boating. You can launch your vessel at the paved boat ramp. There is a $4 launching fee and a $4 parking fee unless you are camping. Then, the state waives the fee.
Swimming
While no lifeguard is on duty, you can swim at Narrows Beach. The water tends to be very calm, and this beach is often uncrowded. There are four boardwalks leading to the beach.
Biking
Cape Henry Trail is a terrific option for a family bike ride as the trail is primarily flat with a couple of hills. This trail is six miles long and ends at The Narrows, so it is easy to cool off in the water. This sandy trail is packed solid in most areas, but you may ride through some softer spots.
How to Get to
First Landing State Park
You can get to First Landing State Park from Cape Henry Lighthouse. Start by heading northwest on Atlantic Avenue. Turn right on US 60 West in 2.3 miles. Follow it until you see the main park entrance on your right.
Entering First Landing State Park
There is a $7 per car entrance fee on weekdays and a $10 entrance fee on weekends.
First Landing State Park Weekday Entrance Fee : $7.0
First Landing State Park Per Weekend Entrance Fee : $10.0
Now that you know all about First Landing State Park, we’re excited for you to get out there and start your adventure! We’d love to hear all about your trip — whether you kayak with the dolphins, hike alongside the cypress trees, or relax on the beach — so tag us in your social media posts or send us a photo and fun anecdotes to [email protected]. We might just feature your story on our blog or social media. Happy camping!
Frequently Asked Questions About First Landing State Park
Late summer is a fantastic time to visit First Landing State Park. The water will be warm enough to enjoy, and you can go crabbing.
You can see many types of wildlife at First Landing State Park, including over 300 species of birds. You can also see squirrels, rabbits and bobcats.
There are 200 camping spots at First Landing State Park. They range from primitive options to full-service choices.
Reservations are not always required at First Landing State Park, but the campground often fills up on the weekends. Therefore, you should consider making reservations. Camping fees vary from $24 to $32, depending on the level of desired services.
Pets are permitted at First Landing State Park in designated areas. Keep them on a leash no more than 6 feet long. Pets must have proof of rabies vaccination as well.