First Landing State Park

First Landing is quite possibly my favorite spot in all of Hampton Roads. There’s a number of easier trails and some that are intermediate in difficulty. Study the trail maps before you head out. I’ve never gotten lost out there but it could easily happen. Lots of the trails intersect and it’s not always marked clearly. Cape Henry is the gorgeous main trail but don’t be afraid to venture out onto the side trails. Osmanthus, High Dune, and White Hill Lake are particularly pretty. Bug spray during the summer is an absolute must unless you want to be eaten alive.

Great park with miles of trails and a great ranger station. My husband and I took several trails and enjoyed them all.

Absolutely amazing! Aside from having to pay to get into the park. The hiking trails are extremely beautiful, it’s well kept! The scenery is like no other. I love taking my son and husband here to hike! Very beautiful, will be taking my pup soon!

Visited around the end of September and it was very crowded — in fact, there were THREE weddings happening at the same time that day, 2 on the beach and one on the grounds (playing very loud country music). I would have liked to explore the beach but there were just too many people.
The forest hikes were nice, though. A few runners pasted us and everyone was pretty friendly. Saw some wild life and got a ton of bug bites.
Their gift shop was fun, and their trails were well marked. The visitor staff was very friendly as well (one even helped me with a map!).

I posted some photos & they say it all. We went for a hike & everyone was so friendly. The trails were clean, easy to follow, & so well maintained. The park staff was very helpful & kind. The information plaques were fun to read & overall it was great.

Stayed one night tent camping in late October. We reserved a spot in the site specific area and really enjoyed it. Our site was on the small side, but we still enjoyed the feeling of privacy due to the vegetation. Many beautiful sites in Campground C.
Had access to a boardwalk to the beach within an easy walk from our campsite.
Park was very clean and the restrooms & showers were above average. Showers have individual units, which is a nice modern touch.
The staff in the office and store were very welcoming and pleasant.
Plenty to do in the area. The beach speaks for itself. There is plenty of great hiking.

Very large and accommodating State Park. Stopped here for a three hour hike through some very beautiful terrain. No cost, clean.

Mostly private camping sites, Close to the beach, good rates BUT my bike was stolen from under our awning.

After camping here for the past five years, I’m going to add a star since they have really stepped up their game in maintaining clean waters and safe, friendly grounds.
Last night I saw four happy dolphins and schools of fish jumping in and out of the waves. And in some parts of the water, I could see straight through the ground to my toes… in Virginia beach!!! Who would have thought?
Sandy dunes, clear water, frolicking dolphins, and neighbors singing folk songs in their old-​timey guitar… it doesn’t get much better than this in Virginia!

A wonderful park and beach with camping, restrooms and camp/​gift store and amenities.
Lovely and great for families with kids. We can’t wait to return.

Another great opportunity f I r family time… even if some ate saying, ewww nature got on me.
Cyprus trail is a good way to burn off the day. Stay yo the right to make way for the runners and cross country teams practicing.
Bug spray… bug spray… bug spray. It is a swamp people :) did I mention bug spray?
Pet friendly to include drinking stations. But PLEASE clean up after your pet… don’t be «that guy» or «that gal»
$ 4 parking for residents and typically honor system on trail side after six pm.
#757bucketlist

This park has some really good hikes, but some inconvenient parking spots in that you have to walk a ways to get to some of the harder trailheads. It’s not a deal breaker just something to consider, although if you’re doing those trails you probably won’t mind the extra walk anyways. The park ranger I talked to didn’t seem to know a lot about the park.
Would I recommend this?
Yes

My husband, my chihuahua, and I went to First Landing State Park for the first time and wow! We absolutely loved it! Parking in the «trails» section is $ 7 for Virginia residents and definitely well worth it. We took the Bald Cypress trail and the Osmanthus trail – this deviated from the Bald Cypress trail. It is SO SO SO quiet and beautiful and the path was well laid out and easy to follow. Our chihuahua, Selah, had such a wonderful time so it is such a huge plus that dogs are allowed. The man who works at the visitor center was very knowledgable and friendly and recommended which trails to take. Their bathroom was clean and there was not a crowd at all. We went around 2:30 pm on Saturday. I do recommend wearing some bug repellant (like some type of essential oil not the chemical stuff) to keep the bugs away. I didn’t have a problem but my husband was bit several times. Expect to see some beautiful trees, marshy areas, and walk on some beautiful wood bridges built by local eagle scouts. I really recommend everyone come here. We can’t wait to go back and see the other trails and go kayaking!

I’ve been meaning to come to First Landing and explore for a while now… finally last weekend the weather was beautiful and I did it.
Although I’m local I’d never been so I elected to go ahead and pay to park this first time to get the lay of the land. I entered off Shore Drive at the main park entrance for Trails and such and was greeted by the friendly park employee at the entrance — I paid $ 7 (kind’a steep!) to park for the day and she provided me with a map of all the trails and some directions on how to get to the Trail Center.
I easily found it and parked my car — I was worried because the day was really nice that there wouldn’t be any parking but there was plenty so I parked and headed off to the TC to look around.
I didn’t have a lot of time so I knew I was probably going to hike the Bald Cypress Trail — which is the one I’ve been eyeballing for a while. I stopped and asked one of the employees in the TC for my bearing and off I started on the Bald Cypress (BC) trail which is just out back of the TC.
This is a 1.5 mile trail that loops around the cypress swamps that run through this area — it’s beautiful. The day was gorgeous and the trail wasn’t overly crowded — I loved it. There are a few nice spots with benches so you can sit and relax which I did at one point for about a half hour just enjoying the wind in the trees.
As this was my first visit I didn’t really know where I was going on what the hell was going on but I got my bearings after a while and have a better idea of the trails now so on my next visit I might try to park at the other entrance and enter that way. We’ll see. Depending on the trail you plan to walk or bike it might be easier to just pay the $ 7 to park!
I had a fabulous time here and plan to come back much more often this summer to enjoy the trails.

We truly enjoyed the scenic part of the 1.8 miles Bald cypress trail. It was just at the beginning of the trail we admired the Spanish moss and the swamp. The scenery was gorgeous, but our family served as a meal to mosquitos. Due to the heat, we were in tea-​shirts and shorts. I would highly recommend bringing some insect repellent and wearing long light sleeved tops and pants.
The remainder of this trail was a walk in the middle of the forest. The trails were extremely well-​maintained.
Our child was excited to see some small lizards and a butterfly.
The restrooms were clean and had a changing table.
We also walked on the beach side, which was fine.
The parking fee was $ 7 for the day.
The park staff was friendly and knowledgeable.

Man I loved this hike when I was in Virginia Beach visiting my brother for his medical school graduation. It is a very different hike than what I have experienced in California. The hike is very marshy and we did the 2.5mi hike round trip and had a little picnic at the end of it. Luckily we had a dog with us because the dog spotted a black and orange snake on the trail (it made it more exciting).
I would highly recommend it and the hiking trail entrance it less than a mile from the main strip of the actual beach.

I went out for an easy 12 miler here yesterday and for the first time ventured a ways off of the Cape Henry Trail. I didn’t realize what I had been missing! There are way more miles of side trail than I had realized.
The Osmanthus Trail is very woody and secluded. You cross several well-​maintained bridges. I was surprised to find how hilly the Long Creek Trail is. This was not a particularly easy trail to run, especially since there are several sandy spots, but there were some absolutely stunning views of the Broad Bay.
While the Cape Henry Trail is still the longest and easiest trail terrain-​wise, there are some good alternatives that can make for a diverse and scenic hike or run.

This park has greatly exceeded my expectations and made my camping trip so easy and enjoyable!
For starters, the main office is efficient and fully equip you with information to ensure your safety. All campgrounds in my opinion are well maintained along with their trails. I saw so many kids just hanging out and being comfortable with the area probably because the feeling of the campsite is so natural, safe (police and rangers constantly roam the premises) and the location is accessible to most stores like Wal-​Mart, Trader Joe’s and Virginia Beach!
This park also has the end portion of VA beach so you have your own private beach but there aren’t really any waves.
Their campground rates are also pretty cheap considering we had electricity, water and hot showers.

What a sight!
It was so beautiful there. Warm and almost cloudless sky. I saw many swimming dogs, cute kids, shirtless guys with nice muscles, funny bikers, family picnics, etc…
I don’t know how much the parking lot. Maybe $ 5 – 10. I’ve never paid here because I park on a street and walk extra.
Anyway I was so happy and relaxing there. I should do this more when it’s getting warmer.

Came here for my cousins birthday. The shelter was located at the Girl Scout Center. Prior to checking in the rangers, you take the first right, and that’s where we were. Shelters have tables, benches, grill, water spout (to wash your hands/​feet), bonfire area. Playground and bathrooms close by near walking distance. Everyone was having a good time.
Post-​birthday-​cake-​blowout and sugar rushing through the kids, we walked across the road to the beach. This beach is perfect for families. The waves were low barely anything at all, shallow, and not too crowded. People boating, canoeing, paddle boarding, jet skiing farther out. Witnessed a beach wedding which was awesome.
Got back to the shelters after 2 hours of swimming. I decided to scope the park myself. I would advise to bring bug spray, water, and sneakers if you want to explore. From where the shelter was, I ventured off into the nearest trail where the bathrooms were. I believe I was on Long Creek Trail. Paved and smooth for easy strolling. Many bikers, dog walkers, and runners passing by. Doggie poopoo bags provided. I have to come back here next time to run this trail about 4 miles long.
After that, I walked all the way to the Trail Center, whew, next time I’m driving there. I got to check out the Trail Center, has info about the park, bathrooms, and little souvenirs. Went to the Bald Cypress Trail, which is bridge walk through the swampy lakes. Once you get over the murky water, eerie trees, and overall ominous appeal, its quite beautiful.
FLSP is HUGE. I will have to keep coming back to really study the area. Bringing a bike the next time I come. Clean, kept up with, it’s VA nature meets civilization at it’s finest.