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First Landing State Park
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First Landing State Park

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First Landing State Park
4.5
1,104 reviews
#5 of 107 things to do in Virginia Beach
State Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Educational sites
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Nature enthusiasts will love this park with 2,700-acres of hiking trails, cypress swamps and nesting grounds for a variety of birds.
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Top ways to experience First Landing State Park and nearby attractions

The area
Address
Neighborhood: Northeast Virginia Beach
Best nearby
Restaurants
68 within 3 miles
Hot Tuna
844
0.9 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Seafood
Tin Cup Kitchen And Oyster Bar
33
0.8 miBar • Seafood • Contemporary
Bay Local
293
1.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub
ShoreBreak Pizza & TapHouse
378
1.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Brew Pub • Pizza
Blue Cow Ice Cream Co.
23
0.9 mi$ • Dessert • American
Margarets Hotdogs
11
0.8 mi$
Number 1 Chinese Restaurant
16
0.8 mi$ • Chinese • Asian
A Bite of Maine
110
1.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Seafood
Surf Rider Restaurant
85
1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Seafood
Citrus Breakfast & Lunch
118
1.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
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Attractions
31 within 6 miles
Tarnished Truth Distilling Co.
852
Distilleries
Cape Henry Lighthouse
1,292
2.7 miHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
King Neptune Statue on the Boardwalk
299
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Neptune's Park
559
Parks
Deadline Brewing Project
6
1.1 miBreweries
Marina Shores Marina
25
1.1 miMarinas
Edgar Cayce's A.R.E. Association for Research and Enlightenment
293
Historic Sites • Libraries
Cape Henry Trail
2
1.2 miBiking Trails
Shore Drive Farm Market
5
1.3 miFarmers Markets
Lnnhaven Fshing Pier
2
1.4 miPiers & Boardwalks
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,104 reviews
Excellent
719
Very good
297
Average
59
Poor
10
Terrible
19
krdev25
Virginia Beach, VA69 contributions
Perfect Park
Jul 2020
There is so much to say about First Landing (AKA Seashore) State Park. You can hike, camp, fish, boat, swim, picnic, run, and bike here. Be sure to plan ahead by visiting their website because you could easily miss many of the amazing opportunities. There are two main entrances to the park. The one on 64th street will take you straight back to the water but you can park just inside the gates and walk the main trail. If you park inside, you'll need to pay the parking fee which right now is $7. If you park outside the gate on 64th street, you can easily walk in and access the trails for free but it would be quite a haul to walk all the way to the water. On beautiful, sunny summer days, if you're looking to access the water, plan to be there early as the line of cars can pile up and the rangers will close access if there are too many people. The second major access is off Shore Drive. The north side takes you to camping sites and the bay. The south side takes you to the ranger station and is the hub to access many wonderful hiking trails. In May and June expect to see snakes on the trail. In July and August the horseflies can be pretty bad but nothing some bug spray can't prevent. If walking or biking in the summer, pack plenty of water. This is a wonderful spot to explore with family, friends, and little ones.
Written July 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cheryl h
Durham, NC57,498 contributions
had one of the best visitors center I've been to
Nov 2019
Our 2nd day in Virginia Beach we decided to go to a visitor center to see what there was to do in other areas (within 40 miles of Virginia Beach) and I'm glad we picked the Visitor Information Center at the First Landing State Park.

They have a small, nice museum inside as well as the 2 nicest people inside. The lady really helped us find other things to do. She also told us about places that were a bit obscure that she thought we might be interested in.

After viewing the museum and gathering enough information to keep us busy for the entire month, we just started chatting with her. The man working there came over and joined our conversation. They were so much fun 30 minutes passed before we realized how long we had been talking.

We then took the boardwalk to the beach. It was an easy, quiet, short scenic walk to the beach. We walked on the beach for about 10 minutes and then we hit the road for the next place we were visiting. There are other visitors centers around but I highly recommend this one.
Written March 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terry P
Virginia Beach, VA44 contributions
Nice safe place to view nature and get some fresh air
Nov 2019 • Solo
I decided to take a bike ride they the park and found it gave me a little workout. I entered the park at the shore Drive entrance. Some very small hills, plenty of trails to ride a regular bike on dirt paths and some paved paths. Good place to walk your pets and show your kids woods, marshes, and tidal water (Long Creek and Broad Bay runs next to it). There is another entrance at Atlantic ave and 64 th street. If you go in that entrance you can go to the end and find a boat ramp that you can launch probably up to a 26’ boat, or fish from the shore. Good place to catch speckled trout, flounder, spot and croaker. I have even seen porpoise swimming by. Also at that beach you can swim but in the summer time the jelly fish get pretty numerous. It does cost $10 to enter unless you have a state park pass. Finally kids live it and they have camping sites and dome cabins.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tiffany S
1 contribution
Poor Nor'Easter storm experience
Oct 2022
I booked a stay here on 10/3/22. We experienced a Nor'Easter storm throughout the day that led to a Coastal Flood Advisory, heavy rain, wind and a beach hazard advisory. Despite all these critical warnings the park remained open. When I arrived for check in, my reservation and possibly 2 to 3 more were the only ones at the park. We checked in and were very excited to stay in a YURT. However, the rain and wind had gotten so strong my boyfriend and I immediately left and went home as we are local. We love the outdoors, but at this time we strongly felt the conditions were unsafe. After several attempts to contact the Richmond office via email I recieved no response. I then called twice and the First Landing State Park Manager Sienna was extremely disheartening and very rude. She was adamit that she was the one in control and since the park remained open she would not assist me with my reservation in any way. Very displeased with the State Park. They are obvisoulsy very money hungry even while putting their guests at harm.
Written October 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judy S
Georgetown, DE9 contributions
only bike path muddy and lots of roots
Sep 2020
Went for the week at Va Beach and chose a home that was easy bike ride to this park. Our first morning, a Sunday, we entered the park early, around 7. There were a good amount of people there running, a group of teenage or college girls, fortunately we got on the path before they did. We were so looking forward to a 6 mile ride through the woods and back, but we spent the entire time dodging wet muddy sections and some roots. We made it about a mile and a half down the path and turned around because it was such an obstacle course. We could handle the hikers and runners but the roots and mud was too much. At one point I almost fell off because I was trying to dodge a large mud puddle and hit a root. This might be for the more adventurous biker than us. We did enjoy riding from our rental down to the bike path that runs next to the cement "boardwalk." That was a plus, so we got in a 11 mile ride 2 of the 5 days were there. The park was disappointing for this bike rider. Delaware has some awesome bike trails in their parks, we were hoping for the same :(
Written September 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brandon E
Forest, VA247 contributions
Paradise Within the Madness
Aug 2020
First Landing offers a bit of solace within one of the most densely populated areas in Virginia. It was great to unwind on some of the trails surrounded by cypress trees and swamps all while listening to nature instead of car noises. I would definitely recommend bringing a bike to truly experience all that the park has to offer and if time allows, visit the 64 St. entrance to drive to Broad Bay.
Written September 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katty W
Houston, TX124 contributions
Beautiful hiking sport
Jul 2020
We heading to the State park for a quick walk after lunch, before heading to the beach. Trails are SUPER well marked and beautiful! It was very quiet (though the frogs made themselves heard). Great trails. We ended up walking 6.5 miles of trails. I recommend the Cape Henry to Kingfisher to Fox Run (just realize the Fox Run trail head is on the road). Beautiful and you get a little bit of all the landscapes, forested, beach, and hills). Can't wait to come back to camp.
Written July 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Table42
Clifton Park, NY325 contributions
Awesome beach alternative
Feb 2020
Highly recommend visiting this park bisected by Rte 60 (Shore Drive). The bay side has beach access and views of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, but our group opted for the opposite side of the street, trail side. We hiked the Bald Cypress and Osmanthus Trails. Despite being located in marshy areas, the thoughtfully placed boardwalks and bridges kept us dry. It was a great, low-cost group activity. Can use the drop boxes located at the parking lot to pay the nominal day use fee, or pay at the visitor center and pick up a trail map. Clean restrooms are located at the visitor's centers as well.
Nearby, there are nice places for a drink or a meal overlooking Lynnhaven Inlet off Rte 60 (we went to Dockside).
There is an additional trailhead access from Atlantic Ave and 64th St to the Cape Henry Trail.
Written March 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catskillstream
Palenville, NY40 contributions
Beautiful Place Helicopters and gunfire a problem
Oct 2021
This is one of the most beautiful beach vacations I've ever been on..

Except, There is a military base that abuts the park. for the past 4 nights they have been having maneuvers or training or whatever. This includes hours (like 5 to 8 hours) of helicopters flying very very low over the campground. Tonight's festivities include shooting, like lots and lots and many, many thousands of rounds of shooting. (We are of course hoping it's all blanks.)

I really think our military needs great training.

The state of Virginia really, really needs to be clear on their web page about the gunfire and helicopter thing. It's not OK to inflict on visitors without serious warnings.

BTW - as we dined out, walked the boardwalk, shopped, and did sight seeing we were barraged by an amount of flight related engine noise that was on par with being at the end of the runway at JFK.

Really, think it through how much noise you think you can take, then divide by 2 , then divide by 2 again. That's how many days you'll be OK in this setting.
Written October 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christopher R
Ruckersville, VA183 contributions
Fantastic beach for children or those that don't like waves
Jul 2021 • Family
This is an amazing beach that I've never heard of until recently. This is THE beach to go to if you have young children or you don't like large waves. The water is really calm and the same is fairly clean. The water at First Landing does have a bit more seaweed floating around than at the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, but it's not overwhelming. Parking is only $7 compared to $20 or more for all day parking at the Virginia Beach Boardwalk. I was amazed at how beautiful this location is, especially from the top of the walkway that leads over the dunes and to the beach. From what I saw, everything is wheelchair accessible right up to the sand.
Written July 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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