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First Landing State Park and the Virginia Beach coast

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On Virginia Beach’s Chesapeake Bay shore, First Landing State Park pairs a beach day with trails through maritime forest, wetlands and cypress swamp. The park’s setting also carries a layered history: it is associated with the 1607 English landing, and its development in the 1930s included the work of African American Civilian Conservation Corps crews. Nearby city parks and beaches offer other ways to experience the coast, from the Oceanfront to quiet natural areas along the Lynnhaven River.[1]

First Landing: forest, trails and Bay shore

First Landing State Park covers 2,888 acres on the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Its landscape includes sandy shoreline, maritime forest, salt marsh, lagoons and fresh-water wetlands. The state park reports about 20 miles of trails, with routes for hiking and some trails open to bicycles; check the official trail guide for route details before setting out.[2][3]

The park’s history is more layered than its name alone suggests. English colonists came ashore near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay in 1607 before traveling on to establish Jamestown; Indigenous people had long lived in and traveled through the region. The park was built in part by an all-African-American Civilian Conservation Corps company in the 1930s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Natural Landmark.[4][5]

Plan your park visit

The park entrance and visitor facilities are at 2500 Shore Drive. The state park’s current visitor information lists day-use hours as 7 a.m. to dusk, and gives separate hours for the park office and Trail Center. Weekend visitation can be heavy; parking capacity may fill, so check the official park page for current hours, notices, fees and access conditions before you go.[6]

The Chesapeake Bay beach is a scenic place to walk or spend time by the water. Swimming is at visitors’ own risk, with no lifeguards; heed posted guidance and check current conditions. Hiking, picnicking and paddling are other options, while overnight stays include campsites, cabins and yurts. Reservations, availability and fees vary, so verify them directly with the park before making plans.[7]

More coastal parks and beaches

First Landing State Park

Choose the state park for a mix of wooded trails, wetlands, camping and Chesapeake Bay shoreline. Check the trail guide and current park notices to plan a route and confirm what is open.

Oceanfront and North End

For a more built-up beach day, the Virginia Beach Boardwalk and nearby Atlantic Avenue beaches put public beach access close to the resort area. The city lists beach-access points and facilities by area; confirm current rules and services before visiting.[8]

Sandbridge and Little Island Park

South of the resort area, Little Island Park combines a public beach with picnic facilities and a fishing pier. The city’s beach page lists available amenities and access information; seasonal operations and fees can change, so check ahead.[9]

Pleasure House Point

This city natural area offers a quieter coastal landscape along the Lynnhaven River. Visitors can walk its trails from dawn to dusk; stay on marked paths and check the city page for current parking and site information.[10]

Choosing a coast

The Chesapeake Bay side at First Landing has a different feel from the open Atlantic shoreline: the park emphasizes natural habitats and trails, while the resort-area beaches sit alongside the Boardwalk and city services. Sandbridge and Little Island Park offer another setting farther south. Virginia Beach’s official beach guide covers Oceanfront, Sandbridge and Chesapeake Bay access, helping visitors match a beach stop to the day they have in mind.[11]


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References

  1. ↑ First Landing State Park, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
  2. ↑ First Landing State Park, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
  3. ↑ First Landing State Park Trail Guide, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
  4. ↑ First Landing State Park, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
  5. ↑ Junior Ranger Booklet, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
  6. ↑ First Landing State Park, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
  7. ↑ First Landing State Park, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
  8. ↑ Our Beaches, City of Virginia Beach, City of Virginia Beach. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
  9. ↑ Our Beaches, City of Virginia Beach, City of Virginia Beach. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
  10. ↑ Pleasure House Point Natural Area, Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation, City of Virginia Beach. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
  11. ↑ Our Beaches, City of Virginia Beach, City of Virginia Beach. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
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