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On Virginia Beach’s Chesapeake Bay shore, First Landing State Park pairs miles of wooded trails and bayfront with a history tied to the 1607 arrival of English colonists. Nearby Cape Henry Memorial marks the approximate landing place, but it is inside Fort Story, so access is subject to military-base entry requirements and possible closures. Check the park and memorial’s official visitor information before setting out.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/first-landing
|title=First Landing State Park
|website=Virginia State Parks
|publisher=Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
|access-date=2026-10-25
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.nps.gov/came/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm
|title=Basic Information: Cape Henry Memorial
|website=National Park Service
|publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior
|access-date=2026-10-25
}}</ref>
</div>

== The park and the landing ==
First Landing State Park stretches along the Chesapeake Bay in [[Virginia Beach, Virginia]]. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation describes it as a 2,888-acre park with 1.5 miles of bay beach. Its landscape includes coastal forest, dunes, wetlands and shoreline, offering a quieter, trail-centered counterpoint to the city’s oceanfront. <ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/first-landing
|title=First Landing State Park
|website=Virginia State Parks
|publisher=Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
|access-date=2026-10-25
}}</ref>

The park takes its name from the English colonists who came ashore at Cape Henry in 1607 before going on to establish [[Jamestown]]. The NPS identifies Cape Henry Memorial as the approximate landing site. The memorial is a separate site from the state park, within the Fort Story military installation. <ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/first-landing
|title=First Landing State Park
|website=Virginia State Parks
|publisher=Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
|access-date=2026-10-25
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.nps.gov/came/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm
|title=Basic Information: Cape Henry Memorial
|website=National Park Service
|publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior
|access-date=2026-10-25
}}</ref>

The park also has a more recent history: Virginia acquired the land in 1933, and the park was developed in the 1930s by mainly African-American Civilian Conservation Corps workers. It was dedicated in 1936 and was formerly known as Seashore State Park. <ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/first-landing
|title=First Landing State Park
|website=Virginia State Parks
|publisher=Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
|access-date=2026-10-25
}}</ref>

== Trails, beach and water ==
The park’s ten trails total about 20 miles, with routes through different coastal habitats. The Cape Henry Trail is a long hiking and biking route; bicycles are allowed only on Cape Henry and Live Oak trails. The park’s official trail guide lists individual route distances and difficulty, so consult the current map to choose a suitable walk or ride. <ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/first-landing
|title=First Landing State Park
|website=Virginia State Parks
|publisher=Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
|access-date=2026-10-25
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/document/data/trail-guide-firstlanding.pdf
|title=First Landing State Park Trail Guide
|website=Virginia State Parks
|publisher=Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
|access-date=2026-10-25
}}</ref>

The bay beach is a place to stroll, pause by the water or take in the shoreline. Swimming is at visitors’ own risk; the park says there are no lifeguards. It also cautions against swimming at the Narrows and boat launch, where currents are strong and there are no designated swimming areas. <ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/first-landing
|title=First Landing State Park
|website=Virginia State Parks
|publisher=Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
|access-date=2026-10-25
}}</ref>

Fishing, crabbing and boating are among the park’s water-based activities. A boat ramp is located at the Narrows near the 64th Street extension; check the park’s current guidance for fishing-license requirements, launch details and any changes before visiting. <ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/first-landing
|title=First Landing State Park
|website=Virginia State Parks
|publisher=Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
|access-date=2026-10-25
}}</ref>

== Cape Henry Memorial ==
The Cape Henry Memorial is a small National Park Service site on a dune above the Atlantic, commemorating the approximate place where the colonists first landed in Virginia. The NPS describes a walkway to the dune-top overlook, with views toward the ocean and the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. The site has no visitor center or services. <ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.nps.gov/came/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm
|title=Basic Information: Cape Henry Memorial
|website=National Park Service
|publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior
|access-date=2026-10-25
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.nps.gov/colo/planyourvisit/index.htm
|title=Plan Your Visit: Colonial National Historical Park
|website=National Park Service
|publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior
|access-date=2026-10-25
}}</ref>

The memorial is within Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek–Fort Story, not within the public state park. NPS visitor information says access is limited to people authorized to enter the base; other visitors must pass a checkpoint inspection. The NPS also warns that security conditions can lead to closures. Confirm current entry procedures and operating information directly with official sources before planning a visit. <ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.nps.gov/came/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm
|title=Basic Information: Cape Henry Memorial
|website=National Park Service
|publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior
|access-date=2026-10-25
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.nps.gov/came/planyourvisit/hours.htm
|title=Operating Hours and Seasons: Cape Henry Memorial
|website=National Park Service
|publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior
|access-date=2026-10-25
}}</ref>

The nearby [[Cape Henry Lighthouse]] is a separate historic attraction. Do not assume that a visit to the state park provides access to either the memorial or lighthouse; check their respective visitor guidance.

== Planning a visit ==
The park’s main address is 2500 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach. Day-use areas are listed as open from 7 a.m. to dusk, but hours, fees, facilities and conditions can change. Check the official park page before traveling, especially if you are planning an overnight stay or a specific activity. <ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/first-landing
|title=First Landing State Park
|website=Virginia State Parks
|publisher=Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
|access-date=2026-10-25
}}</ref>

Accessibility varies by location and surface. DCR lists accessible facilities in parts of the park, including an accessible section of the Cape Henry Trail and beach access mats behind the visitor center. Contact the park for current details, equipment availability and assistance suited to your visit. <ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/first-landing
|title=First Landing State Park
|website=Virginia State Parks
|publisher=Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
|access-date=2026-10-25
}}</ref>

== Nearby ==
The park is in [[Virginia Beach, Virginia]], within [[Hampton Roads]]. The Virginia Beach oceanfront and other regional attractions are a separate drive from the park’s trail and bayfront areas. For another nearby historic destination, see [[Cape Henry Lighthouse]].

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== References ==
<references />

== External links ==
* [https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/first-landing First Landing State Park — Virginia State Parks]
* [https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/document/data/trail-guide-firstlanding.pdf First Landing State Park Trail Guide — Virginia State Parks]
* [https://www.nps.gov/came/index.htm Cape Henry Memorial — National Park Service]
* [https://www.nps.gov/came/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm Cape Henry Memorial visitor information — National Park Service]
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[[Category:Virginia history]]

First Landing State Park and Cape Henry - Revision history

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