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First Landing State
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State Park Overview:
This park serves as a Virginia Beach Tourism satellite location and has new
displays, three indoor aquariums, restrooms, showers and offers water sports
rentals. It's Virginia's most popular state park attracting more than a million
visitors annually.
Trails:
Hiking, bicycle trails (and bike rentals), self-guided trails. Nine walking
trails total approximately 19 miles. The most popular, the first section of the
Bald Cypress Trail, is one-mile, crosses dunes and ponds and is handicapped
accessible. A brochure for the self-guided tour is available at the Trail
Center. Trail walks are conducted by interpreters throughout the year, and trail
guidebooks are available in the Trail Center. Bicycles allowed on Cape Henry
trail only.
Picnicking:
The picnic area is equipped with drinking water, fire grills, refuse disposal,
tables and restroom facilities. A large picnic shelter is available for rent on
a first-come, first-served basis by calling the Reservation Center at
1-800-933-PARK.
First Landing State Park Picnic Shelter
One shelter is available for rent. It can be rented from 8 a.m. to dusk (all
day), or 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 3 p.m. to dusk (half days). Parking fees are not
included in shelter rental.
Cancellation policy: No refund within 14 days before reserved date. Before then,
there's a cancellation fee.
Amenities: The shelter has six charcoal grills, electricity, picnic tables and
access to restroom (restroom closed November 1 to April 1).
The shelter is in the main picnic area, which is not on the beach side of the
park (on same side of Shore Drive as the Trail Center). The shelter can
accommodate about 80 people under the shelter. Seating for larger groups is
available around the shelter in the main picnic area. The picnic area as a whole
is not reserved and the general public will be permitted to use the other tables
around the shelter.
Other facilities can be rented at the Chesapeake Bay Center.
Boating:
Boating: Motorboats and other small craft may be launched from the Narrows boat
ramp located at the 64th Street extension in the park抯 southern area. Facilities
include the use of launching ramps, parking for cars and boat trailers and
restrooms. No swimming in the Narrows or at boat launch. No motorboat rentals
available, however kayak rentals are available on in-season weekends. From
Memorial Day through Labor Day, a snack bar with bait, ice and fishing supplies
is open.
Swimming:
Swim at your risk in Chesapeake Bay; no lifeguards. For overnight guests only;
pets on leash no longer than six feet are allowed on beach. No swimming in the
Narrows or at boat launch.
In the summer, swimming is free for overnight guests in campsites, cabins and
the lodge, however it cannot be guaranteed should circumstances beyond the
park's control require that swimming be closed. We do not give refunds for
swimming to overnight guests under any circumstances.
Fishing and Hunting:
Fishing and crabbing are popular from the Narrows located between Broad Bay and
Linkhorn Bay. A valid Virginia saltwater fishing license is required. Annual
parking-launching passports are available by calling 1-800-933-PARK, in Richmond
225-3867.
History of the Area:
In 1933, the Commonwealth of Virginia bought the park's more than 2,000 acres
from the Cape Henry Syndicate Inc. for $157,000. The park was built in the early
1930s by mainly African-American CCC workers. It was dedicated June 15, 1936. In
1965 the park抯 natural area was included in the National Register of Natural
Landmarks because of its distinction as the northernmost location on the East
Coast where subtropical and temperate plants grow and thrive together. In 1977,
the park's trail system was designated as part of the U. S. Department of
Interior's National Recreational Trail System. |
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