(757) 426-7128
4001 Sandpiper RoadVirginia Beach, VA 23456
Latitude: 36.593813
Longitude: -75.886521
False Cape State Park is located in the Southeast corner of Virginia Beach and consists of a narrow strip of land that runs from North to South between the Atlantic Ocean and Back Bay. Despite being in the states largest city, it is one of the most remote state parks because one cannot access it by car. Those who wish to visit must drive to Back Bay National wildlife refuge or Little Island City Park, both located to the North, and then they can walk, bike, or ride a tram into False Cape. Both of the above parks require a parking fee and the wildlife refuge requires an entrance fee as well, depending on the time of year. False Cape can also be accessed by boat as there are several docks along the bay side of the park. False Cape is rich in history and had been inhabited for centuries before it became a park in 1980. Also in False Cape was the farming community of Wash Woods. Between the 1880s and the 1920s this community boasted 300 people but shifting sands and hurricanes prompeted most of the people to leave in the 20s and 30s.
Outdoor Recreation Award for: Amazing Spots, Hiking, Scenic Views
Check Availability or Make A Reservation
Back Bay Wildlife Refuge
The Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is the main gateway to False Cape State Park. Visitors who plan to hike or bicycle from the parking areas near the Little Island Life Saving Station may access the trail near the Refuge Office. The trail is a wide, three mile gravel road, that passes through a controlled wetlands and into the state park. The route along the top of the dike system changes seasonally so watch for directional information. The trail leads to the Visitor Center and access to the park’s network of trails. This is a good area for spotting songbirds, migratory waterfowl and freshwater turtles.
- Length: 3.3
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Natural, Gravel
Barbour Hill Interpretive Trail
The Barbour Hill Interpretive Trail is a 2.19 mile, moderate difficulty trail for hiking and biking that passes through areas of shrub oak and pine trees. The trail is an extension of the Barbour Hill Trail and another mile of trail that runs north-south near campsites 1 through 3 and provides an alternate route out of the park to the north. This trail provides access to the Barbour Hill Boat Dock which is the launching point for guided interpretive kayaking programs. Please look at the events and programs schedule for more information.
Blaze Color: Purple
|
- Length: 2.19
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Sand, Grass
Barbour Hill Trail
The Barbour Hill Trail is the northernmost of three trails in the park that connect the Back Bay on the west side of the park, to the beach on the Atlantic Ocean side of the park. An easy 1.4 mile trail for hiking and biking, it is accessible from the main False Cape entrance trail, the Barbour Hill Interpretive Trail, the False Cape Interior Trail, and from the northern part of the beach near campsites four through six. This trail passes by the Visitor Center and, before the park’s establishment, was once used as a small landing strip by local hunt clubs.
Blaze Color: Gold
- Length: 1.4
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Sand, Gravel
Cemetery Trail
The Cemetery Trail is a .65 mile, moderate difficulty trail, that is accessible from the same beach access as the Wash Woods Interpretive Trail and from the Interior Trail. This trail makes a particularly sandy crossing over the dunes and across the Interior Trail. The trail is named for the cemetery and former church site through which it passes. The Wash Woods Methodist Church was abandoned in 1922 and succumbed to the migrating dunes and Atlantic storms that have virtually wiped away the former community of Wash Woods. Today, all that remains is part of the steeple and the nearby graveyard. One can see that all of the graves are positioned with the head pointed towards the west, in tune with the strong Christian tradition.
Blaze Color: Blue
- Length: 0.65
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Sand, Grass
Dudley Island Trail
The Dudley Island Trail is a .6 mile, easy trail, accessible from the Interior Trail. This trail leads to the site of one of the many hunt clubs that used to be in this area. All that remains is the small caretaker’s house that was adjacent to the club. At the end of the trail there is a small loop around an area of tall grasses where the hunt club used to stand.
Blaze Color: Brown
- Length: 0.6
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Sand, Grass
False Cape Interior Trail
The False Cape Interior Trail is a 7.09 mile, easy trail, that runs almost the entire length of the park. Its northernmost access point is near the Visitor’s Center at the intersection with the Barbour Hill Trail. The trail provides access to nearly all other trails in the park. At the southern end of the trail, hikers may access the Monument Trail and the trail head at the North Carolina border. This trail is open to hikers and bicyclists though bicycle riders should watch for loose and shifting sand as most bikes will have to be walked through these areas. When hiking the park’s trails watch for wild ponies and feral pigs which should not be approached or fed as they can be aggressive.
Blaze Color: Green
- Length: 7.09
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Sand, Gravel
False Cape Landing Trail
The False Cape Landing Trail is a .7 mile, moderate difficulty trail, that is accessible from the Interior Trail, the False Cape Landing Boat Dock, and from the beach access point at its eastern end. The trail is one of three trails in the park that connect the Back Bay on the west side of the park, to the beach on the Atlantic Ocean side of the park. It is also the shortest of these spanning trails and the most centrally located in the park, making it popular for boaters and surfers wishing to access the beach. The trail passes by the group camp area (sites 10-12) and takes users over the sand dunes to the ocean.
Blaze Color: Gray