(757) 412-2300
2500 Shore DriveVirginia Beach, VA 23451
Latitude: 36.918020
Longitude: -76.051547
Originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, First Landing State Park is located on the Chesapeake Bay. The park’s name was changed in 1997 from Seashore State Park to First Landing State Park to reflect its heritage as the first place where members of the Virginia Company landed. The park features beach, back dunes, upland forest, tidal marsh, and cypress swamp, and contains contains one of the most endangered habitat types in the world, the maritime forest community. To protect this unique and valuable resource, please remember to stay on the trails and use only designated recreation areas.
Outdoor Recreation Award for: Amazing Spots, Bird Watching, Educational & Historical Facilities, Hiking, Kid Friendly, Park Benches, Unique Cabins
Bald Cypress Trail
Our most popular trail offers a close look at bald cypress trees and knees along with cypress swamp habitat. Boardwalks and observation decks provide unique areas to watch and listen for frogs, woodpeckers and turtles. The Bald Cypress Trail is 1.5 miles in length but can be shortened by returning to the Visitor Center on Cape Henry Trail. The terrain is mostly level with a few uphill climbs on beautifully forested dunes. This is a self-guided interpretative trail with a booklet that describes points of interest and discusses the natural history of First Landing/Seashores’s Natural Area. The booklet is available in the Visitor Center for a small fee.
Blaze Color: Red
- Length: 1.5
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth, Raised Boardwalks
Cape Henry Trail
The Cape Henry Trail has a little something for everyone. It passes through bald cypress swamps, crosses 64th street, and continues through an old dune area. Hikers and bikers along this trail will pass over a wooden bridge spanning a salt marsh. Be sure to look for the osprey nests that can be viewed from the bridge benches. The trail ends at the Narrows where there is a small beach (no swimming), a boat launch, restrooms and vending machines.
Blaze Color: Dk. Green
- Length: 6.3
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Earth, Raised Boardwalks
Fox Run Trail
Fox Run Trail is a connector to Long Creek Trail, Bald Cypress and the main park road. Named after the grey foxes which live there but are rarely seen, Fox Run is an excellent trail for bird watchers. Look for the parula and prothonotary warblers flying among the branches of the loblolly pines and American beeches.
Blaze Color: Yellow
- Length: 0.3
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Earth
High Dune Trail
A short 1/4 mile trail takes you up and over a maritime forest dune ridge. From the top of the High Dune, hikers can see the beautiful lowland areas and mysterious cypress pools. The trail can be reached from Cape Henry Trail or the second leg of Bald Cypress Trail.
Blaze Color: Lt. Yellow
- Length: 0.25
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth, Some Steps
Kingfisher Trail
A short 0.6 mile connecting trail between Cape Henry and Long Creek trails, King Fisher is not as heavily traveled as other trails. The trail provides a higher, drier area to hike. Large American beech trees are abundant and offer plenty of shade.
Blaze Color: White
- Length: 0.5
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Earth
Long Creek Trail
Our longest trail (5 miles one way), Long Creek starts at the main park road and continues on to Broad Bay. Along the way you will pass through some of the salt marshes of First Landing/Seashore. Be sure and take binoculars to watch for great blue herons and egrets wading among the marsh grasses. As the trail passes White Hill Lake, stop for a good look at the osprey nests. The spring and summer are the best time to observe these nests.
Blaze Color: Orange
- Length: 5
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth
Osmanthus Trail
The Osmanthus Trail is 3.1 miles long and can be accessed from the Bald Cypress Trail located behind the Trail Center. This lowland trail is a little wetter than most of our other trails and is open only to hikers. This trail is named after the osmanthus or wild olive tree and is home to a variety of ferns.
Blaze Color: Blue
- Length: 2.5
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth, Raised Boardwalks
Osprey Trail
Because it runs along Broad Bay, Osprey Trail floods at high tide. Serene cypress swamps and beautiful views of the bay are all part of this trail which can be reached from Long Creek Trail on the main park road. The area is easily damaged, so please — stay on the trial.