FIRST LANDING STATE PARK
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.
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?s 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.
Day-UseFishingyes
Hiking Trailyes
Picnickingyes
Swimming Beachyes
BoatingLaunch Rampsyes
CampingPrimitiveyes
Water/Electric Sitesyes
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.
Boating: Motorboats and other small craft may be launched from the Narrows boat ramp located at the 64th Street extension in the park?s 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.
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.
First Landing State Park is located near Chesapeake, Hampton and Norfolk
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). 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.
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.
Virginia Beach Fishing Ctr Ltd
200 Winston Salem Ave
Virginia Beach, VA
(757) 491-8000
Long Bay Point Bait & Tackle
2109 W Great Neck Rd # 100
Virginia Beach, VA
(757) 481-7517
Virginia Beach Fishing Pier
1506 Atlantic Ave
Virginia Beach, VA
(757) 428-2333
Oceans East 2 Tackle Shop
5785 Northampton Blvd # 104
Virginia Beach, VA
(757) 464-6544
Lighthouse Tackle
4461 Shore Dr
Virginia Beach, VA
(757) 318-3818
Lynnhaven Inlet Fishing Pier
2350 Starfish Rd
Virginia Beach, VA
(757) 481-7071
Long Point Bay Bait & Tackle
3761 Shore Dr
Virginia Beach, VA
(757) 318-7470
Taylor's Landing Tackle Shop
8180 Shore Dr
Norfolk, VA
(757) 587-5595
Fish Safari
2029 Lynnhaven Pkwy # 550
Virginia Beach, VA
(757) 416-1600
Tidewater Lures Inc
5180 Cleveland St
Virginia Beach, VA
(757) 499-1007
Pioneer Lodge
1428 Southern Blvd
Virginia Beach, VA
(757) 313-0330
William T Lodge
960 Poughkeepsie Ct
Virginia Beach, VA
(757) 425-3307
VSA Resorts: Ocean Sands Resort
580 Lynnhaven Pkwy
Virginia Beach, VA
(757) 631-0744
Hilton Resorts & Conference Center
313 Laskin Rd
Virginia Beach, VA
(757) 213-9000
Gold Keys Resorts
205 25th St
Virginia Beach, VA
(757) 417-0232
Ocean Beach Club Resort
3401 Atlantic Ave
Virginia Beach, VA
(757) 213-0601
From I-64, take Northampton Blvd./U.S. 13 North (Exit 282). Go through eight lights, then turn right at the Shore Drive/U.S. 60 exit (last exit before the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel). Take a right on Shore Drive and go four and a half miles to the park entrance. To reach the Chesapeake Bay Center, park office, camping or cabins, turn left off U.S. Rt. 60 at the stoplight and check in at the contact station. For the Trail Center, picnic area and trails, turn right instead.
We just returned from a week at First Landing State Park. The amenities were many and very well maintained (spotless rest rooms and showers, laundry facilities, great camp store with convenient hours of operation, etc.). Our site was shaded, but not too shaded. It was a great location to stay to visit the Virginia Beach area. We ate at some unique restaurants, and visited the the lighthouses at Fort Story and the waterfront area in Norfolk, just to mention a few. This is a great vacation destination. One of the best things was the easy access to the beach with its view of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.
I am a Virginia Beach resident, but First Landing is our favorite campground! We love it because it is peaceful, has the best beach and the best sunsets in Virginia Beach! We never tire of this Park. 
Share Your First Landing State Park Photos (click here)
