Throughout the "hot" dog days of summer, the Friends of False Cape will be hosting fund raising events at the False Cape Visitor Center. Multiple primitive campsites are organized into four locations: Barbour Hill Bay Side, Barbour Hill Ocean Side, False Cape Bay Side, and False Cape Ocean Side. Park of the Month False Cape - Primitive Coastal Camping Located in southern Virginia Beach, False Cape State Park is a mile-wide barrier spit between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The colors are spectacular and it seems to last forever. Keep in mind that only experienced boaters that are already familiar with the vast and rugged coastline of Back Bay should attempt to access the park by boat. That means that you cannot burn charcoal or firewood. James River State Park Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Parking Lot When Oct. 29, 2021. #3: Sandy Point Trail: From the visitor center, take the Barbour Hill Trail west to the Sandy Point Trail to enjoy relaxing bayside views (less than 2 miles). If only because they are a shorter walk or pedal from Little Island City Park. These can make nice stops, but not all are well-maintained. Posted May 3, 2017| Updated January 16, 2019. Grab two and place them on either side of your tent (north and south) so your tent can be seen in the dark. Day use only parking also is available at Back Bay Wildlife Refuge. Email: No vehicular access. If youre arriving on a holiday, there is a designated time when rangers open the gates. Campsite Reservations; Campgrounds. This campground is closed for the season from April 9, 2023 through April 4, 2024. Remember, Virginia State Parks practices Leave No Trace principles. We can help! One letter must be left on the dashboard of their car in Little Island Park, the other must be clipped to the campsite marker. 6. The Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, next to the park, operates a tram (April 1 October 31) that travels through the refuge and into the parks Balfour Hill area and Wash Woods historic site. Twin Lakes State Park There are no designated swimming areas along the 6 miles of coastline within False Cape State Park. Soft sand on the trail and beach makes walking difficult. Park Of The Month False Cape Primitive Coastal Camping, Park of the Month False Cape - Primitive Coastal Camping, Park of the Month False Cape - Primitive Coastal Camping - State Parks Blogs, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. False Cape State Park is 3,844 acres and offers5.9 miles of beachfront, extending to North Carolina line. Cost: $8/Per Person. Both freshwater and saltwater fishing can be found at False Cape State Park. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen and insect repellent. Its a scenic ride through the wetlands. Bring your own water containers. Keep the other copy of the confirmation letter with you. Both lead to entrances, and only one is open at a time. #4: South Inlet Trail: Take the Sand Ridge Trail to the South Inlet Trail to reach an observation point and peaceful bayside views (less than 2 miles). Breaks Interstate State Park But, before you make a reservation, you need to know which campground to choose. Thats by spending the night in a camp site at one of four primitive campgrounds in the state park. The park has a visitor center with exhibits, flush toilets and a gift shop. Also, consider that it would be the most northern area of the Outer Banks and could be quite a drive. For . You can book your reservation by calling 1-800-933-PARK. In order to camp at False Cape State Park, you have to park your carat Little Island State Park and hike or bike 6 miles just to get to the park entrance. Avisit to this unique Virginia State Park may not be for everyone, read on, or maybe justa click on the videobelow will providea better explanation. Get reservations at sold-out campgrounds. Call the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at 1-800-933-PARK to book your camping reservation. Check your gear. The tram gives visitors a chance to explore the park's Barbour Hill area and Wash Woods historic site.Trail accessFor day-use visitors, parking is available at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge visitor center parking lot. To get to False Cape, you must park at Little Island Recreation Area (with a permit) and walk five miles. Most people park at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge (entrance fee applies April 1 - October 31). All Tram Tours require a reservation. York River State Park, About Americas State Parks | Contact Us | Americas State Parks Blog. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 2. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Camping at False Cape State Park: Reservations are required. Reservations for primitive campsites MUST be made by calling 1-800-933-PARK (No same day reservations) Map. Bring an extra rope to act as a clothesline if you do get caught in a downpour. Use the bag poles at each campsite and hang your food bags high enough so that animals can't get into your food supplies. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". From Interstate 64, exit on to Indian River Road East. Visitors must follow refuge and False Cape State Park rules and regulations. Have a notepad handy when you call since the reservation counselor will go over some of the camping regulations. Fishing and Boating Freshwater and saltwater fishing are permitted at False Cape State Park with a valid Virginia fishing license. We need photos of this campground! Theres a mens and womens privy which is interesting. Your email address will not be published. Pack your trash out and leave no trace. In the fall, use the West Dike Trail. For real, the only way to go is to see this park on two wheels. Smith Mountain Lake State Park 10. Make sure you read through all of the rules for Little Island City Park, Back Bay Wildlife Refuge, and False Cape State Park, including any fees and dates they may apply. People wishing to camp must make reservations in advance and make sure that they bring two copies of their confirmation letter when they camp. Overnight parking is not allowed at the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. A Weekend Camping at False Cape State Park, Virginia This unique park - among Virginia's least visited state parks - is primitive and has few facilities. The park does not allow open flames (a campfire), but you can use a stove and fuel to cook. And, if youre lucky you may see a sea turtle, swan or a dolphin. False Cape State Park includes hiking and biking trails, a visitors' center, environmental educational and primitive camping facilities. Located in southern Virginia Beach, False Cape State Park is a mile-wide barrier spit between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Book campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, and glamping, or find free camping. Tram seating is first-come, first-served. The refuge provides public education and guided tours through its diverse habitats. Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. You can also make it to the park on a bike and it's a great place to go bikepacking as well. There are a dozen campsites on the peninsula, each requiring reservations through the State Park Reservation Office. Next, turn right onto Sandpiper Road to Little Island City Park. Nice isolation, wonderful clean beach, have to hike or bike minimally 4mi from Back Bay NWR to get to the park. Kayakers could pull right up to the small dock and camp here. Read through the packet thoroughly and follow the instructions. False Cape State Park Campsite Overview Barbour Hill Ocean Campsites Legend Barbour Hill Trail - Potable Water - Pit Toilet - Sun Shelter - Campsite Barbour Hill Bay Campsites Barbour Hill Trail - Potable Water - Pit Toilet - Campsite False Cape Landing Ocean Campsites False Cape Landing Trail - Non-Potable Water (Do not drink) Needless to say, if youre staying at a False Cape site, stop and top up water before you head in. No vehicular access. We can help! Access is through the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and is limited to hiking, bicycling or boating. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Pack out your trash. The community thrived for quite a few years but was eventually abandoned around 1930 after too many heavy storms made it impossible for them to continue living off the land. Please be nice. Those hiking to the park through *Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge must be out of the refuge by dusk. No cabins. Its a very easy hike on a flat gravel trail. Note, however, that this address is for the pay station to enter Back Bay. This unique park allows visitors to take a step back in time. False Cape State Park has 15 miles of trails that wind along the beach, through the freshwater marsh, maritime forest, sand dunes and past historical site markers. Its as if the sun is rising just for you. The TRAM tour provides access to False Cape State Park with a unique opportunity to view and learn about the array of wildlife found in the area, from mammals to birds to reptiles. Similar to instructions for walking into the park, pedal along the East Dike Trail or West Dike Trail, depending on the time of year. Before you plan your trip, youll want to be aware that there is no car camping at False Cape State Park. There aredrinking water spigots at the Visitor Center and near the camp sites. It does not store any personal data. Back Bay has East Dike and West Dike trails that lead to False Cape State Park. Terra-Gator trips require a minimum of 10 people (it's quite expensive to run that behemoth). Had there been a few people around, I may have considered going in further. Click here fordetails on camping at False Cape State Park. The park does not offer same-day reservations. The False Cape campsites are further down as you walk towards the North Carolina border and do not have water pumps. Campgrounds are clean, fair amount of bugs so bring spray, multiple drinking water locations around Barbour. From April through September, pets can only enter by boat. Remember, Virginia State Parks practices Leave No Trace principles. With it's abundant beauty,Atlantic Ocean access, seagrass covered sand dunes and teeming wildlife not found at our other state parks, it really is a Virginia gem. Around here, we try to be helpful, inclusive, and constructive. Carefully read through all of the information ahead of time. On your departure day, you will have to do the reverse hike or bike trip out of the park so be sure to conserve your energy or book an extra day so you can hike or bike out when you are rested and ready for the workout. Same-day reservations aren't taken for False Cape. I was looking to stretch my wings and find some new places to explore. If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov. Instead, you must park at Little Island City Park on Sandpiper Road. Camping is permitted year-round with reservations. Go 13 miles, then turn left onto Newbridge Road, then right onto Sandbridge Road. There aredrinking water spigots at the Visitor Center and near the camp sites. Please contact False Cape State Park at (757)426-7128 for the current tram tour schedule and to make a reservation. Highly recommend. Kyle Barber: You have to get a reservation. We'll text you when a suitable spot opens up! If you time it right, and set out or return at low tide, you can bike on a hard-packed sand beach, all the way to North Carolina, too. The area is remote with limited access. False Cape State Park: Bike, Hike & Camp in Virginia Beach Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset. You will also see the remains of a church steeple (now enclosed). Pit toilets are also available for your comfort. You cannot book a camp site online. If the entrance gate is manned, there is a fee of $2 per person to hike through Back Bay. Bugs are also an issue. The park offers an opportunity to experience nature in a unique, primitive setting. Campsites at the park are in four distinct areas - Barbour Hill Bay, Barbour Hill Ocean, False Cape Landing Bay and False Cape Landing Ocean - which are separated by significant distances. New River Trail State Park. And, the refuge provides public trails and a tram for access into False Cape State Park between April 1 and October 31. You can park your bike and walk on select trails, like the Cemetery Trail. Wear appropriate footwear. Marine debris and trash are a serious problem for marine life and shore birds. Many campers cancel reservations. False Cape State Park offers year round primitive tent-only camping for guests wanting to spend the night inside of this secluded area. Privacy Policy|Disclosure|Sitemap The absolute best way to explore this state park is on two wheels. Shot Tower State Park But not everyone appreciates "certainwildlife" found at this park, nor the pre-planning involved to make the trip in, since there is no public vehicular access allowed. No cabins. The most impressive stretch of the Sand Ridge Trail is between Pintail Overlook and Wood Duck Overlook. Its much easier to walk it at low tide or when the high tide has just gone out. Im sure there are awesome places to camp near you . False Cape State Park Camping. Its less than a five-minute walk to the beach. However, overnight parking is available at Little Island City Park which is about 40 minutes away from the park. Sometimes we make mistakes. The park is long and narrow. But you can bring a propane stove or sterno to heat water and cook food. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Following your two-wheeled explorations, exit the park to return to Back Bay. Well notify you (via SMS) when a suitable spot opens up at that campgroundso you can nab that sold-out campsite reservation! The Camping: Four camping areas are available for tenters - two along the bay side of False Cape and two on the Atlantic side of the peninsula. It is available for student groups for environmental education purposes. Erin Gifford is the editor of Go Hike Virginia. Deer, opossum, raccoons, coyotes and other creatures hide during the hot, humid summer months but can be observed during the cooler months. Parking fees required Memorial Day to Labor Day. I've been living in North Carolina since 2007 and love getting out to explore the area. We call that your permit. First Landing State Park Additional Info. During peak season from early-June through Labor Day the tram runs on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Wear hiking boots when on the trails. Its a barrier spit approximately If youve not yet been to False Cape State Park in Virginia Beach, let me let you in on a little secret. Its also the easiest section to reach with the least amount of hiking. Use the fields below to create a notification alert. Throughout the year, False Cape features guided kayak trips, primitive camping, interpretive programs, hiking and biking trails, and six miles of pristine Atlantic Ocean beach. Start a walking or biking and practice walking or biking with your backpack. Drinking water is available in three locations. Just get out there! False Cape State Park Camping | The Dyrt Pack clothing to be layered, for protection from the sun, and for protection from biting insects. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Friends of False Cape Fundraiser - Department of Conservation and For information regarding reservations, contact this campground directly. You can hike any of the following trails in this window: #1: Marsh Ridge Trail: This is the gravel road you came in on on the tram. PDF False Cape State Park Campsite Overview - Department of Conservation It is usually open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. No fire rings. Beach transporter operation dates: Nov. 1 - Mar. These rules are specific to False Cape State Park. #2: Barbour Hill Trail: From the visitor center, walk east on a .7-mile gravel trail (one-way) that turns into sand. You can, however, use a portable stove for cooking. Little Island City Park is roughly 1.5 miles from Back Bay. All four campgrounds have a potable water spigot, as well as a male and female privy. Leesylvania State Park Depending on the time of year, the entrance may not be manned. Day use only parking also is available at Back Bay Wildlife Refuge, 4001 Sandpiper RdVirginia Beach, VA 23457. False Cape State Park is a nature enthusiast's playground, with wildlife sighting and photography opportunities at every turn. When arriving through Back Bay be aware that you must be out of the refuge before sunset so give yourself enough travel time. Reservations. People wishing to camp must make reservations in advance and make sure that they bring two copies of their confirmation letter when they camp. Only one of those trails is open at a time. In my opinion, the Barbour Hill camp sites are the best, both ocean side and bay side. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These 5 trails are open year round for pedestrians and cyclists. False Cape State Park - Department of Conservation and Recreation Both of these trails are flat, gravel paths suitable for beach cruisers and mountain bikes. Bring an extra bike inner tube and small bike tool kit.If you forget something, the camp store inside the Visitor Center has a variety of snacks, gear, first aid supplies, and clothing. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. False Cape State Park Camping - CampingProClub.com Renting a bike and cycling through Back Bay and False Cape is a common activity for tourists and locals. Have a notepad handy when you call since the reservation counselor will go over some of the camping regulations.