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Trail Guide for First Landing State Park (SP) in Virginia. Published by Virginia State Parks.
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To make your visit safe and pleasant, we ask that you
observe the following:
mar any plants or trees. Collecting animal or plant life is
allowed only for scientific purposes by permit from the
Richmond headquarters. Don’t feed any wild animals.
BALD CYPRESS - 1.8 miles, red blaze, .The trail is
one of the park’s more popular hiking treks and features
boardwalk scenic swamp overviews. It starts at the
Trail Center and intersects many other trails as it winds
in an oblong shape through bald cypress swamps. The
numbered and lettered posts along this trail correspond
to a self-guided tour booklet available in the Trail Center
for 50 cents.
ALCOHOL - State law permits alcohol use only in private
CAPE HENRY
Take only pictures, leave only footprints.
PRESERVE - Help preserve your park. Please don’t cut or
areas (inside your cabin or camping unit) or in areas
designated on permits issued by the Virginia Department
of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
PETS - Pets are permitted in enclosed areas or on a leash
no longer than 6 feet. Please clean up after your pet. Pets
may not be left unattended at any time.
LITTER - Please help us keep the park clean by placing
litter and recyclables in the proper receptacles and recycle
centers or carrying out your trash.
CAMPING - Camping is allowed only in designated
campgrounds and only after following the proper checkin procedure described in the Reservation and Fees Guide
available at the park office.
FISHING - Where fishing is permitted, a Virginia saltwater
fishing license is required.
PARKING - Park only in designated areas.
TRAIL SAFETY - Come prepared to hike or bike. Hike with
a buddy, dress for the weather and stay hydrated. Hikers
should be cautious of bikers.
EMERGENCY - In case of emergency, call 911. For nonemergency assistance, phone numbers are posted at
contact stations and other locations throughout the park.
INFORMATION - For more information on Virginia State
Parks or to make a cabin or campsite reservation, call
800-933-PARK (7275) or visit www.virginiastateparks.
gov. The Customer Service Center is open Monday through
Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on all state holidays.
TRAIL INFORMATION
DIFFICULTY SCALE
EASY
- From .5 to 1 mile; grades are short, typically
fewer than 100 feet and less than 10 percent of
the trail length; easily accomplished by all users,
including the elderly and those with physical or
mental disabilities, with little risk of injury or fatigue.
MODERATE
- From 1 to 5 miles; steepness and grade
lengths vary; at least 60 percent of the length is fairly
flat; healthy people can accomplish the trail with
little risk of injury or fatigue.
- 6.1 miles, dark green blaze,
. One of
the most popular trails, it is a favorite of hikers and
bikers so hikers should be aware of bicycles and stay to
the right. This trail is wide, flat and easily accessible. It
stretches from the park boundary near the picnic area to the
64th Street Narrows. The long stretch of trail from the Trail
Center to 64th Street boasts dense forests and occasional
swamps. Once users round the corner at 64th Street, they
are afforded peaceful views along Lake Susan Constant as
well as of expansive salt marshes.
FOX RUN - 0.3 miles, yellow blaze, .This trail has
one trailhead along Cypress Swamp Drive and another
connecting with Long Creek Trail. Users may also hop
onto Fox Run from the Bald Cypress Trail by going up
a few steps where they meet. The terrain is mostly flat;
the ground is packed sand and dirt with small patches
of beach-like sandy areas. Trail users often see and hear
snakes, reptiles, and woodpeckers and other birds.
HIGH DUNE - 0.3 miles, light yellow blaze, . The
highest point of this short trail is a great spot to see and
hear woodpeckers. The trail goes over and through an
ancient dune ridge.
KINGFISHER
OSMANTHUS - 2.5 miles, blue blaze, .Those wanting
a secluded trail for hiking or running often pick Osmanthus
Trail, which loops off of Bald Cypress Trail. It has a few
boardwalks over swamps and small gradual hills.
OSPREY - 1.3 miles, light green blaze, .This trail is
an offshoot of Long Creek Trail, which continues along
the water and veers inland. Many trail users start on
this trail shortly after entering Long Creek Trail from
64th Street and follow it until it reconnects to Long Creek
Trail. By doing so, users enjoy a nice loop through a few
different habitats in the southern section of the park.
Along the trail, users may watch Osprey fish in Broad Bay.
WHITE HILL LAKE - 1.4 miles, moderate, gold blaze, .
This fairly flat and wide trail connects Long Creek and
Cape Henry trails. White Hill Lake Trail and the area
where it intersects Long Creek Trail is a prime area for
bird watching. Osprey, egrets and herons are often seen
and heard from it.
COMMON ANIMALS OF THE TRAILS
The more quietly you hike, the more likely you are to
see animals. Please respect all animals and plants in the
park. It’s their home.
SKINKS, LIZARDS AND SALAMANDERS - Skittering up trees
and along fence posts, skinks and lizards can be spotted,
especially eastern fence lizards and five-lined skinks
(juvenile five-line skinks have a bright blue tail that
fades with age).
TOADS AND FROGS - Toads may often be seen hopping out
of the way on the sides of trails. Frogs are often seen in
the swamps.
- 0.6 miles, white blaze, . This short
trail connects Long Creek and Cape Henry trails. In the
summer, be prepared by using bug spray. The path is
mostly level packed ground, though it gets sandier near
Long Creek.
BIRDS - Herons, egrets, woodpeckers, osprey and owls are
LIVE OAK
SQUIRRELS - If you hear a mysterious scratching
- 0.4 miles, purple blaze,
. The trail
passes through the trail and beach sides of the park,
cutting across Shore Drive. This trail connects the beach
parking lot and campgrounds with all the other trails via
the Cape Henry Trail. Watch for bikers.
LONG CREEK
- 4 miles, orange blaze, .This sandy trail
hugs the edge of Broad Bay and Long Creek. Its terrain
is a bit of everything. It’s mostly packed sand with small
slopes that grow to larger hills as it nears branching
into Osprey Trail. Starting at the trailhead along Cypress
Swamp Road, it has beautiful views of the Long Creek
and small beach areas. Then, just past White Hill Lake,
it opens to picturesque marshy areas. From there the
trail veers from Osprey Trail to more inland wooded
surroundings. It is common to see small marsh crabs
scurrying on this trail. This hike is generally warmer than
others when the sun is out.
a few of the types of birds often spotted or heard along
the trails.
sound, look up and around. You may be interrupting
a squirrel’s lunch.
TURTLES - Freshwater turtles are often seen lounging and
sunbathing on logs in the swamps. Some of the most
commonly seen species around the park are red-eared
sliders, mud turtles, painted turtles and box turtles.
Terrapins can be found in brackish water.
Virginia State Parks
First Landing
State Park
Virginia Beach, Virginia
TRAIL
GUIDE
VIRGINIA STATE PARKS ARE A TONIC
FOR THE MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT.
Museums, visitor centers and
nearby historic sites make state
parks cultural treasures.
The recreational opportunities in
state parks are endless and easy to
see – from swimming and boating
to horseshoes and hiking, there’s
always something to do in a
Virginia State Park.
SNAKES - Red-bellied water snakes are plentiful. Rat
snakes, black racers, king snakes, milk snakes and other
non-venomous snakes also may be seen along the trails.
The venomous copperhead and cottonmouth may also be
occasionally seen.
WWW.VIRGINIASTATEPARKS.GOV
800-933-PARK
First Landing State Park
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Liv il 0.4 m
Tra
757- 412-2300
firstlanding@dcr.virginia.gov
2500 Shore Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
TC
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343
O s m a nt h u
Bald Cypress Trail 1.8 mi.
Long Creek
Trail 4 mi.
sT
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60
5m
Sh
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High Dune Trail 0.3 mi.
eD
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Fox Run Trail 0.3 mi.
g
Ki n
fish
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l 0 . 6 mi .
Ca p
Wh
Park Office / Contact Station
Information Station
Hi
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ake
White Hill Lake
Trail Center
Trai
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1. 4 m
i l 6.1
mi
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i.
Park
TC
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Cabins
Boun
Parking
dary
Boat Launch
Restrooms
Bald Cypress
Cape Henry
Fox Run
High Dune
Blaze
Mileage
Usage
Red
1.8
H
Dk. Green
6.1
H, B
Yellow
0.3
H
Lt. Yellow
0.3
H
Kingfisher
White
0.6
H
Live Oak
Purple
0.4
H, B
Long Creek
Orange
4
H
Osmanthus
Blue
2.5
H
Lt. Green
1.3
H
Gold
1.4
H
Osprey
White Hill Lake
H = Hiking B = Biking
= Easy
= Moderate
Difficulty
Broad Bay
pr
ey
Tra
il
ng
1 .6
Cr
mi
ee
.
kT
ra
il 4
m
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venu
tic A
Trail
1
Miles
Lo
Atlan
0
Os
i.
64th
C ap
eH
en
ry
Trail 6.1 mi.
L
stant
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usa
ake S
St