First Landing

First Landing SP https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/first-landing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Landing_State_Park First Landing State Park (formerly Seashore State Park) offers recreational opportunities at Cape Henry in the independent city of Virginia Beach, Virginia. The state park is near the site of the first landing on April 26, 1607 of Christopher Newport and the Virginia Company colonists before establishing themselves at Jamestown. The park includes cabins, areas for camping, fishing, and swimming, a public beach, and over 19 miles (31 km) of trails for hiking and biking. Virginia's most popular state park, it's visited by over a million people each year. Its main entrance is located on Shore Drive across from the beach camping entrance.

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 -

WELCOME TO FIRST LANDING STATE PARK (NORTH) STATE PARK. To make your visit safe and more pleasant, we ask that you observe the following: Take only pictures, leave only footprints. Park in designated areas only. Please note there is a parking fee charged year-round at all Virginia State Parks. Honor parking information is found at the park entrance. PRESERVE – Help preserve your park. Please don’t cut or 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. ALCOHOL - State law permits alcohol use only in private 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. DRONES AND OTHER AIRCRAFT - Drones, other unmanned aerial vehicles, including remote control aircraft, and aircraft in general may not be flown in state parks pursuant to 4VAC5-30-400. 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. FIRE - Help prevent wildfires. Fires must be confined to grills, camp stoves or designated fire rings. Fires must be attended at all times and extinguished when left. Firewood is generally available for purchase at the park. Campers and guests may collect only down and dead firewood. We enforce all seasonal and emergency bans on open fires. POLLUTION - Help reduce pollution. Dump stations, laundry sinks and slop sinks, where available, are for the proper disposal of wastewater. Please, no boat, RV or car washing. SWIMMING - Where available, swimming areas are generally open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, weather permitting. Swim or wade only in designated swimming areas and at designated times. Children in swimming areas must wear sealed plastic pants over diapers. Disposable swim pants are recommended and available for purchase at the parks. Swimming or wading in unguarded areas may be hazardous because of swift currents, sudden drop-offs or unseen obstructions. FISHING - Where fishing is permitted, valid Virginia fishing licenses are required. Specific licenses are required for saltwater and trout-water fishing. Please call the park in advance for specifics. GUESTS - Your guests are our guests. For everyone’s safety and security, please register all visitors with the park office. Visitors will not be admitted to camping and cabin areas unless so identified. Visitors are permitted only between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. QUIET HOURS - Quiet hours are between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The use of generators is prohibited at all times. CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT POLICY Check-out 1 p.m. Camping: Check-in 4 p.m. Cabins: Check-in 4 p.m. Check-out 10 a.m. In many cases, campers may be accommodated prior to the official check-in. Please remember that only those 18 or older may register. The registrant is responsible for all occupants of the campsite or cabin. Feel free to arrive early and enjoy park amenities prior to check-in. If you decide to leave the park before the end of your overnight stay, you may be entitled to a refund based on how much of your stay has already been used and any fees due. Once you check in for your cabin or camping stay, that night is considered used. If you are camping, we take what you paid, subtract the fees for the nights used and then subtract one additional night. The balance is due as a refund. This means if you have only a two-night stay, you will not receive a refund if you leave one night early. If you are in a cabin or lodge, the policy is different. First, we always keep at least the first two nights’ fees. Second, we keep $30 per night for a cabin ($60 per night for a lodge) for each night you didn’t stay and subtract that from the fee for any unused nights beyond the two-night minimum. If you started out with a week stay, you received a discount when you made the reservation. If you end up not staying the entire week, your fee will be recalculated at the higher, nightly fee rate. This means that if you have a week stay and leave one night early, no refund will be made. PARKING - Only two motor vehicles, as well as the camp- ing unit, are permitted on a campsite without incurring additional fees. Cabin guests are allowed two vehicles for a one or two-bedroom cabin, three vehicles for a threebedroom cabin and six vehicles for a six-bedroom cabin per day without an additional parking fee charge. Those with additional vehicles must pay the established parking fee for each day the vehicle is in the park. The number of vehicles allowed to park at the cabin varies according to site design and other factors. All vehicles must be parked in designated areas, either at the cabin or in the designated overflow parking area. Primitive and

COASTAL VIRGINIA Virginia Beach Boardwalk—Virginia Beach FROLIC Catch some waves at Virginia Beach Oceanfront! A little sun and surf make for the ultimate vacation feeling, while entertainment, shops, restaurants and more are only a few feet away on the expansive three-mile boardwalk. Stroll, bike, rollerblade or surrey your way to a selfie with the 12-ton “Neptune” statue. Looking for something more secluded? Escape to Sandbridge to enjoy a week of bliss in your house rental (perfect for families and groups) and feel right at home among the sand dunes and dancing sea oats. Close proximity to the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park offer great kayaking, hiking and fishing. COASTAL VIRGINIA 52 B U S C H G A R D E N S ( W I L L I A M S B U R G ) : C O U RT E S Y O F B U S C H G A R D E N S W I L L I A M S B U R G / C O L O N I A L W I L L I A M S B U R G ( W I L L I A M S B U R G ) : S A R A H H A U S E R From the first permanent English settlement in North America through the Revolutionary War and beyond, Virginia is rife with opportunity to travel through time. Begin with an archeological exploration of the New World at Historic Jamestowne. Nearby, Jamestown Settlement’s costumed interpreters bring your discoveries to life – in outdoor replicas of English ships, a colonial fort and a Powhatan Indian village. Head into the 18th century at Colonial Williamsburg to try out weaving or brickmaking at the world’s largest living history museum before reliving the 1761 British surrender at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. Round out your journey with a trip to the Fort Monroe National Monument to hear four centuries of stories, featuring American Indians, Captain John Smith and the first enslaved Africans to arrive in English North America – as well freedom seekers like Harriet Tubman and others who have shaped the history of this prominent site. CO U R T E SY OF V I S I T V I R G I N I A B E AC H The COASTAL VIRGINIA region begins just east of Richmond, meanders along Chesapeake Bay tributaries and ends along the beautiful coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Featuring historic icons, classic theme parks and beautiful shorelines, it’s the ideal destination for a classic family getaway, satisfying history buffs, thrill seekers and beach loungers alike! EXPERIENCE Colonial Williamsburg—Williamsburg TASTE Tickle your tastebuds along the Salty Southern Route, a journey into the culture and traditions of Virginia’s renowned peanuts, pork products and salt-cured hams. Venture through Smithfield (the namesake to Smithfield Foods), Suffolk (home to world-famous Planter’s Peanuts), and other quaint southern communities as you explore culinary roots of historic – and tasty – proportions. ESCAPE In Hampton Roads, the USS Wisconsin is one of the largest and last battleships ever built by the U.S. Navy; take a tour, stay overnight and get a taste of history. Think you can beat the clock in a battle of wits? Test your skills for an hour and catch the spy at the USS Wisconsin Escape Ship! As the nation’s only battleship escape room, this is one excursion you can’t miss! Busch Gardens—Williamsburg SCREAM THRILL Get topsy-turvy on the rollercoasters at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg! Their new coaster, Pantheon, offers epic thrills as America’s fastest multilaunch coaster. If keeping your feet on the ground is preferable, don’t miss the live performances on stages throughout the park and seasonal events like Howl-O-Scream, Bier Fest and fireworks shows. Cool off at nearby Water Country USA, the state’s largest water park, where your family can hang ten on mega-slides and Virginia’s first ever hybrid water coaster, or kick up your feet while floating along the lazy river; little ones will enjoy themed play areas, child-sized water slides and shallow pools. Place your bets at the new Colonial Downs Racetrack and Rosie’s Gaming Emporium in New Kent! You’ll experience the thrill of live horse racing, as well as the heart-pounding excitement of the Historical Horse Racing machines, where the jackpot awaits. Check their schedule for free post-race entertainment, where live music will keep the party going. Plus, enjoy the whiskey bar for exceptional spirits and their restaurant, 1609, for unique Southern flavors that showcase the Commonwealth’s essence. VIRGINIA .ORG 53 Hampton EXPERIENCE AN INSPIRED WEEKEND IN Sea To Stars Ticket M A N Y AT T R A C T I O N S . O N E L O W P R I C E . Hampton’s 410-year legacy as the city “First from the Sea, First to the Stars” is captured in this combination ticket that mixes history, adventure, water recreation and fun! Explore some of Hampton’s best attractions at one low price. H A M P T O N , VA EST. 1610 Hampton University Museum HISTORY COMES TO LIFE. Founded in 1868, the Hampton University Museum is America’s oldest African American museum. Located on the historic Hampton University campus that dates to the same year, the museum features more than

Environmental Education Virginia State Parks are premier environmental education sites. Schools, scouts, groups and individuals are encouraged to come learn more about their world. Backyard Classroom programs, incorporating Virginia’s Standards of Learning, promote lifelong learning. They also help young people enjoy, appreciate and understand the outdoors. Programs & Festivals Master new outdoor cooking recipes. Pan for gold or tour a cave. Learn or improve outdoor skills. Enjoy a rangerled hike, eagle tour or owl prowl. Workshops and events are as diverse as the parks. VIRGINIA Discounts Virginia State Parks are affordable every day, but annual passes can save you money on parking, boat launching and swimming. The Customer Loyalty Program lets you earn points that can be redeemed for free or discounted overnight stays. STATE PARKS You can also receive a 25 percent discount on weekend cabins if you make a reservation on Thursday or Friday, based on availability. Just ask for the discount on the phone when you make the reservation. Park Accessibility Virginia State Parks strive to make each park as barrier-free as possible. Contact the Customer Service Center or individual parks for more information before your trip. Pets Pets are welcome but must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet or in an enclosed area at all times. Cabin guests are charged $10 plus tax per night per pet. No pet fee is charged for camping. There’s plenty of history, too. Immerse yourself in Colonial times, the Civil War or the Underground Railroad. When it comes to festivals, you’ll find music, arts and crafts, local food and beverage, classic cars and more. Up-to-theminute, comprehensive information is available at www.virginiastateparks.gov. Nature & History All parks have trails, many with signs explaining the environment. Wander trails at First Landing through cypress swamps or hike Caledon’s trails along ridges and ravines through rare oldgrowth forest. Overlooks at Hungry Mother, Grayson Highlands and Natural Tunnel offer a glimpse of powerful geological forces that shaped the land. See how rivers shaped some parks, such as Belle Isle, James River, Natural Bridge, Powhatan and Westmoreland. www.virginiastateparks.gov | 800-933-PARK (7275) www.virginiastateparks.gov Shenandoah River Seven Bends Sky Meadows 540-622-6840 540-622-6840 540-592-3556 CT • CT • Douthat 540-862-8100 T Natural Bridge 540-291-1326 Smith Mountain Lake 540-297-6066 • 540-854-5503 703-730-8205 703-339-2385 540-288-1400 • B/E/H • B/H • B/E/H/U VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS • • FP • • • • B/E/H H • FP • • B/H • • • B/E/H/U • H/U NORTHERN VIRGINIA Lake Anna Leesylvania Mason Neck Widewater • • • FP CT • • • • B/H/U • • • UD CT CHESAPEAKE BAY Belle Isle Caledon Machicomoco Westmoreland 804-462-5030 540-663-3861 804-642-2419 804-493-8821 • • • B/E/H/U • • B/H • CT • • FP • B/H • FP • P B/H/U COASTAL Chippokes Plantation False Cape­­­­ First Landing York River 757-294-3728 757-426-7128 757-412-2300 757-566-3036 • • P B/E/H/U • • B/H/U • • • B/H • • • FP • • B/E/H/U EASTERN SHORE Photo courtesy Jackie Jamison Kiptopeke CENTRAL VIRGINIA Bear Creek Lake­ High Bridge Trail Holliday Lake James River Pocahontas Powhatan Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Twin Lakes (Cedar Crest Conference Center) Boa t La unc h Boa t Re nta ls Fish in g Day Use O nl y Play grou nds Swi mm in g Trai ls BLUE RIDGE HIGHLANDS SHENANDOAH VALLEY 757-331-2267 • • • FP • • H/U/B 804-492-4410 434-315-0457 434-248-6308 434-933-4355 804-796-4255 804-598-7148 804-561-7510 434-392-3435 434-767-2398 T • • • • B/E/H T • • • • • • • • T • • • • • CT • • 540-643-2500 276-579-7092 276-781-7400 276-781-7425 276-699-6778 276-699-6778 • • • FP • • • T • • • CT • • • • B/H/U B/E/H • B/H/U B/E/H/U • SOUTHERN VIRGINIA Fairy Stone Occoneechee Staunton River Battlefield Staunton River 276-930-2424 434-374-2210 434-454-4312 434-572-4623 T • • • 276-865-4413 276-254-5487 276-940-2674 276-940-2696 276-523-1322 276-445-3065 T • • • • • • • B/E/H • B/H/U • • P B/E/H • • P B/E/H HEART OF APPALACHIA Breaks Interstate Clinch River Natural Tunnel (Cove Ridge Conference Center) Southwest Virginia Museum Wilderness Road CT • • • • B/H • P B/H/U H/U • B/E/H TABLE LEGEND­­­: B Biking CT Car-top Boat Launch E Equestrian FP Fishing Pier H Hiking P Pool Swimming T Electric Motors Only U Universally Accessible UD Under Development B/E/H B/E/H/U P • B/E/H/U B/E/H H • • Many parks offer overnight facilities suitable for reunions, weddings and special events. Some parks even have equestrian campsites. B/E/H/U B/E/H/U • T Claytor Lake Grayson Highlands Hungry Mother (Hemlock Haven Conference Center) New River Trail Shot Tower With lodges, cabins, yurts and campsites, the fun doesn’t end at sundown. Many cabins are available year-round, and most campgrounds ar

Hotel Weyanoke—Farmville Small Towns, Local charm, cozy curios and open arms make these small towns in Virginia worth exploring. Character WRITTEN BY MARY & BILL BURNHAM T KYLE LAFERRIERE 10 he phrase “small town” evokes nostalgia, authenticity and heartfeltwarmth in many of us. What’s not to love? They are authentic, accessible, friendly and stocked with locally-owned businesses. These are communities where you can get off the crowded highway, park the car and walk, ride a bike or even kayak through downtown. Small, family-run businesses offer one-of- a-kind handmade items, from jewelry and art to craft beers and wine. Farmers markets offer locally-grown produce and seafood spring through fall. With almost 200 incorporated towns, dozens more villages and hamlets, plus nearly 30 designated Virginia Main Street Communities, the hard part is deciding which Virginia towns to visit. VIRGINIA .ORG 11 Here are some of our favorites, d ending starting in southwest Virginia, an metown with a shameless plug for our ho on the Eastern Shore. High Bridge Trail State Park—Farmville Harrisonburg Big Stone Gap 12 Farmville HIGH BRIDGE TRAIL STATE PARK (FARMVILLE): ALI ZAMAN / SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA MUSEUM (BIG STONE GAP): JASON BARNETTE June Tolliver House and Art Folk Center—Big Stone Gap Southwest Virginia Museum—Big Stone Gap JUNE TOLLIVER HOUSE (BIG STONE GAP): TIM COX Southwest Virginia’s coal-mining history comes to life in the “Trail of the Lonesome Pine,” Virginia’s longest-running outdoor drama, performed Thursday through Saturday nights, late June through August. Before you go, be sure to read the Big Stone Gap novels by Adriana Trigiani, or watch the Hollywood film by the same name starring Ashley Judd and Whoopi Goldberg. Upon arrival, you can visit places featured in the film, such as Mutual Pharmacy, the Book Mobile, the Farmers Market, as well as the outdoor drama. Fine, well-preserved period homes house The John Fox Jr. Museum, the Southwest Virginia Museum and the June Tolliver House. Cozy B&Bs, cafes and a variety of antique and curio shops round out this small town gem. Fun Festival: 100th annual Tri State Singing Convention, June This formerly industrial town has been reinvented for recreation, craft beverage and shopping lovers. The Appomattox River that once carried tobacco barges is now a designated Scenic River carrying paddlers in search of whitewater or the calmer four-mile Farmville Blueway. The railroad that once carried coal now carries hikers, bikers and equestrians on the 30-mile-long High Bridge Trail State Park. Repurposed tobacco packing houses and lumber warehouses are reincarnated to house Appomattox River Company, Green Front Furniture and the Third Street Brewing Company, serving up local beer, live music, games for the kids and a pet-friendly beer garden. Together with the Virginia Tasting Cellar and the soon-to-open second location of James River Brewing, Farmville is fast becoming a destination for craft beverage lovers. Fun Festival: Heart of Virginia Festival, May Set amidst the vast playground of the idyllic Shenandoah Valley, Harrisonburg has been called “one of the best mountain bike towns in America” by National Geographic. Forward-thinking entrepreneurs and artisans have blended the past with the present to create a lively melting pot that is distinctive to this college town. Named Virginia’s first Culinary District in 2014, Harrisonburg’s cultural diversity serves up fare from around the world, while taking advantage of locallysourced farm-to-table ingredients. Food. Bar.Food features “global comfort food,” while a mother-daughter team creates soulsoothing pastries at Heritage Bakery & Café. The arts scene is equally diverse, epitomized by the Agora Downtown Market, a community of small businesses under one roof in an historic building. Named for James Madison, fourth president and the “Father of the Constitution,” are the stunning Hotel Madison and James Madison University (JMU), where nearly 20,000 students lend a youthful vitality to this historic town. Fun Festival: Harrisonburg International Festival, September VIRGINIA .ORG 13 Within Virginia’s larger cities, find pockets of uniqueness that make you feel like you’re in a small town! ROANOKE’S HISTORIC GRANDIN VILLAGE This walkable urban village is eclectic and family-friendly at the same time. Spend Saturday morning at the Community Market, dine on an outdoor patio, shop independentlyowned boutiques and take in a first-run or classic film at the 1930s Grandin Theatre. RICHMOND’S SCOTT’S ADDITION One of the hottest, newly revitalized neighborhoods in the state capital. Warehouses converted to breweries, cideries and distilleries, bold street murals, a cinema and a retro bowling alley make this a happening night scene. Immerse yourself in Virginia’s Lake Country at Virginia’s only lakeside town. Buggs Island Lake, also known as Kerr Reservoir, draws anglers to dozens of fishing tournaments yearl