{"ok":true,"data":{"id":3595,"slug":"first-landing-state-park-beach-virginia-beach","name":"First Landing State Park Beach","country":"USA","state":"Virginia","city":"Virginia Beach","coords":{"lat":36.9238,"lng":-76.0126},"beachType":null,"tags":["famous"],"article":{"hero":"First Landing occupies a rare stretch where maritime forest meets beach, a 2,888-acre state park wedged between the resort towers of Virginia Beach and the quieter shores facing the Chesapeake Bay. You'll walk beneath canopies of Spanish moss and loblolly pine before emerging onto a shoreline where the sand feels coarser underfoot than the oceanfront beaches three miles south. The bay-side beaches here slope gently—no sudden drop-offs—making them magnets for families whose youngest members are still mastering the doggy paddle.\n\nThe park's nineteen miles of trails wind through swamp ecosystems where you'll spot osprey nests in dead snags and fiddler crabs skittering across mudflats. Bald cypress knees poke through tannin-dark water along the Cape Henry Trail, while the Long Creek Trail delivers you to hidden sand pockets where the only sounds are lapping waves and the occasional bass boat puttering past. The Chesapeake Avenue beach access offers the widest stretch of sand, with picnic shelters set back in the shade.\n\nBring bug spray for the trails and arrive early on summer weekends when the small parking lots fill by mid-morning. The water temperature climbs into the mid-seventies by June and holds through September, though locals swim year-round when the sun breaks through. You'll share the shoreline with crabbers checking pots and stand-up paddleboarders tracing the marshy inlets.","teaser":"You'll find salt-sprayed bald cypress trees leaning over sandy coves where English settlers first touched Virginia soil in 1607. The water here—fed by both Atlantic currents and the Chesapeake Bay—stays calm enough for toddlers to wade while herons stalk the tideline. Pack a kayak and your hiking boots.","uniqueAngle":"The only Virginia state park beach where you can paddle through bald cypress swamps in the morning and build sandcastles by lunch.","accessType":"Drive-up","thingsToDo":[{"icon":"hike","title":"Cypress Swamp Trails","subtitle":"Nineteen miles through maritime forest"},{"icon":"kayak","title":"Paddle Broad Bay","subtitle":"Launch from Narrows parking lot"},{"icon":"swim","title":"Calm Bay Wading","subtitle":"Gentle slope, no drop-offs"},{"icon":"camera","title":"Osprey Photography","subtitle":"Nests visible along marsh edges"}],"audience":{"surfer":"The Chesapeake Bay side delivers barely rideable waves—this isn't your break. When nor'easters push through October to March, you might catch knee-high rollers on the bay's western shores, but you're better off driving three miles south to the Virginia Beach oceanfront where Croatan and Sandbridge offer proper Atlantic swells. First Landing works for longboarders chasing mellow log sessions on rare windy days, but expect mushy closeouts and boat wakes that kill any clean faces. Skip the wax; bring your SUP instead.","couples":"Claim a picnic table beneath the pines at the Chesapeake Avenue beach access as the sun drops below the Bay Bridge-Tunnel, painting the water copper and gold. You'll want to pack a cooler—there are no beachfront restaurants here—but Chick's Oyster Bar sits ten minutes away on Shore Drive, serving Lynnhaven oysters and she-crab soup on a deck overlooking Long Creek. The park's twenty tent sites and cabins lack the romance of boutique inns, but the Cavalier Hotel's art deco elegance waits fifteen minutes south. Early morning walks along the shore reveal heron tracks and the occasional horseshoe crab.","backpacker":"Tent sites run twenty-four dollars with hot showers and flush toilets—book online months ahead for summer weekends. The park charges four dollars for vehicles, but cyclists enter free via the Cape Henry Trail connection. Hit Aldi on North Great Neck Road for sandwich fixings under seven dollars, or grab fish tacos at Rockafeller's on Shore Drive where eight bucks covers lunch. The HRT bus route 20 stops at the park entrance from Memorial Day through Labor Day, connecting to the oceanfront transit hub. Fill water bottles at bathhouses; the Broad Bay access has the cleanest taps.","local":"Hit the Narrows trail at dawn before the birding groups arrive—you'll have the boardwalk to yourself and catch great blue herons fishing the shallows. The unofficial beach access past the maintenance yard offers better shelling and zero crowds, though rangers occasionally shoo people back to designated areas. September weekdays post-Labor Day deliver the best conditions: warm water, empty trails, and parking spots at nine a.m. Locals know to launch kayaks from the Long Creek Trail terminus at high tide, when you can paddle directly into the salt marsh without dragging through mud.","family":null,"party":null,"diver":null,"explorer":null},"faqs":[{"a":"First Landing State Park Beach is generally safe for families with children due to its location on the calmer Chesapeake Bay side rather than the Atlantic Ocean. The waters are typically gentler with smaller waves compared to the oceanfront beaches. However, there are no lifeguards on duty, so adult supervision is essential. The bay's shallow waters near shore make it easier for kids to wade safely. Always check weather conditions before swimming and be aware of jellyfish during summer months.","q":"Is First Landing State Park Beach safe for swimming with children?"},{"a":"First Landing State Park Beach is accessible year-round, but late May through September offers the warmest weather for swimming and beach activities, with temperatures ranging from 75-85°F. Summer months (June-August) are most popular but also crowded. Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) provide pleasant weather with fewer visitors, ideal for hiking the park's trails and enjoying the beach without crowds. Winter visits are possible for beachcombing and scenic walks, though swimming isn't recommended due to cold water temperatures.","q":"When is the best time to visit First Landing State Park Beach?"},{"a":"First Landing State Park has a designated parking area at the beach access point off Shore Drive (US Route 60). Parking fees vary by season: typically $5-7 on weekdays and $7-10 on weekends during peak season (Memorial Day to Labor Day). Off-season parking is generally cheaper. The lot can fill quickly on summer weekends, so arrive early. Virginia State Parks require a parking fee per vehicle, which grants access to the beach area. Annual passes are available for frequent visitors.","q":"Where do you park at First Landing State Park Beach and how much does it cost?"},{"a":"First Landing State Park offers its own campground with cabins and campsites for overnight stays. The beach area has basic amenities including restrooms and outdoor showers. For dining, Shore Drive (within 1-2 miles) features numerous restaurants ranging from seafood spots to casual eateries. The Chesapeake Bay beaches area has several hotels and vacation rentals nearby. For more extensive lodging and dining options, the Virginia Beach oceanfront resort area is approximately 15-20 minutes away by car.","q":"Are there restaurants and hotels near First Landing State Park Beach?"},{"a":"Yes, First Landing State Park is unique for combining beach access with over 19 miles of hiking and biking trails through rare maritime forest and bald cypress swamps. The Bald Cypress Trail is particularly popular, featuring a boardwalk through ancient cypress trees and Spanish moss. These trails offer a distinct contrast to the beach experience and showcase the area's diverse ecosystems. Trail access is included with beach parking. The combination of beach and forest makes First Landing different from typical Virginia Beach destinations.","q":"Can you explore the cypress swamp trails at First Landing State Park?"}]},"seo":{"title":"First Landing State Park Beach: Virginia's Coastal Forest Haven","description":"Where Chesapeake Bay whispers meet maritime forest trails at Virginia Beach's quieter shore. Gentle waves, cypress-lined paths, and shallow sandbars await families.","ogImage":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50879654818_87bb2fc30e_b.jpg"},"images":[{"id":"542194","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47627511512_8502ef43ec_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47627511512_8502ef43ec.jpg","alt":"First Landing State Park"},{"id":"542196","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/32737412017_e09ca35bc9_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/32737412017_e09ca35bc9.jpg","alt":"First Landing State Park"},{"id":"542198","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50939824388_018a81eaf4_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50939824388_018a81eaf4.jpg","alt":"Halloween Pennant - Celithemis eponina, First Landing State Park, Virginia Beach, Virginia, August 13, 2020"},{"id":"542199","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50224680722_c7311aaf44_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50224680722_c7311aaf44.jpg","alt":"226/366 Blue Dasher - Pachydiplax longipennis, First Landing State Park, Virginia Beach, Virginia"}]}}