False Cape State Park

Beautiful, wild, landscape with basic amenities for campers. There was a shower, toilet stall, and potable water at the camp site which was nice. Biking is easy until you get to the beach! Bring bug spray and long pants/sleeves!

Love riding our bikes here, there is alot to see along the trails although I highly recommend a fat bike for the sand! We were able to ride our bike down to the border of N.C. and back.

We kayaked into False Cape from the bay side of Little Island Park—challenging, but absolutely worth it. Paddling through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge was a highlight, with sightings of eagles, ospreys, otters, and plenty of other wildlife along the way. Camping at False Cape isn’t full-on backcountry, but it’s pretty close. There’s a ranger station and some basic facilities, but no fires are allowed and the bugs are no joke—come prepared. The reward? Six miles of undeveloped beach, 15+ miles of well-maintained trails, and the rare chance to see the sunrise over the Atlantic and set over the bay, all from the same patch of wild land. We didn’t make it to the Wash Woods historic site this time, but it’s at the top of our list for the next trip. Big thanks to the staff at the ranger station—they were incredibly helpful and friendly. If you're looking for a remote, peaceful, and wildlife-rich adventure just outside the reach of the city, False Cape delivers.

False Cape State Park offers beautiful and unique scenery, making it a one-of-a-kind destination. However, during our visit, extremely hot weather and biting insects made the bike ride in less enjoyable, especially for families with young children. While the natural beauty is undeniable, visitors should be prepared for challenging conditions depending on the season.

The east and west dike paths are best on bike, since I learned the hard way that my round-trip was over 10 miles and mostly on gravel roads. The scenery is gorgeous and there were some waterfowl but not much else. The gift shop at False Cape has lovely bathrooms and water refill station, in addition to a line of rocking chairs out front. The path to the ocean is dirt for a bit then deep sand, but there is a bike rack on the left just before the primitive campsites; if you bike, I recommend chaining up there and walk to beach a little farther over dunes. Beach is lovely and has amazing seashells!

Probably my favorite park in the VA system due to the remoteness. You can only get to the park via Hike, Bike, or paying for the guided tour on the tram. The trails though Back Bay are only accessible from April - Sept so after that you have to hike or bike to the park via the beach. Pretty easy if you have a fat tire bike eBike at low tide.

We love the undisturbed coastline, dunes, wildlife, and the adventure of getting out to this state park! These are the best 9 miles, of undeveloped coastline on the east coast. They are truly breathtaking! I promise you won't hear an RV generator when you nestle into your tent for the night. In my opinion this park is better than many national parks for its unique pristine beauty. Biking in is by far the most fun and most common mode of transportation. There are shuttle tours but I've never used them. The facilities are extremely well cared for by the rangers and volunteer stewards. Thank you all for maintaining the privies, rugged authenticity, and trails. Your efforts are noticed! The main office is beautiful and there are snacks/essential trinkets there, plus the porch has nice rocking chair, a water fountain and 1 plug to juice up the electronics while the bugs deplete your blood. The bugs can be thick but that's nature. If you're still reading this you want to experience all this, and you should! Don't expect to drive right to your campsite. You have to walk/bike/boat at least 5 flat miles (on dike roads in summer or on the beach in winter, so check the tide chart or it'll be a slog through soft sand). No pets are allowed through the wildlife refuge (which you must go through) so don't bring them. Don't try to cut trough the wildlife refuge when you're going after November 1st to March 1st because you'll be trespassing on federal property which is a huge fine and they patrol both roads hourly. There is a parking fee during the busy season at Little Island City State Park but not in the off season. The best part about this park is that it self selects for hardy individuals to come under their own power! It's worth the effort. See you there!