If you’re visiting Virginia Beach, just a few minutes up the road along the Chesapeake Bay is the wild and wonderful First Landing State Park. As Virginia’s most visited state park, there is so much to do, from hiking, biking, and camping to swimming and the seashore itself. We enjoyed a nice and quiet afternoon here hiking along the peaceful Osmanthus Trail with our son.
First Landing State Park
In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps built Virginia’s very first state park near the site where the Jamestown residents originally landed when they reached the New World in 1607. In 1936, the park was first opened to the public under the name Seashore State Park. In 1997, its name was changed to First Landing as a better reflection of the history of the area.
The park has approximately 2,900 acres of land and almost 20 miles of trails. The park contains about 1.5 miles of the seashore itself which is ecologically significant. In 1965, it was listed as a National Natural Landmark.
There is such a rich history in this area. Before the Europeans settled in Jamestown, Native Americans were quite active in this area. The fresh water provided by the bald cypress swamps were a valuable resource used by Native Americans, colonists, pirates (Blackbeard himself was said to have hid in the swamps within the park), and mariners.
Hiking
With 19 miles of trails, there is something for everyone. The trails can be accessed from the Trail Center located near the southern portion of the park. Here, you can learn about the natural wildlife in the area as well as its long and rich history.
Osmanthus Trail
With a small child in tow, we opted for the three-mile Osmanthus Trail hiking loop. This is the most private of all the trails and we only saw a few other parties on our slow trek. (One year-olds tend to meander). This trail meanders its way through swamps and dense forests. Boardwalks ensure that your feet stay dry! You can access the Osmanthus Trail from the Bald Cypress Trail.
Where is it Located?
First Landing State Park is located at 2500 Shore Drive in Virginia Beach, Virginia, just north of the downtown area. The Osmanthus Trail is on the south side of Shore Drive and can be accessed via the Trail Center.
Maps
A map can be downloaded from the official Virginia Government State Park website here: http://first-landing-state-park.org/first_landing_trails.html Paper copies of this map is also available at the First Landing State Park Trail Center which is located on the south entrance to the park off of Shore Drive.
