When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
Mild and green, with the cypress swamp at its lushest and comfortable trail weather.
Pack Bug protection for the swamp, sun layer, and water.
Summer
Hot and humid, with warm bay swimming and the busiest camping and beach use.
Pack Sun shirt, lots of water, strong insect protection, and beach gear.
Fall
Warm early, then cooling, with quieter trails and pleasant biking on the Cape Henry Trail.
Pack Layers, sun protection, and a bike if you want the long flat trail.
Winter
Cool and quiet, with bare cypress, good birding, and uncrowded trails.
Pack Warm layer, wind protection, and footwear for the boardwalks.
Top things to do
Bald Cypress Trail
The signature walk: a flat loop on boardwalks through a moss-draped bald cypress swamp, leaving from the Trail Center off Cypress Swamp Drive.
Cape Henry Trail
A wide, level multi-use path of dirt and sand running the length of the park, popular for hiking and biking and linking the campground area to the bay.
Chesapeake Bay beach
A calm bay-side beach on the Chesapeake, near the cape where the Virginia Company colonists first landed in 1607.
Anchor the day around Bald Cypress Trail
Put the access rule first: shuttle, parking, timed-entry, or reservation windows should decide the order of the day. For one day in First Landing State Park, make Bald Cypress Trail the non-negotiable, add Cape Henry Trail only if the first stop runs clean, and keep Chesapeake Bay beach as the flexible finish.
- 1Start with Bald Cypress Trail: The signature walk: a flat loop on boardwalks through a moss-draped bald cypress swamp, leaving from the Trail Center off Cypress Swamp Drive.
- 2Add Cape Henry Trail: A wide, level multi-use path of dirt and sand running the length of the park, popular for hiking and biking and linking the campground area to the bay.
- 3Use Chesapeake Bay beach as the optional finish, not as a reason to rush the whole day.
Plan your trip
Turn First Landing's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around exposure
Start with First Landing State Park's sun, water, and route demands.
Plan your trip
4 quick tools, already seeded for First Landing State Park. Tune water, pack weight, route time, and overnight warmth before the day gets locked in.
What to pack
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
First Landing State Park packing list
0 of 21 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Decide what First Landing State Park asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, Electrolyte mix, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, 4 more
- Route realityFooting and tractionHiking boots, Hiking socks, Trekking poles
- Load choicePack and carry systemDaypack
- If overnightSleep and shelterTent, Sleeping bag, Sleeping pad
Checklist mode
21 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
One researched pick
The first gear decision for First Landing
A stable daypack is the one purchase that organizes water, layers, food, first aid, and the small safety margin.
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THE DAY-HIKE PICK
Osprey Talon 22
- Volume
- 22 L
- Weight
- 2 lb 1 oz (945 g)
- Back Panel
- AirScape foam with ventilation channels
- Hipbelt Pockets
- 2 zippered
- Hydration
- Compatible up to 3 L reservoir (sold separately)
- Warranty
- All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime repair or replace)
The Talon 22 is the daypack you see on the trail more than any other for good reason: it packs in a padded hipbelt, adjustable torso harness, and dual hipbelt pockets into a 22-liter package that handles loads up to 20 lb without complaint. Owners across hundreds of Amazon ratings consistently cite its adjustability and durability as standouts.
- Adjustable torso fit covers a wide range of body sizes
- Padded hipbelt and dual hipbelt pockets at this size are rare
- At 2 lb 1 oz it runs heavier than ultralight rivals for the same volume
Best for
Hikers who want a proven all-around daypack with solid load support, plenty of adjustment, and a warranty they can actually use.
Gear for First Landing
The buying guides that match what First Landing asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
Camp in the park's bay-side campground, with standard and electric sites a short walk from the beach, or rent one of the roughly 20 cabins, which range about $94 to $139 a night and require a week minimum in prime summer. The Virginia Beach oceanfront, just up the road, has abundant hotels and dining when the park is full.
Camping reservations
Camping reservations
Reserve First Landing camping and cabins well ahead for summer.
The park has a bay-side campground with standard and electric sites and around 20 cabins. Demand is high, since this is Virginia's most-visited state park, and the cabins carry minimum-stay rules in summer.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
Virginia State Parks reserve through reservevaparks.com up to 11 months in advance, with same-day camping until 2 p.m. and free reservation transfers up to four days before arrival.
- Standard tent sites run around $35 per night and electric RV sites about $40 to $45.
- Cabins range roughly $94 to $139 per night, with a one-week minimum in prime summer and a two-night minimum otherwise.
- A parking fee of about $4 on weekdays and $5 on weekends applies to day visitors; overnight guests are covered.
Where to book or verify
Official Virginia reservation portal, or call 800-933-7275.
Official park page with trails, camping, cabins, and fees.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Bay-side campground
Details- Booking
- Reserve up to 11 months ahead through reservevaparks.com.
- Season
- Open in the warm season; verify dates before relying on it.
- Sites
- Standard tent sites and electric RV sites near the Chesapeake Bay beach.
- The first check for campers who want the beach and trails close by.
Cabins
Details- Booking
- Reserve up to 11 months ahead through reservevaparks.com.
- Season
- Open year-round; verify seasonal availability.
- Sites
- Around 20 cabins, with a one-week minimum in prime summer.
- A comfortable option, but plan around the summer minimum-stay rule.
Getting there and practical info
Plan the handoff from arrival to shuttle.
Parking, pedestrian entrances, and shuttle timing decide how calmly the first morning starts.
Getting there
Get to First Landing State Park, then remove the first-morning friction.
- Access rhythm
- Plan the last mile
- Region
- Virginia
Car strategy
First Landing sits on Shore Drive (US 60) at the north end of Virginia Beach, along the Chesapeake Bay near Cape Henry.
Car strategy
The Trail Center and main day-use area are on one side of Shore Drive and the campground and beach on the other.
Car strategy
Most visitors drive in from Virginia Beach or Norfolk, just minutes away.
Pair this with lodging: sleep where the park transfer is simple, especially if your route needs an early start.
Can you photograph here? Permit and drone rules
The Virginia Film Office helps but does not permit; VDOT highway filming is the one state-level permit it coordinates, and Virginia State Parks require a special use permit for any paid photography.
- Permit
- Usually fine for personal shoots; commercial or large productions can need a permit
- Drones
- Legal under FAA rules; commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107
- Land
- Yes: photographing people and property visible from public space is legal in the US
From our photography sister site, Aperture Authority. Verified 2026-07-01.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called First Landing State Park?
The park is near Cape Henry, where the Virginia Company colonists led by Christopher Newport first came ashore in April 1607 before sailing on to establish Jamestown. The park preserves that landing area along the Chesapeake Bay.
What is the best trail at First Landing State Park?
The Bald Cypress Trail is the signature walk, a flat boardwalk loop of about 1.5 to 2 miles through a moss-draped cypress swamp. For a longer, flatter route good for biking, the Cape Henry Trail runs about 7.5 miles through the park.
Can you camp or rent a cabin at First Landing State Park?
Yes. The park has a bay-side campground with standard and electric sites and around 20 cabins. Reserve through the Virginia system up to 11 months ahead, and note the cabins require a one-week minimum stay in prime summer.