day trip Destination: False Cape State Park While not easy to reach, this park’s charm begins with the journey there. It was named False Cape because ships often mistook it for Cape Henry, the cape leading to the Chesapeake Bay about 20 miles north. Many ships ran aground in the shallow waters thinking they were heading for a safe shipping channel. False Cape features guided kayak trips, primitive camping, interpretive programs, hiking and biking trails, and six miles of Atlantic Ocean beach. You can access the park only by foot, bicycle, tram or boat. The difficulty in reaching False Cape State Park provides its best draw—solitude. The road less traveled gives you a natural experience unrivaled in this highly developed area. Of all the state parks in Virginia, False Cape has the most unique set of entrance requirements. To even reach the 4,321-acre park, visitors must arrive by water or travel 4-5 miles through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, either on the East and West Dike Trails or along the Atlantic Ocean beach. For those who want to get to the park without using their own energy, a tram exists but you must make reservations. Arriving by water means docking in the park after coming through Back Bay. All four docking areas have the difficulty of strong currents and only those with experience should attempt those entry options. For a day trip, hikers and bikers can either park at the Little Island City Park and continue for one mile of road on wheel or foot to the wildlife refuge entrance or pay $5 to enter and park in the wildlife refuge parking lot. You can only go through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge paths April 1 through October 31.
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may-jul 2022 | boulevard
[ by jill doczi ] The best part of this park is the solitude. Take a walk on any part of the beach and you’ll be the only person leaving footprints for miles.
[ PHOTOS by Jill Doczi ]
