Kayaking for Kids Open
False Cape State Park
4.8(459)4.8 out of 5 stars, 459 reviews Virginia Beach, VA
About False Cape State Park
False Cape State Park offers an unparalleled, remote natural escape with nine miles of undeveloped coastline, pristine dunes, and abundant wildlife, often described as more beautiful than some national parks. It's a destination for adventurous families seeking an undisturbed, quiet outdoor experience, far from typical tourist crowds and RV noise.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families seeking a challenging yet rewarding remote natural escape with opportunities for long-distance biking, hiking, and primitive camping.Parents with older children or teens who are experienced outdoor enthusiasts and enjoy pristine, quiet environments.Families interested in extensive wildlife observation and seashell collecting on expansive, undeveloped beaches.Camping trips for those who prioritize privacy, solitude, and well-maintained primitive facilities over creature comforts.Best suited for older children (10+), teenagers, and active families who are experienced in outdoor adventures and enjoy long-distance hiking or biking.
Why families love it
- Pristine, undeveloped coastline with beautiful dunes and wildlife, providing a truly wild East Coast experience.
- Well-maintained facilities by dedicated rangers and volunteer stewards, including surprisingly clean pit toilets.
- Opportunities for extensive seashell collecting on the beautiful, undisturbed beach.
- Visitor center/gift shop offers clean, modern bathrooms, a water refill station, snacks, and a relaxing porch with rocking chairs and a charging plug.
- Remoteness ensures a peaceful environment, self-selecting for visitors who appreciate solitude and nature.
- Some campsites, like Barbour Hill Oceanside, offer drinking water and a shower head for rinsing off.
Insider tips
- Strongly recommend biking in (especially with a fat tire or eBike for beach access at low tide), as hiking is a long, mostly unshaded journey.
- Bring a generous supply of strong bug spray, sunscreen, and consider headnets; be prepared for biting flies that may resist repellents.
- If planning a winter visit or accessing via the beach, check tide charts meticulously to avoid strenuous travel through soft sand.
- Pack collapsible water containers and purification tablets or a filter, as while drinking water is available, it helps reduce trips to spigots.
- Utilize the bike rack located just before primitive campsites; chain up bikes there and walk the final stretch to the beach.
- Plan for the unshaded sections of trails by wearing appropriate clothing, hats, and sunglasses.
Good to know before you go
- Families specifically seeking kayaking activities for children, as no reviews mention this offering.
- Families with very young children or those not accustomed to long-distance, self-powered travel (5-10+ miles of hiking/biking).
- Bringing pets, as they are strictly prohibited through the necessary wildlife refuge access points.
- Accessing the park via the beach after September without checking tide charts or if you do not have a fat tire/eBike.
- Attempting to cut through the wildlife refuge between November 1st and March 1st due to legal consequences and patrols.
- Crowds
- The park's challenging access means it 'self-selects for hardy individuals,' implying it is generally not overly crowded.
- Value
- There is a parking fee at Little Island City State Park (the main access point) during the busy season, but it's free in the off-season. No specific entry fees for False Cape State Park itself are mentioned, suggesting the value is in the access. The overall value is high for those who appreciate a remote, pristine natural environment and are willing to put in the effort required for access. Hidden costs include potential parking fees, the need for specialized gear (bikes, water filters, intense bug protection), and the significant effort required for transportation to and within the park.
- Food
- The visitor center sells snacks and 'essential trinkets.'
- Accessibility
- Access is primarily via challenging modes: hiking or biking (5-10 miles one-way) on gravel roads or soft sand, or by paying for a guided tram tour.
- Safety
- Park rangers and volunteer stewards are noted for maintaining facilities and trails, contributing to a managed environment.
What parents say
"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 seashell"
3 weeks ago
"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."
3 weeks ago
"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 yo"
5 months ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
More kayaking for kids in Virginia Beach
Kayaking for Kids Adventureworks Zipline Virginia Beach
5.0(2,769)5.0 out of 5 stars, 2769 reviews1304 Prosperity Rd, Virginia Beach
Kayaking for Kids Virginia Beach Watersports
4.9(814)4.9 out of 5 stars, 814 reviews3713 Sandpiper Rd, Virginia Beach
Kayaking for Kids Munden Point Park
4.8(755)4.8 out of 5 stars, 755 reviews2001 Pefley Ln, Virginia Beach
Kayaking for Kids REI
4.5(568)4.5 out of 5 stars, 568 reviews350 Independence Blvd, Virginia Beach