Trail Center
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Trail Center offers a unique blend of easy, well-maintained hiking trails and an indoor educational experience featuring a small museum and local information. It provides access to diverse natural environments, including peaceful marsh areas and bay access, making it ideal for year-round nature appreciation, bird watching, and gentle family exercise.
Key Highlights
- ✓Small, informative museum inside with local maps and things to do.
- ✓The 'First Landing Trail Guide' is highly recommended for exploring trails.
- ✓Many trails are 'really easy and well-maintained,' suitable for families with children of all ages.
- ✓Beautiful scenery including trees and peaceful marsh areas.
- ✓Park and facilities are 'really clean.'
- ✓Excellent for bird watching.
- ✓Opportunity to see various wildlife, including species of snakes in April.
- ✓Offers dual access to both 'beach side' and 'non-beach side' areas.
- ✓Same day parking pass allows crossing the street to access the bay.
Standout Features
- ⭐Educational small museum and a detailed local information wall.
- ⭐Crucial 'First Landing Trail Guide' for exploration.
- ⭐Variety of easy and well-maintained trails.
- ⭐Serene natural environment with diverse flora and fauna.
- ⭐High level of cleanliness throughout the park.
- ⭐Opportunities for bird and wildlife watching.
- ⭐Convenient dual access to both the bay and the trail side with one pass.
- ⭐Dog-friendly environment, as many dogs are seen being walked.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Bring bug spray, especially when planning to explore marsh areas or visiting on a rainy day.
- →Upon arrival, make sure to check out the wall with local maps and things to do.
- →Acquire and utilize the 'First Landing Trail Guide' for the best experience.
- →Consider visiting during weekdays, winter, or the off-season to experience fewer crowds and more tranquility.
- →Fall is noted as having perfect weather for walking and enjoying nature.
- →Be aware that marshes may be dried up during the fall season.
- →If visiting in April, be mindful of snakes being active (can be a nature highlight or a caution).
Things to Consider
- ⚠Mosquitoes are present in marsh areas, particularly on rainy days, requiring bug spray.
- ⚠Marshes might be mostly dried up, especially in the fall, which could be disappointing for some visitors.
- ⚠Snakes were observed in April, which might be a concern for parents with very young children.
Price & Value
Parking costs either $7 or $10 for an all-day pass. This single pass provides access to the Trail Center's non-beach side and allows crossing the street for bay access, offering good value for a full day of varied outdoor activities.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •Not explicitly mentioned for specific accessibility needs (e.g., wheelchairs). However, trails are described as 'really easy and well-maintained,' suggesting potential manageability for some mobility challenges, but this is not guaranteed for all levels of accessibility.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •No information regarding outside food policy or on-site food availability was provided in the reviews.
🚗Parking Info
- •Paid parking is available for $7 (Review 2) or $10 (Review 4) for an all-day pass.
- •The parking pass includes access to both the trail side and the bay side across the street.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Less crowded during weekdays, winter, and the off-season.
- •Implied to be busier during weekends or peak seasons, making off-peak visits preferable for tranquility.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No specific safety features (e.g., staff supervision, first aid, security measures) were mentioned in the provided reviews.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Weekends and peak seasons if you prefer a less crowded experience.
- • Visiting marsh areas without adequate bug spray.
- • Expecting lush marshes during the fall, as they might be dried up.
- • If you have a strong phobia of snakes, especially when visiting in April.
Pricing/Package/Events
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Currently no events for First Landing State Park
Between 09/29/2025 and 10/09/2025 (as per source context)
No special events listed for this specific park within the provided event listing from the main State Parks events page.
🍎Food Policy
- • No specific food policies for the Trail Center.
- • Cape Snack Bar and Gifts shop is open daily in season in the main office area.
- • Many restaurants nearby in Virginia Beach.
- • Picnic area available with fire grills.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Weekends are very high visitation days, expect delays. Once parking capacity is reached, guests will be turned away.
- • Please review the Virginia State Parks 'Know Before You Go' information before you visit.
- • Park is located beside a military training center that operates year-round; guests may experience unusual sights and loudness, but activities pose no risk.
- • Motorized vehicles are not permitted on park trails. Electric wheelchairs and electric scooters meeting federal definition for wheelchairs are allowed on trails for people with disabilities.
📅Booking Policy
- • For nature/history programs, call 757-412-2306 for details.
- • For picnic shelters, call Customer Service Center at 1-800-933-PARK.
🚗Parking Information
- • Parking capacity can be reached on weekends, leading to delays or guests being turned away.
- • For the Trail Center, picnic area, and trails, turn right off U.S. Rt. 60.
What People Say
What's Great
- Clean and well-maintained facilities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 4 reviews)
Recent Reviews
leah hendee
4 months agoReally nice trail center with a small museum inside. I don’t want to post spoiler pics of the museum. Make sure to check out the wall with local maps and things to do. The First Landing Trail Guide is a must! Small gift shop too.
Melanie Phillips
9 months agoThere were many trails to walk on, and most of them were packed with sand. We went on a rainy day, but don't forget the bug spray as there are mosquitoes in the marsh areas. We didn't stay and explore most of the trails, but the scenery was beautiful!! It was only $7 to park, and you could cross the street to the bay using the same day pass. The trees and marshy areas were really nice and peaceful. I'm glad we came!
nick GERARDO
3 years agoA really nice park. I have gone to the beach side and then the non-beach side. Really clean. A lot of birds to look at. The trails it really easy and well-maintained. Great place to go during the week. I feel like going to parks during the winter or the off-season is the best time less people. Highly recommend going to the park if you are in the Virginia Beach area.
Will Koo
2 years agoVery cool trail park. Came in fall and weather is perfect for walking and enjoying nature. Lots of dogs being walked and beautiful scenery. A bit disappointed that the marshes are mostly dried up...looking forward to seeing that environment. Definitely a great place to come get some exercise and enjoy fresh air. Parking is $10 all day.
Josh Trewin
2 years agoAmazing trails, lots of wonderful nature and wildlife to see. Went in April and saw a few species of snakes out.