False Cape State Park

Covering about 3,866 acres, False Cape State Park lies in Virginia Beach city County, about 15 miles southeast of Virginia Beach.

Popular activities here are canoeing and kayaking, biking, hiking, and picnicking. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites and group camping.

OVERNIGHT FACILITIES Primitive camping year-round. No cabins. The park does not offer same-day reservations. For information on the availability of overnight accommodations and particular amenities or to make a reservation, call (800) 933-PARK. Click here for park fees. All campers must receive their confirmation letter and information packet before camping at this park. Carefully and thoroughly read the information you receive. False Cape is unusual and can be unpleasant for those who are unprepared. The packet is generally sent via email, but if you need it sent by postal mail, be sure to allow enough time to receive it. No exceptions. All overnight guests must bring two copies of their confirmation letter. One must be placed on the dashboard of their vehicle; the other clipped to the site marker. Because False Cape is very primitive and has unusually restrictive access, reservations are not available online. For safety's sake, please take the time to carefully read and follow the information below. • Parking is never available at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge for overnight guests. Campers must instead park at the Little Island City Park, leave a copy of their confirmation letter on the dashboard, and walk from five to nine miles through Back Bay Refuge to the park’s campsites. Overnight parking must be paid by using the “Honk” app, available for download from The Android and Apple stores. • Pets are not allowed access to the park through the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. See below for more information. • Beach camping is subject to tides. During significant high tide events, the park may close the campsites. • All park guests are subject to Back Bay Refuge and Little Island City Park's rules and regulations. • Campers must be out of the refuge before sunset when arriving and departing False Cape State Park. • Be prepared for biting insects during summer. They are very common. • Little Island City Park in Virginia Beach - the place from which most visitors depart to False Cape - is closed on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, at noon the day prior to Thanksgiving Day, on Thanksgiving Day, at noon on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day. • On days when Little Island City Park is closed, False Cape staff will meet incoming campers at 1 p.m. sharp to let campers park and enter with enough time to hike, bike and set up camp before nightfall (about 5 p.m.). Please call the park in advance and confirm that you will be parking at the City lot. Rental rates for cabins and camping vary by season, offering and park. Rates are subject to verification by DCR's state parks reservations staff (1-800-933-PARK). First determine the season, which varies by park, then the rate. Click here for park fees. Camping Camping Camping is permitted year-round, but reservations are required. Same-day reservations aren't taken for False Cape. Campsites at the park are in four distinct areas - Barbour Hill Bay, Barbour Hill Ocean, False Cape Landing Bay and False Cape Landing Ocean - which are separated by significant distances. For camping information, contact the Customer Service Center at 1-800-933-7275. The park accommodates tents-only primitive camping. Drinking water is available at three locations in the Barbour Hill area (one by the contact station and two in the camping areas). False Cape Landing campers must bring their own containers to transport water from the water source. Water that's adequate for washing dishes but not for drinking is available in the False Cape Landing area. There are several pit (i.e., non-flushing) toilets. Open fires are not permitted; camp stoves may be used for cooking. Carry everything in and everything out. Campers should also be aware that groups of 10 or must get a special-use permit from the refuge at least two weeks in advance of their trip. There's no vehicular access to this park. Passage by foot or bicycle only, and only during daylight hours, is allowed through the refuge. Vehicular access through the refuge and False Cape State Park is prohibited, and violators will be prosecuted for trespassing. Distances to False Cape campsites from Little Island City Park: Little Island City Park to Barbour Hill visitor center, 5.6 miles; Little Island City Park to Barbour Hill Bay or ocean sites, 6.9 miles; Little Island City Park to False Cape Landing bay sites, 8.2 miles; Little Island City Park to False Cape ocean sites, 8.4 miles False Cape has four primitive campgrounds. • Maps showing locations of specific sites can be found here. Please note that the green areas do not represent shaded areas. • Up to six people or one family living in the same household are allowed per site. • There is a maximum of two tents per site. • Campers may reserve as many sites as desired so long as the maximum capacity is not exceeded. • Camping at False Cape State Park is not recommended for young children, inexperienced campers, or those who need access to emergency medical care. • There is no electricity. Pit toilets only. • Campers must park at Little Island City Park (see above under "Overnight Facilities" for holidays during which access to this parking lot is limited). Campers must leave their confirmation letter on the front dashboard where it is clearly visible. If they do not, their car will be towed. Little Island Parking fees are collected from May 1st - September 30th. Overnight parking must be paid by using the “Honk” app, available for download from The Android and Apple stores. Visit City of Virginia beach Parking Management website for additional information. • Boat access: You can launch your canoe or kayak from Little Island City Park. Boat docks are provided at Barbour Hill and False Cape Landing. Only experienced boaters familiar with Back Bay, which is large, should attempt to access False Cape by boat. In particular, shifting winds can dramatically affect water depth and navigation, making it unsafe for many boaters. The park charges those unable to paddle out a fee to transport their boats out of the park. • Interior access: Cannot be used from November 1 through March 31 because of wildlife management. You can only be on refuge property during daylight hours. Groups with more than 10 members must obtain a special use permit from the refuge. Fees are subject to change. • Beach: Plan to travel near low tide for the easiest access. You can only be on refuge property during daylight hours. These fees, which are federal, are subject to change. • Ticks and biting insects are numerous; insect repellent is a must. Also, beware of venomous eastern cottonmouth snakes. • All trash must be packed out when you leave. • Pets are allowed at False Cape but not allowed through the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Pets can be brought in only by boat to one of three landings in the park or through the North Carolina entrances. • All fees are subject to change.

Hiking, bicycle trails and self-guided trails. Five trails total 15.3 miles. They are available for hiking, biking and exploration. The park’s location on a barrier spit allows visitors to observe beaches, dunes, maritime forests of oak and pine, wooded swamps, marshes and the bay all in one visit.

There are no designated swimming areas.

Fishing - Freshwater and saltwater fishing with a valid Virginia fishing license. Boats - Motorboats permitted.

Fishing - Freshwater and saltwater fishing with a valid Virginia fishing license. Boats - Motorboats permitted.

A state fishing license is usually required.

• The visitor center meets ADA standards. • Throughout the year, the park operates a tram that is available with advance notice. The tram runs through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge to False Cape. Riders may explore the Barbour Hill area or the Wash Woods historic site. Wheelchair users are limited to the roadways in the immediate vicinity of the contact station because deep sand is prevalent beyond that area. The park's visitor center has a beach-accessible wheelchair for those wanting to explore beyond the area. • Those with various ability levels who do not require wheelchairs will find the park usable within their mobility limits. Certain health conditions may limit accessibility.