First Landing State Park
Also known as Seashore State Park
- Status
- Status not postedOpen 24 hours
- Entrance fee
- $7 per vehicleAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed6-ft leash
- Camping
- YesAlso cabins, yurts
- Official site
- dcr.virginia.gov(757) 412-2300
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
In Virginia Beach city County, about 10 miles north of Virginia Beach, First Landing State Park covers about 2,916 acres.
The park supports canoeing and kayaking, boating, biking, hiking, and picnicking. The official site lists about 20 miles of trails. Water access includes a boat ramp. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites, group camping, and showers. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins and yurts.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day use | Daily | 7 a.m. – sunset | — |
Official wording
Day-use areas open 7 a.m.-dusk. When open, overnight areas are accessible 24 hours a day.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Passenger Vehicle Parking and Admission Fees – Standard | $7 |
| Passenger Vehicle Parking and Admission Fees – Weekends (Apr–Oct*) | $10 |
| Boat Launch and Equestrian Fees – In addition to Daily Parking Fee Year-Round Per Trailer – Boat | $5 · day |
| High Occupancy Vehicle and Bus Parking and Admission Fees – HOV 9–15 passengers Standard | $15 |
| High Occupancy Vehicle and Bus Parking and Admission Fees – HOV 9–15 passengers Weekends Apr–Oct* | $20 |
| High Occupancy Vehicle and Bus Parking and Admission Fees – Buses 16 or more Year-Round | $40 |
Official wording
Passenger Vehicle Parking and Admission Fees – Standard: $7 Passenger Vehicle Parking and Admission Fees – Weekends (Apr–Oct*): $10 Boat Launch and Equestrian Fees – In addition to Daily Parking Fee Year-Round Per Trailer – Boat: $5 High Occupancy Vehicle and Bus Parking and Admission Fees – HOV 9–15 passengers Standard: $15 High Occupancy Vehicle and Bus Parking and Admission Fees – HOV 9–15 passengers Weekends Apr–Oct*: $20 High Occupancy Vehicle and Bus Parking and Admission Fees – Buses 16 or more Year-Round: $40
Virginia park passes
- Naturally Yours Passport — $85. Parking and admission for 12 months to all State Parks (admission for up to 4 at Natural Bridge and Southwest Virginia Museum) Details
- Senior Naturally Yours Passport — $40. Parking and admission for 12 months, age 62+ Details
- Naturally Yours Passport for Boaters/Equestrians — $180. Parking plus boat-launch / horse-trailer fees for 12 months Details
- Senior Naturally Yours Passport for Boaters/Equestrians — $145. As above, age 62+ Details
From the Virginia state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Virginia State Parks reservation system (reservevaparks.com)
- Phone
- 800-933-7275
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed · leash up to 6 feet
A fee is charged per pet per night for cabin stays. • Pets are allowed on the beach but must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Please clean up after your pet and be sure to bring documentary evidence of rabies vaccination (required in Virginia Beach). • No smoking, cooking or pets are allowed in yurts, with the exception of service animals.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
Camping
Camping is available from the first Friday in March until the first Monday in December.
Park has sites with and without electric/water hookups.
- Firewood is sold at the Cape Snack Bar and Gifts in season and at the park office November through February during business hours.
- Swim at your own risk in the Chesapeake Bay; no lifeguards
- Boat launch is free for overnight guests
First Landing allows guests to reserve specific campsites.
Table of those campsites.
Photos of the sites.
Total sites of each type: EW-20ft, 45. EW-30ft, 27. EW-50ft, 36. Std-20ft, 75. 44-65 Group Campground, 22.
Site type:
EW-20ft: Electric/water site for tents, pop-ups and RVs up to 20 feet long. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire-grill. Bathhouse with hot showers. 20-amp service.
Read more from the park
EW-30ft: Electric/water site for tents, pop-ups, RVs up to 30 feet in length. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire-grill. Bathhouse with hot showers. 20, 30 and 50-amp service.
EW-50ft: Electric/Water site for RVs only 32-50 feet in length. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire-grill. Bathhouse with hot showers. 20, 30 and 50-amp service.
Std-20ft: No electric/water on this site. Accommodates tents only. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire-grill. Bathhouse with hot showers.
Sites 44 - 65: Group Campground - No electric/water on these sites. Three-site minimum purchase required. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire-grill. Bathhouse with hot showers. Good for tents. Group camp area - site-specific; maximum six people per site. A large shelter, which is available to only group campers, may be rented.
Download a map of the campground.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
Cabins
Between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, cabins are rented for a six-night minimum, beginning on a specified start date that varies by cabin. The six-night requirement is reduced to a required four-night stay three months out and dropped to two nights in the last month before arrival.
The contact station is open 24 hours from Memorial Day through Labor Day. All cabins have two bedrooms. Although near the Chesapeake Bay, none has a view of the water. Cabins 1 through 6 are wood-frames with hardwood floors. Cabins 7 through 20 are cinder block with cedar siding and tile and carpet floors. All cabins are across Shore Drive, which separates them from the beach and bay.
When you reserve a cabin, you'll get a confirmation letter that includes a reservation number. Please bring the letter or the reservation number when you check-in. The reservation number is part of a passcode you'll need to get into your cabin, which has keyless entry. Also, be prepared to show a valid ID. If someone else is to check-in for you, make sure that person has the reservation number.
Read more from the park
- Kitchen: Refrigerator, stove, coffeemaker, dishes, silverware, cooking utensils, pots and pans, microwave oven, toaster.
- Rustic furniture. Cabins are climate-controlled (heat and AC). Bring food, dish towels, coffee filters, coffee, salt and pepper, nonstick cooking spray, body wash/soap, bath towels, board games or cards. No dishwasher, telephone, washer or dryer.
- No linens are provided. Guests must bring their own linens: sheets, pillowcases, blankets, towels, bath mat, kitchen towels and cloths.
- Living area: two cushioned chairs, loveseat, dining table with four chairs and two floor lamps.
- As part of a pilot project, cabins 7-20 have TVs with built-in DVD players. No cable or antennas.
- Bedrooms: beds, nightstands, table lamps, clock radios and full-length mirror
- Bathroom with shower
- Fireplaces
- Heat pumps
- Screened porches
- All cabins have decks, a grill and a fire-ring
- Firewood is sold at the Bay Store in season and at the park office from November through February during business hours. A complimentary bundle of firewood is provided for each cabin rental.
- Swim at your own risk in the bay; no lifeguards
- Pets are allowed on the beach but must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Please clean up after your pet and be sure to bring documentary evidence of rabies vaccination (required in Virginia Beach).
- Boat launch is free for overnight guests.
Total sites of each type: Two-bedroom frame: 6. Two-bedroom cinderblock: 14.
Site type:
Two-bedroom frame: Cabins 1, 3 and 6 sleep four with one queen bed and a bunk bed. Cabins 2, 4 and 5 sleep six with one queen bed and two sets of bunk beds. No bed rentals.
Two-bedroom cinderblock: Sleeps six. One queen bed and two bunk beds. No bed rentals.
Total cabins: 20
Yurts
Functionally speaking, they’re a cross between a tent and a cabin. First Landing has four yurts, all of which are in the dune along the Chesapeake Bay. Each yurt has a large wooden deck, two picnic tables, a pedestal grill and a fire ring with a cooking grate. Reservations are required. Parking for two vehicles is allowed for each yurt. Those with additional vehicles must pay the daily parking fee and park in available overflow spaces in the campground.
Check-in is 4 p.m. and checkout is 10 a.m. The rental season for yurts begins on the first Friday in March and ends on the first Monday in December. Maximum occupancy of four; sleeps three - one queen-sized bed and a twin-sized trundle pull-out. Guests must bring sleeping bags or linens.
Yurts must be rented for Friday and Saturday on weekends, but one-night stays are allowed otherwise. A $30 fee is charged for reservations canceled more than a month in advance; within a month, the cancellation fee is $30 per night.
- No smoking, cooking or pets are allowed in yurts, with the exception of service animals.
- Yurts have no inside electricity, water or lighting. Water is available at the bathhouse.
- Each yurt has a sofa, chair, coffee table and dining table in addition to the bed and trundle bed. Dining table seats four.
- No heat or air-conditioning.
- Guests use the campground bathhouse, located a short walk from the sites.
- Decking has four Adirondack chairs.
- Additional camping units are prohibited.
- No yurts are under shade; they're out in the open. They are elevated, and shade is available under the deck.
Things to do
BikingBoatingCampingCanoeing and kayakingHikingPicnicking
Trails
Hiking, bicycle and self-guided trails. Ten trails total about 20 miles, including bike and fitness trails. Trail walks are conducted by interpreters in-season. Bicycles are allowed on only Cape Henry and Live Oak trails.
Swimming
Swim at your risk in Chesapeake Bay; no lifeguards. There are no designated swimming areas at the Narrows or boat launch.
Boating, paddling and fishing
Fishing and crabbing are popular at the park. A valid Virginia saltwater fishing license is required. Annual parking-launching passports are available by calling 1-800-933-PARK.
Boating: Motorboats and other small craft may be launched from the Narrows boat ramp located at the 64th Street extension in the park’s southern area. Facilities include the use of launching ramps, parking for cars and boat trailers and restrooms. Swimming at the Narrows is not advised because currents there are strong.
Whenever Watersports Self-Serve Kayak Rentals
Single and tandem kayaks are available to rent for an expanded season through the Whenever Watersports app and kiosk. Find more details here.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Playground
- Visitor center
- Nature center or museum
- Park or camp store
- Restaurant or food service
- Parking
- Amphitheater
- Group facilities
Water
- Boat ramp
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- Group camping
Lodging
- Cabins
- Yurts
Accessibility
- Accessible trails
- Beach or all-terrain wheelchairs
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
- Beach or all-terrain wheelchairs
- Accessible trails
- An All-Terrain Wheelchair is available for both children and adults. Please visit the All-Terrain Wheelchair page for more information and to request a reservation.
- Kendall bathhouse has a universally accessible shower and toilet facilities with a paved sidewalk from the road to the men's and women's side.
- Archer bathhouse has a universally accessible shower and toilet facilities with a paved sidewalk from the road to the men's and women's sides.
- There's a universally accessible playground near campsite 69.
- Collier bathhouse has a universally accessible shower and toilet as well as a concrete walkway.
- Read bathhouse has a universally accessible shower and toilet and a concrete walkway.
- Boat launch: 64th Street restroom has universally accessible toilets with paved sidewalk from road to men's and women's side.
- Picnic area: Restroom has universally accessible toilets with paved sidewalk from the road to the men's and women's side. There is also an accessible playground with access over wood mulch.
- Trails: The Trail Center is universally accessible with accessible restroom facilities. There is a paved walkway from the road to the center. The Cape Henry Trail is universally accessible from Kendall to 64th Street.
- Visitor center: universally accessible exhibit area, offices and restrooms. All areas are accessed via paved sidewalks from the parking lot and passages in between.
- Amphitheater: Paved ramp with wheelchair seating, access by paved sidewalk (use visitor center restrooms).
- Gazebo: Paved sidewalk to the universally accessible gazebo (use visitor center restrooms).
- Beach access: Dune crossover behind the visitor center. Accessible mats allow access onto the sandy beach.
- Although motorized vehicles are not permitted on park trails, electric wheelchairs and electric scooters that meet the federal definition for wheelchairs to enable people with disabilities to use the trails are allowed.
- A specialized beach wheelchair is available. Call 757-412-2300 for details.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 2500 Shore Dr.
Virginia Beach, VA 23451 - Nearest town
- Virginia Beach — about 10 mi north (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 36.9180, -76.0516
- Phone
- (757) 412-2300
- firstlanding@dcr.virginia.gov
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
From I-64, take Northampton Blvd.-U.S. 13 North (Exit 282). Go through eight lights, then turn right at the Shore Drive/U.S. 60 exit (last exit before the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel). Take a right on Shore Drive and go four and a half miles to the park entrance. To reach the Chesapeake Bay Center, park office, camping or cabins, turn left off U.S. Rt. 60 at the stoplight and check in at the contact station or park office. For the Trail Center, picnic area and trails, turn right instead. Its address is 2500 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23451-1415; Latitude, 36.918020. Longitude, -76.051547. Drive Time: Northern Virginia, three and a half hours; Richmond, two hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, 20-30 minutes (this facility is in the area); Roanoke, five and a half hours.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Virginia State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Oct 8, 2026
- Virginia State Parks 'Find a park' list (HTML, one 'Name (CODE)' link per park)
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology