First Landing State Park

It’s Virginia’s most-visited state park, and the reasons for the draw are quite obvious. This spot on the coast offers inviting Chesapeake Bay beach frontage, as well as the forest that makes camping so inviting.

We visited First Landing State Park on a summer weekend in 2020, a year when getting outdoors was important and activities were limited. So, our visit was probably unique. We did not partake in any organized activities or check out the visitor center. We didn’t even hike any of the trails, which is unusual for us. We just had so much fun on the beach.

The beach area here provides shallow, calm water which can be enjoyed a good ways out from the shore. This was particularly nice with smaller kids and a dog. We spent hours throwing a water-bouncing ball to each other out in the water.

Other than a downpour washing out our campsite and forcing us to find a nearby seafood restaurant for dinner one night, this was a beautiful camping weekend.

Fast Facts (and Opinions)

Location: First Landing State Park - Virginia Beach, VA

Equipment: Pop-Up

Date: August 2020

Weather: Sunny and hot, one storm with a downpour

Kid-Friendly: Yes (ours were ages 8 and 6)

Dog-Friendly: Yes

Site: 98

Water/Electric
Back-in
Level
Sand/grass
Shade
Good hammock trees
Floods pretty badly with heavy rain
Small, only one vehicle will fit with camper
Very close to bathhouse

Bathhouse:

No notes on bathhouse

Cell Service: No (Verizon)

Park Highlights:

Beach
- Unguarded swimming
- Sandy beach and calm, shallow water
- Fishing
- Can get crowded on weekends

Area Highlights:

Bubba's Seafood Restaurant with great outdoor seating overlooking the channel
There are many things to do and see in the Virginia Beach area

Park Hikes:

We regretfully did not explore any trails

Area Hikes:

None that we explored

Other Campsites:

140 - deep, private
137 and 138 - set up nicely for camping with another family
101 - deep and wide, private
99 - pull-through, across from bathhouse but not as private
96 - deep, next to bathhouse
94 - deep, good trees, by bathhouse
190 - good location, near bathhouse and boardwalk, no neighbors across or on one side
Other options: cabins and yurts

Things to Do Next Visit (Because There's Just Never Enough Time!):

Hike the trails!