One of the joys of camping on the beach is sunrise and coffee with the surf at your toes. Settle in on a rocking chair on the covered wrap-around porch. The bay is at the end of the trail for good views. The Blue Goose Tram runs between Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park. It does not store any personal data. A Beginner's Guide to Hiking or Biking to False Cape State Park Why ALMOST everyone needs to visit False Cape State Park Campnab scans parks for cancelations. But not everyone appreciates "certainwildlife" found at this park, nor the pre-planning involved to make the trip in, since there is no public vehicular access allowed. Campers must hike, bike or boat into the park. Our app alerts you when campsites come available. Whoops! It also has a full kitchen, restrooms, shower, meeting area, a small library, and AV equipment. Pocahontas State Park Required fields are marked *. Many campsite reservations are cancelled daily. Its down a little trail and very quiet. At least, on foot. False Cape State Park Camping. Make a Reservation for False Cape State Park. The tram gives visitors a chance to explore the park's Barbour Hill area and Wash Woods historic site.Trail accessFor day-use visitors, parking is available at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge visitor center parking lot. False Cape State Park - False Cape State Park Camping - Destination 360 Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Wear loose fitting light colored clothes withlong sleeves and long pants if possible In certain months, the biting flies can leave painful reminders of your camping trip. . Savor sunset views from the bay side campground. Once you find a parking spot, put a copy of your campsite registration on the dashboard. . You will see camp sites and the ocean. False Cape State Park Camping - Outdoors with Bear Grylls There are a dozen campsites on the peninsula, each requiring reservations through the State Park Reservation Office. Most people park at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge (entrance fee applies April 1 - October 31). Drinking water is available inside the park but you will need to bring containers to transport it to your site. Throughout the year, False Cape features guided kayak trips, primitive camping, interpretive programs, hiking and biking trails, and six miles of pristine Atlantic Ocean beach. Remember, Virginia State Parks practices Leave No Trace principles. York River State Park, About Americas State Parks | Contact Us | Americas State Parks Blog. Copyright 2023, AmericasStateParks.org. When arriving at the park through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge youll take either the East Dike trail (7.7 miles) or the West Dike trail (6.9 miles). Youll be more on your own in this section. Share your review of False Cape State Park and help fellow nature-lovers make an informed decision. This campground is closed for the season from April 9, 2023 through April 4, 2024. 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Pirates, graveyards, and ghost stories, oh my! But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The park is long and narrow. The visitor center is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm. Bugs are also an issue. You will also see the remains of a church steeple (now enclosed). Its a mile walk down a paved road in the hot sun from the main gate to the Back Bay Visitor Center. The development of the park began with the purchase of approximately 4,300 acres of land. Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge This 4,589 acre refuge was established in 1938 to provide a habitat for migrating and wintering waterfowl, since the area is on the Atlantic Flyway migratory bird route along the East Coast. I am Alison and I created this site to encourage everyone to get out and explore the world. Please be nice. Larger groups would be more comfortable in this section. If you rent one of the campsites at Barbour Hill Beach or False Cape Beach, you have the option to camp on the beach if the weather allows. You can book your reservation by calling 1-800-933-PARK. False Cape State Park, Virginia, United States. For beach transporter reservations, call 800-933-7275. There is limited camping access for seasoned back-country campers, and there arespecific requirements to do so. Camp on the beach at False Cape State Park in Virginia - 13NEWSNOW.com Carefully read through all of the information ahead of time. Join Park and Refuge staff for a scenic ride to observe numerous flocks of wintering waterfowl such as Snow Geese, Tundra Swans and dozens of different waterfowl species in addition to the various other wildlife found within. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park If you get off the tram, you have 3.5 hours to explore the state park (from 9:15 am to 12:45 pm). Camping at False Cape State Park | Find reservations at False Cape Also, print two copies of your camping. From the camp sites, its about a five-minute walk to the beach. Use the fields below to create a notification alert. Youre at the beach, you have to at least dip a toe in. False Cape State Park - Department of Conservation and Recreation 60 to Seashore State Park. There is no fee to enter False Cape State Park. High Bridge Trail State Park One letter must be left on the dashboard of their car in Little Island Park, the other must be clipped to the campsite marker. No fire rings. False Cape is home to the Wash Woods Environmental Education Center, which is noted for ecological studies. 4001 Sandpiper Rd Click here fordetails on camping at False Cape State Park. However, overnight parking is available at Little Island City Park which is about 40 minutes away from the park. Machicomoco State Park Boat access is possible from any shoreline. Also, consider that it would be the most northern area of the Outer Banks and could be quite a drive. Kyle Barber: Right, it sure does. We had a wonderful time. Its a .7-mile walk (one-way) with wetlands on both sides and an observation deck. Had there been a few people around, I may have considered going in further. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 7. Powhatan State Park To learn about park offerings and overnight accommodations, email. The park offers 12 tent sites. Back Bay is something to be seen with its almost African like vibe on the right side of the trail and lush green on the left-hand side. There aredrinking water spigots at the Visitor Center and near the camp sites. The area is remote with limited access. Reservations for primitive campsites MUST be made by calling 1-800-933-PARK (No same day reservations). Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. The tram costs $8/adult. Day-use and overnight visitors should read all recommendations regarding visiting the park to be fully prepared. Celebrate spooky season with a night time open-air tram ride through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park. Have a notepad handy when you call since the reservation counselor will go over some of the camping regulations. Its as if the sun is rising just for you. False Cape State Park, Virginia, United States. 1 - Oct. 31. Read through the packet thoroughly and follow the instructions. False Cape State Park Campsite Overview Barbour Hill Ocean Campsites Legend Barbour Hill Trail - Potable Water - Pit Toilet - Sun Shelter - Campsite Barbour Hill Bay Campsites Barbour Hill Trail - Potable Water - Pit Toilet - Campsite False Cape Landing Ocean Campsites False Cape Landing Trail - Non-Potable Water (Do not drink) The TRAM tour provides access to False Cape State Park with a unique opportunity to view and learn about the array of wildlife found in the area, from mammals to birds to reptiles. If you have this option, I recommend trying both as I did. Once you reach the parking lot for Back Bay with the Visitor Center and the trailheads, you may have a choice, depending on the time of year. On the return trip along the Sand Ridge Trail, I made side trips east and west on the False Cape Landing Trail to see the bay and ocean side camp sites. This 6+ mile gravel trail runs north to south along the length of the park. Cape Lookout State Park, Oregon - Camping Reservations - ReserveAmerica You can use those non-potable water spigots for clothes washing and clean up. Get reservations at sold-out campgrounds. The tram provides a round-trip ride and is not available for overnight guests. Keep in mind if youre staying at one of the False Cape campsite sections that there is no shower to rinse off the salt. Don't worry, we want you to visit, in fact we'dlove for you to come out and experience False Cape State Park. Many campers cancel reservations. 10. The fee is $20/resident and $25/non-resident per camp site. Visited False Cape State Park Campground lately? False Cape State Park has 15 miles of trails that wind along the beach, through the freshwater marsh, maritime forest, sand dunes and past historical site markers. If this Virginia State Park is not for you, that's okay because we have more than three dozen other parks to choose from, but we'd be pleased to haveyou visit False Cape. Because of the park's complex operating partnership with Little Island City Park, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and its unique resource management issues, it can be complicated to camp in the park, but don't let that stop you. * Barbour Hill Ocean (11-20): These 10 sites are all shaded and enclosed in live oaks. Douthat State Park Camping at False Cape State Park - Virginia Outdoors The park has a visitor center with exhibits, flush toilets and a gift shop. To get to False Cape, you must park at Little Island Recreation Area (with a permit) and walk five miles. However, the caveat is this. You cannot drive to False Cape State Park. The absolute best way to explore this state park is on two wheels. Soft sand on the trail and beach makes walking difficult. While pets are allowed in our park, you cannot bring them through Back Bay.The park operates a tram that leaves from the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge (4005 S. Sandpiper Road in Virginia Beach) and travels through the wildlife refuge. This section seemed to be pretty buggy though. Campsite groupings have picnic tables, pit toilets, lantern posts, and a place to hang up food and trash to prevent animals from getting into them. Between Nov. 1 and March 31, access to the park is restricted to hiking or biking along the beach, by boat or by the park'sbeach transporter, the Terra-Gator. 2023 Exploration Alison LLC - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Throughout the "hot" dog days of summer, the Friends of False Cape will be hosting fund raising events at the False Cape Visitor Center. I took the Blue Goose Tram in from Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, but let me first take a few steps back. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Find Cape Lookout State Park camping, campsites, cabins, and other lodging options. Be sure to use the bag hook poles at each campsite. Want to help improve the False Cape State Park listing? Hikers should be prepared for intense sun with hats, sunscreen, and plenty of water. Otherwise youll have to bike or walk 15 miles up the 4WD area (Carova Beach) to get to the entrance. Renting a bike and cycling through Back Bay and False Cape is a common activity for tourists and locals. Camping at False Cape State Park. Be prepared for weather conditions. Next, turn right onto Sandpiper Road to Little Island City Park. Natural Tunnel State Park False Cape State Park Camping Cancelation App | Campnab My bike has gravel bike tires, so they werent very good on the loose sand. 5. The water will likely be a little cold for swimming, but its not too bad. False Cape State Park, Virginia, United States Both of these trails are flat, gravel paths suitable for beach cruisers and mountain bikes. Make note, however, that you cannot park at Back Bay if you plan to leave your car overnight. one mile wide that separates the Back Bay of the Currituck Sound from the Breaks Interstate State Park After the guided history lesson, the tram will return to the visitor center. Park Of The Month False Cape Primitive Coastal Camping, Park of the Month False Cape - Primitive Coastal Camping, Park of the Month False Cape - Primitive Coastal Camping - State Parks Blogs, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. To bring in pets, hike the beach trail or come in by boat from November through March. The camping areas are Barbour Hill Bay, Barbour Hill Ocean, False Cape Landing Bay and False Cape Landing Ocean. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Camping at False Cape State Park | Find reservations at False Cape For camping information, contact the Customer Service Center at 1-800-933-7275. False Cape State Park Camping | The Dyrt It seemed perfect for a September trip. After this, the sand becomes very loose and impassable with average bike tires. Terra-Gator trips require a minimum of 10 people (it's quite expensive to run that behemoth). No crowds, beautiful sunsets, and sunrises. You can park your bike and walk on select trails, like the Cemetery Trail. Directions Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Parking Lot When Oct. 29, 2021. At last, I have reached my favorite way to explore this state park. The most impressive stretch of the Sand Ridge Trail is between Pintail Overlook and Wood Duck Overlook. Don't forget your binoculars and camera,(and bug spray, sunscreen and water). Parking fees required Memorial Day to Labor Day. Beach transporter operation dates: Nov. 1 - Mar. Biting insects are a problem in the summer months so have lots of insect repellent. All Tram Tours require a reservation. But you can bring a propane stove or sterno to heat water and cook food. Have a notepad handy when you call since the reservation counselor will go over some of the camping regulations. Youll follow a trail that takes you to the Visitor Center. Widewater State Park False Cape State Park, Virginia - Backpacker Magazine Reflectors are set up at the beach access point. Overnight camping is recommended only for experienced individuals. As part of ensuring campers know what theyre getting into, campsite reservations are only done via phone, and same-day reservations are not allowed. Well text you when a suitable spot opens up! Park of the Month False Cape - Primitive Coastal Camping Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. What could be better than camping on the beach in the offseason? Bring your own water containers. Dogs are allowed in the park, but you cannot bring them into the park through Back Bay. Bring an extra bike inner tube and small bike tool kit.If you forget something, the camp store inside the Visitor Center has a variety of snacks, gear, first aid supplies, and clothing. To access hard-packed sand beach on the Atlantic Ocean, you will need to walk your bike down an access path of very loose sand. Little Island City Park This large park provides access to the beach and Back Bay Lake plus opportunities for fishing, boating and picnicking. Our service now monitors a number of provincial, state, and federal parks in Canada and the United States. Pit toilets are also available for your comfort. Your email address will not be published. You can book your reservation by calling 1-800-933-PARK. My passion is to help everyone get out and explore their world. We can help! All campers need to hike in approximately 4 to 6 miles. Help! Wildlife viewing at False Cape really depends upon what time of the year you visit this secluded beach area. Its very remote. The wonderful staff and volunteers that answer the phones will go through all the information and help you choose a site. You will see camp sites and the ocean. Not far from the North Carolina border lies a vast area of undeveloped land along the coast and near Virginia Beach. Its also the easiest section to reach with the least amount of hiking. People wishing to camp must make reservations in advance and make sure that they bring two copies of their confirmation letter when they camp. The Best Coastal Camping in Virginia - Virginia's Travel Blog Stop here for permits and directions. Sequoia Kings Canyon National Parks camping, Arapaho Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee Ng camping. The Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, next to the park, operates a tram (April 1 October 31) that travels through the refuge and into the parks Balfour Hill area and Wash Woods historic site. When arriving through Back Bay be aware that you must be out of the refuge before sunset so give yourself enough travel time. Option 2: Hike the Seaside Trail to the beach and walk down the beach to False Cape State Park. About us and our campsite tracking tool | Campnab