False Cape State Park

In southern Virginia Beach you will find False Cape State Park, a barrier over a mile wide which splits Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. To get there you need to go through Back Bay Wildlife Refuge and can hike, bicycle, or boat in the primitive camping facilities (bring your own water, there are no amenities in primitive campgrounds) that extend along one of the last undisturbed coats in the East of America. False Cape State Park is the home to environmental studies programs due to this last vestige of unpopulated East Coast beach.

False Cape gained the reputation of being a ships graveyard during the 1880's, and was the chief reason that the United States Coast Guard was started. The land mass surrounding the cape mimicked that of Cape Henry, and many a ship was lost trying to find their way around the ''false cape." Boats were lured into the shallow waters and Wash Woods, one of the first communities in the area, was started by survivors of one such shipwreck. The Cypress wood that washed ashore from subsequent wrecks was used to build their church.

You can not drive to False Cape State Park, as it is land locked on the southern end of the refuge. If this is a problem due to limited mobility, you can take the Terra Gator, a vehicle which is designed to do the least environmental damage (the cost is eight dollars per person and you must reserve it.) If you want to see the park but choose not to camp or spend the entire day, you can take the tram from Little City Park, where you can get off and explore for about two hours before the return trip.

To get there:

From Interstate 64, exit on to Indian River Road East. Go 13 miles, then turn left onto Newbridge Road, then right onto Sandbridge Road. Next, turn right onto Sandpiper Road to Little Island City Park. Groups of 10 or more are required to obtain a special-use permit from Back Bay Wildlife Refuge two weeks in advance of trip.The tram for False Cape operates from April 1 through October 31 on a first-come, first-served basis. Tram inquiries should be directed to call (757) 426-3643.

Because the park is part of the wildlife refuge, there are specific rules to obey, and camping equipment to take into consideration. Please call 1-800-933-PARK to get all the pertinent info you'll need to make your visit a success.