Location of False Cape State Park in Virginia" />Location of False Cape State Park in Virginia" />
The park is open sunrise through sunset daily. Please note that guests must be out of the refuge within 30 minutes of sunset. Guests may access the park by foot, bike, or paddle craft. The visitor center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Although welcome at False Cape State Park, USF&WS regulations prohibit pets, therefore accessing False Cape State Park with pets through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is not allowed.
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge interior trails, including East Dike and West Dike trails, are closed from Nov. 1 through March 31, during which park access is restricted to hiking or bicycling along the beach or by boat.
The Wash Woods Lodge is open. Please call the park to make your reservation
Parking at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge fills quickly in the summer. Additional parking and overnight parking is available at Little Island City Park.
Reservations for primitive campsites MUST be made by calling 1-800-933-PARK.
All Tram Tours require a reservation. Please call the park office at 757-426-7128 to make your reservation.
Please review the Virginia State Parks Know Before You Go information before you visit.
Nestled between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, False Cape State Park is one of the last remaining undeveloped areas along the Atlantic coast. As the former home of Native Americans, the historic Wash Woods community and Little Island Coast Guard Station, False Cape honors the hardy souls who made a living from the sea. The park offers an opportunity to experience nature in a unique, primitive setting. Be prepared for weather conditions. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen and insect repellent. False Cape features guided kayak trips, primitive camping, interpretive programs, hiking and biking trails, and 6 miles of pristine Atlantic Ocean beach. The park is accessible only by foot, bicycle, tram or boat. Public vehicular access is not allowed at any time. Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge interior trails, including East Dike and West Dike trails, are closed from Nov. 1 through Mar. 31, during which park access is restricted to hiking or bicycling along the beach or by boat. Day-use and overnight visitors should read all recommendations regarding visiting the park to be fully prepared. Visitors must follow refuge and False Cape State Park rules and regulations. 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. The tram gives visitors a chance to explore the park's Barbour Hill area and Wash Woods historic site.
Trail access
For day-use visitors, parking is available at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge visitor center parking lot. Back Bay has East Dike and West Dike trails that lead to False Cape State Park. Only one of those trails is open at a time. Pay attention to refuge signs indicating which trail is open.
Dawn to dusk. Those visiting the park through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge must be out of the refuge by dusk.
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. Parking fees are required from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Day-use only parking also is available at Back Bay Wildlife Refuge.
From First Landing State Park and oceanfront, turn east onto Shore Drive (Route 60); follow Pacific Avenue to General Booth Boulevard, then left on Princess Anne Road and then straight onto Sandbridge Road. Turn right onto Sandpiper Road to Little Island City Park. Parking fees are required from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
The park's latitude is 36.593813. Its longitude is -75.886521.
Drive Time: From Virginia Beach's oceanfront to Little Island city parking lot is about 40 minutes.
Note: Groups of 10 or more are required to obtain a special-use permit from Back Bay Wildlife Refuge two weeks in advance of the trip.
The tram for False Cape operates January-December. Call the park at 757-426-7128 for more information.
3,844 acres. Beach Size: 5.9 miles of beachfront, extending to North Carolina line.
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.
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 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 contact station, 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.
Hiking, bicycle trails, self-guided trails. Five trails, including the Barbour Hill self-guided interpretive trail, 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.
None - no horses allowed.
Click here for the park's trail guide.
Download (external link for use with Avenza App) the geo-referenced map
Download the geo-referenced map for this park
The park has no shelters, but there are picnic tables at the visitor center and at boat docks at Barbour Hill, False Cape Landing and Wash Woods.
The Wash Woods Lodge can accommodate day visitors or 16 people overnight. The center offers a kitchen, restrooms and a shower. Call the park for details.
Be sure to stop by the visitor center in the Barbour Hill area to learn about the park's history and upcoming events. The gift shop also has cold drinks, ice cream, T-shirts, camping supplies and souvenirs.
None at this park.
None at this park.
Wash Woods Lodge: Located directly on the bay, the lodge offers a myriad of possibilities for ecological studies. The center can accommodate day visitors or 16 people overnight. The center offers a kitchen, restrooms and a shower.
False Cape offers astronomy programs, wildlife tours, birding hikes, night hikes, kayak tours and special group tours. The park also offers field trips and overnight experiences that focus on environmental education. Click here to view all parks' events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.
In the 1800s, False Cape gained a reputation as a shipping graveyard. The area got its name because its land mass resembled Cape Henry, luring boats into shallow waters. One of the area's first communities, Wash Woods, was developed by survivors of such a shipwreck. The village's church and other structures were built using cypress wood that washed ashore from the wreck. From the turn of the century until the 1960s, False Cape was a haven for a number of prestigious hunt clubs, which took advantage of the area's abundant waterfowl. The park's Wash Woods Environmental Education Center is a converted hunt clubhouse. A 1966 study of Virginia's outdoor recreation resources recommended that a substantial ocean beachfront be made available for public use on the Atlantic Ocean south of Virginia Beach. The development of the park began with the purchase of approximately 4,300 acres of land.
Join the Friends of False Cape State Park. The nonprofit citizen group provides voluntary help to DCR for the preservation and conservation of the park. The group educates the community about park offerings and supplies funds, materials and labor for special projects. Its success depends on those who appreciate the outdoors and wish to preserve this special place. Members enjoy special friends-only events throughout the year. Learn more about the group by calling or emailing the park.
Master plans must be written for parks before they're built. The plans are updated at least once every 10 years thereafter. The plans cover the size, types, infrastructure and locations of facilities as well as the site's special features and resources. Three public meetings are held during the initial development of each plan. Click here for this park's master plan.
