Explore First Landing State Park, the Most Visited State Park in Virginia

Nestled within the Chesapeake Bay, First Landing State Park offers a park experience that is hard to find anywhere else in the world. The ancient 2,888-acre park, includes more than 19 miles of hike trails through protected salt marsh habitat, fresh water ponds, dunes, tidal marsh and cypress swamp, and 1.25 miles of Chesapeake Bay beachfront, frequently one the least crowd beaches and best keep secrets in the area, accessed through the northern entrance of the ballpark. A file Natural Landmark, First Landing is the most visit submit park in Virginia and contains one of the most endangered habitat types in the world – the nautical afforest .

inaugural Landing State Park Chesapeake Bay Beach

First Landing History

First Landing is named for the historic landing of three little ships from England, the Discovery, the Susan Constant, and the Godspeed, which brought the first english settlers to America in 1607, right following doorway to the park at what is now called Cape Henry, located within the Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story. The 100 Englishmen and women aboard these ships, commanded by Captain Christopher Newport, went on to establish the first gear permanent village in the new world at Jamestown after exploring, what is now Virginia Beach for respective days .
first Landing ’ randomness legend doesn ’ metric ton end there, however. 100 years after the settlement of Jamestown, the coastline of the Chesapeake Bay was home to fearsome pirates, including the most ill-famed pirate of them all. The beaches of the Chesapeake Bay are ideal for scanning the calm bay waters, possibly for treasure-laden merchant ship and Navy vessels on the hunt for pirates, making it a favorite lookout for one Captain Edward J. Teach, or Blackbeard, himself. As the history goes, after the dismissal of a peculiarly big merchant ship, a Navy ship was spotted coming from the west, before the Teach and his men had time to enjoy their choice. After burying their gem in the dunes of the beach, the men fled through the narrow inland waterways of the park, back out to the ocean, before sailing to their hideout in North Carolina, intending to return to reclaim his gold when they were clear of the warships. It was never to be, however, as the Navy caught up with Teach off of the Carolina coast, in the Outer Banks. A bally battle ensued and ended when the pirate captain was beheaded at the hands of Lt. Robert Maynard .
Though many have tried, the suffer treasure of Blackbeard remains a mystery to this day. Legend has it that while his death occurred in North Carolina, his heart has returned to protect that which he holds most dearly. The beaches of First Landing are a beautiful place for a late afternoon stroll, but watch your step. Stray excessively finale to where his gem lies and you just might find yourself staring through the brainless apparition of the most ill-famed plagiarist to ever sail the high seas – back to protect what is rightfully his .

First Landing Trail Center

first Landing State Park Trail Center

The chase center, accessed through the south capture off of Shore Drive, is the chief hub for accessing the nine interpretative trails that run through the park. Hikers can choose from nine hiking trails through the parking lot ’ s seven distinct ecosystems, including the Cape Henry Trail. This six sea mile chase is the park ’ mho longest, stretching from the northerly border to southernmost entrance off of Atlantic Avenue, and is the only trail accessible to both hikers and bicyclists. For a scenic hike through the enchanting cypress swamps, Bald Cypress Trail offers a 1.5 nautical mile loop, including several boardwalks and platforms overlooking the low wetlands, making for several great photo-ops.

First Landing Cabins and Camping

first Landing State Park Cabin Camping

Campers can find recourse within the park, a well. First Landing offers 200 campsites, nestled within the second dunes of the northerly, beachfront side of the park. Sites vary from smaller sites, perfect for camp camping, to sites that have water and electricity hookups and can accommodate 50-foot RVs. For those who prefer a comfier stay, the south side of the park offers 20 agrestic cabins, with run urine and electricity, ampere well as heat and air out stipulate. Campsites are available from March 1 through early December, while the cabins can be rented year-round .

First Landing Cypress Swamp

first Landing State Park Cypress Swamp

Whether hike, bicycle, bird-watching, or treasure hunt, time spent in this capture forest is an escape in every sense of the discussion. The moss-covered pathways and windswept dunes can transport you to another global entirely. As the breeze dances through the leaves of the towering native Bald Cypress trees, you ’ ll spirit as though you ’ ve been dropped off in a state that time simply forgot .
Plan your trip to First Landing State Park nowadays !

source : https://mindovermetal.org/en
Category : Maritime