Written by Skip McLamb
Do you like adventure? Do you enjoy watching wild animals? And how about hiking on trails through marsh lands and maritime forests? Have you ever been to a beach where you can put your feet in the Atlantic Ocean, look north and south, and not see another living soul? All of this is possible, without leaving the Tidewater area, if you visit one of my favorite get-away spots: False Cape State Park.
The twenty-five square mile park, part of a barrier island system, is located in the southwest corner of Virginia Beach. It’s an isolated area, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the waters of Back Bay to the west, the North Carolina state line on the south, and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge to the north. The park is only accessible by foot, bike, or boat, and visitors need to be prepared for a primitive outdoor experience.
On almost any given day, a hiker or biker can expect to see deer, muskrat, fox, snakes, otters, turtles, and an amazing variety of birds. A lucky hiker or biker might also see feral ponies and pigs, a sea turtle, mink, hawks, nutria, or a bobcat. There are remnants of an old village, including a graveyard, which can provide you a historical perspective on what life was like here a century ago.
I have visited this park dozens of times over the years, and on each trip I see and learn new things. If you think you will enjoy a different kind of day at the beach, I highly recommend a visit to False Cape State Park. Primitive tent camping sites are available for public use and an environmental education center, created from an old hunting lodge, has comfortable accommodations for up to twenty people. More information about FCSP can be found on the Virginia State Parks website, www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks.
About the author: Skip McLamb, a retired educator, writes for pleasure to make good use of his new found free time. Contact him at ovmclamb@live.com.
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