False Cape State Park is right in our backyard, and while it's not the easiest park to get to, its seclusion adds significantly to its charm.

View from the Terra Gator driving through Back Bay Wildlife Refuge to get to False Cape

One of the more sandy trails at the park

May 15, 2016 False Cape State Park

If you're planning to visit False Cape State Park and are coming from out of town, you'll definitely want to do your research first. There are two entrances, one from North Carolina along a very, very, very sandy road and the other either a walk, bike ride, or kayak trip through Back Bay Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach.

Dogs are allowed in False Cape State Park, but not Back Bay, so Mr Rigby stayed home on this adventure as it isn't easy getting them in; and if you're planning to camp you'll have to opt for primitive camping only and will need to travel even further without your car as there is no overnight parking at Back Bay. (You'll also need to call at least 24 hours in advance)

We heard from some friends that there is a tram* that runs through Back Bay Wildlife Refuge and tours False Cape State Park with a guide, minor hiking, and a pretty great picture of the park.

How to keep parents happy: take them on adventures when the visit. Ma and Pa Sumoski enjoyed this experience

We opted to take the tram called the Terra Gator because Ma and Pa Sumoski were visiting the area and this offered a chance to see a lot of the park in a short amount of time. The Terra Gator, led by a power couple driver and guide, also included a historian to share way more than you ever needed to know about the history of the area, but also way more than you could easily find out about on your own.

A grave site at the Wash Woods Settlement 

An old Live Oak on the property, dubbed the "Family Tree" 

This maritime forest is incredibly protected and undisturbed. Prior to becoming a State Park, False Cape was home to Native Americans, shipwreck victims of the Wash Woods settlement, and hunt clubs. Now you can expect to see a stunning maritime forest filled with old, embowed live oaks, Spanish moss, sandy trails, loblolly pines, high sand dunes and a lot of wildlife.

You can certainly expect to see turtles of many varieties, song birds, shore birds, raptors including bald eagles and osprey, a stray snake or two with a high possibility of seeing a cottonmouth and, if you're lucky, a rogue pack of wild boar!

A snapping turtle laying her eggs right along the road at False Cape State Park

While the weather wasn’t ideal, our historian guide was better prepared than we were and supplied blankets for the chilly tram ride. With a detailed description of the local history, the ride through Back Bay into False Cape State Park was set stunningly with a scenic view of the protected marsh and forest along with the occasional stop to get a better look at the local wildlife that we passed. 

The highlight on our trek into False Cape State Park was getting to see a large turtle laying her eggs just feet from the edge of the road.

The tram tour takes you into the heart of the park with the major destination point being what remains of the Wash Woods settlement. You do have the option to stay and hike for an hour instead of continuing deep into the park. If the tram isn’t for you there are still options to hike, bike, kayak, and fish at this gorgeous example of a forest by the sea.

*The Terra Gator into False Cape State Park is operated by a third party in partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and there is a fee for this service, click here for details.

If you would like to go on your own adventure to False Cape State Park and would like more information about this park, click here. 

Guest Bloggers Peter Radlowski, Sarah Sumoski and Mr. Rigby plan to tackle all 36 Virginia State Parks in 2016 and they invite you to come along on the adventure with them.