Gnarled, twisted branches tipped with small green oak leaves rise up out of the sand dune like a welcome umbrella providing a windbreak, shelter, and a welcome verdant landscape in the gray afternoon of another winter day.

It is winter and fall colors still peek out here and there and there, but for the most part, False Cape State Park boasts quite a bit of green all year-around.  It does snow once in a while in southern Virginia and it is a unique opportunity to take pictures of snow under a green leaf canopy.

Live oak trees keep their green leaves even in winter

Southern live oak (Quercus Virginiana) trees are somewhat unique in the deciduous tree family.  The name "Live Oak" comes from the fact that the trees don't change colors in fall or take on a "dead appearance" like other oak trees in winter.  While they do drop their leaves, it is usually in spring when new leaf growth pushes off the older leaves.

Live oaks are a hardy species surviving in hot, dry southern environments able to thrive on wind-swept beach dunes and in sandy soil due to a strong tap root and wide crown.  The wood was prized during colonial times, difficult to work, but very strong.  The USS Constitution was built with southern live oak wood.

When I've got the winter blues and the majority of the trees are gray, bare, sodden, and sad, I like to head out to False Cape State Park and hike under the everlasting green canopy of loblolly pines and live oak trees.  I always remember the name "loblolly" because the pine cones stick up like lollipops on the branches.

A brisk winter walk on the windswept dunes will put color in your cheeks

Winter is the best time to explore False Cape State Park.  There is nothing like a windy bike ride down the trails at Back Bay Wildlife Refuge to put color in you cheeks. And a brisk walk on the beach at False Cape State Park with white caps in the distance gets me ready rededicate myself to outdoor stewardship as the new year approaches. But the best part of the cool weather at False Cape State Park is no biting flies, no mosquitoes, and no gnats.

Grab your hiking or biking gear and get out into the green at False Cape State Park this winter.  First Landing State Park's cabins are open year-round. Book a two-night minimum stay at First Landing State Park and go to False Cape State Park for a winter day trip.  False Cape State Park is only a 45-minute drive from First Landing State Park. They are both located within the city boundaries of Virginia Beach.

Bundle up and sign up for one of the park's winter tours by tram or Terra-gator, a dune friendly monster-truck type bus.

If hiking or biking 10-15 miles round-trip is not your forte, then go on one of the guided tours where we pick you up and drive you into the park. Click here for a schedule of winter guided tram and terragator tours and programs at False Cape State Park.

For reservations at First Landing State Park or any Virginia State Park, please call the Virginia State Parks Customer Service Center at 1-800-933-PARK.