Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from midnight to 4 p.m. through April 30 per the 4 p.m. Burning Law. This includes wood and charcoal. Gas is permissible. Campground fires are allowed during the restricted time if a camp host is on duty and signage to that effect is posted in the campground. Failure to observe the 4 p.m. Burning Law can result in a fine. Contact the Park Office for additional information.

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With the weather warming up and the sun staying out longer, this is the perfect time to get out and explore everything Virginia State Parks has to offer. 

Everyday should be a beach day, even with cloudy skies at Kiptopeke State Park, VirginiaEveryday should be a beach day, even with cloudy skies

We were hoping to save Kiptopeke State Park for another day and take up one of the park's Rangers on their offer to lead us on a sunset hike and owl prowl through the woods, but we had to change plans.  Unfortunately, we’re sorry to report that due to a custody arrangement our faithful 4-legged friend Mr. Rigby (who is very much still alive, well, happy, and loved), will no longer be able to join us on the rest of our Virginia State Park adventures. We couldn’t bare the idea of not doing what could possibly be the last hike with our favorite trail companion, so we chose Kiptopeke State Park as our best option. Hopefully we’ll get a night hike in some other time.

May 22 Kiptopeke State Park

Kiptopeke State Park is the only State Park located on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, which is part of the DelMarVa Peninsula and separates the Chesapeake Bay from the Atlantic Ocean.

To get here from the mainland you’ll have to cross the famed Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel which is a marvel in itself and worth the drive if you’ve never experienced it, despite the heavy toll to get across.

Life on the Eastern Shore is easy going, partially from the lofty toll on the bridge-tunnel keeping Norfolk and Virginia Beach workers from commuting, and also because the Nature Conservancy owns much of the land along the ocean protecting it from becoming another big tourist beach town. If you plan to visit take advantage of the small town feel and find yourself some fresh off-the-boat seafood!

Kiptopeke, meaning “Big Water” in Native American Tongue, certainly provides access to the Chesapeake Bay with sweeping views of the ocean, fishing piers, and an expansive beach with swimming not recommended due to undercurrents.

Also notable are the historic concrete ships which act as a breakwater protecting the shoreline and apart from providing a great home for sea-life add a unique note of history to the park.

A view of the concrete ships from a lookout on the Brown Pelican Trail at Kiptopeke State Park, VirginiaA view of the concrete ships from a lookout on the Brown Pelican Trail

Mr. Rigby enjoying his hike on the Brown Pelican Trail at Kiptopeke State Park, VirginiaMr. Rigby enjoying his hike on the Brown Pelican Trail

If you happen to explore more than just the beach and fishing pier, which we recommend, you’ll find, as we did a hidden treasure of shoreline forests and wildflower meadows. We explored a huge portion of the park hiking the Baywoods Trail, Taylor Pond Trail, Songbird Trail, Brown Pelican Trail, and the Peregrine and Wood Warbler Boardwalks. (Trail map here)

ne of the boardwalks leading to the beach and Chesapeake Bay at Kiptopeke State Park, VirginiaOne of the boardwalks leading to the beach and Chesapeake Bay

The mowed trail that cuts through the Songbird Trail at Kiptopeke State Park, VirginiaThe mowed trail that cuts through the Songbird Trail

American Wisteria proliferates in the Native Plant Garden by Taylor Pond at Kiptopeke State Park, VirginiaAmerican Wisteria proliferates in the Native Plant Garden by Taylor Pond (learn more about this alternative to invasive wisteria here)

We also didn’t see a single person until we got to the beach and main fishing area so do yourself a favor and check out everything this beautiful state park has to offer, especially the trails.

The hidden gems we appreciated included:

  • The picturesque Native Plant Garden overlooking Taylor Pond; the bench under its canopy of native wisteria would make a perfect location to read a book, paint a picture, or bird watch. We could have sat there all day.
  • The Songbird Trail, which is really a mowed path that cuts right though a wildflower meadow perfect for spotting butterflies sipping on nectar.
  • The entire Brown Pelican Trail which shows off cliff-side views of the Chesapeake Bay while meandering through the coastal forest.

We’ve been continually impressed by the amenities and options at each park we’ve visited, and with locations all over the state we definitely recommend taking advantage of your local spot. We spent hours mapping out the rest of our year and should be finishing up our challenge by Thanksgiving, leaving December for any raincheck sites.  

We’d like to thank you for following along with us so far and hope you continue to enjoy our adventure as it unfolds!

If you would like to go on your own adventure to Kiptopeke 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.

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If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.

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