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Primitive camping year-round. No cabins. The park does not offer same-day reservations. For information on the availability of overnight accommodations and particular amenities or to make a reservation, call (800) 933-PARK.
All campers must receive their confirmation letter and information packet before camping at this park. Carefully and thoroughly read the information you receive. False Cape is unusual and can be unpleasant for those who are unprepared. The packet is generally sent via email, but if you need it sent by postal mail, be sure to allow enough time to receive it. No exceptions. All overnight guests must bring two copies of their confirmation letter. One must be placed on the dashboard of their vehicle; the other clipped to the site marker.
Because False Cape is very primitive and has unusually restrictive access, reservations are not available online. For safety's sake, please take the time to carefully read and follow the information below.
Parking is never available at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge for overnight guests. Campers must instead park at the Little Island City Park, leave a copy of their confirmation letter on the dashboard, and walk from five to nine miles through Back Bay Refuge to the park’s campsites.
Pets are not allowed access to the park through the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. See below for more information.
Beach camping is subject to tides. During significant high tide events, the park may close the campsites.
All park guests are subject to Back Bay Refuge and Little Island City Park's rules and regulations.
Campers must be out of the refuge before sunset when arriving and departing False Cape State Park.
Be prepared for biting insects during summer. They are very common.
Little Island City Park in Virginia Beach - the place from which most visitors depart to False Cape - is closed on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, at noon the day prior to Thanksgiving Day, on Thanksgiving Day, at noon on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day.
On days when the lot is closed, False Cape staff will meet incoming and outgoing campers at 1 p.m. sharp to let current campers depart and incoming campers enter with enough time to hike, bike and set up camp before nightfall (about 5 p.m.)
From Interstate 64, exit on to Indian River Road East. Go 13 miles, then turn left onto Newbridge Road, then right onto Sandbridge Road. Next, turn right onto Sandpiper Road to Little Island City Park. Parking fees required Memorial Day to Labor Day. Day use only parking also is available at Back Bay Wildlife Refuge
Camping is permitted year-round, but reservations are required. Same-day reservations aren't taken for False Cape. Campsites at the park are in four distinct areas - Barbour Hill Bay, Barbour Hill Ocean, False Cape Landing Bay and False Cape Landing Ocean - which are separated by significant distances. For camping information, contact the Customer Service Center at 1-800-933-7275.
The park accommodates tents-only primitive camping. Drinking water is available at three locations in the Barbour Hill area (one by the contact station and two in the camping areas). False Cape Landing campers must bring their own containers to transport water from the water source. Water that's adequate for washing dishes but not for drinking is available in the False Cape Landing area. There are several pit (i.e., non-flushing) toilets. Open fires are not permitted; camp stoves may be used for cooking. Carry everything in and everything out.
Campers should also be aware that groups of 10 or must get a special-use permit from the refuge at least two weeks in advance of their trip. There's no vehicular access to this park. Passage by foot or bicycle only, and only during daylight hours, is allowed through the refuge. Vehicular access through the refuge and False Cape State Park is prohibited, and violators will be prosecuted for trespassing.
First thing to know about this park is you cannot get to it except by foot, bike, or horseback. It’s about 3.3 miles on gravel to the park from Back Bay. An additional 1.2 miles to the visitor’s center.
We happened to go to the Visitor’s Center when they were doing a fundraiser where they were handing out free hot dogs, watermelon, brownies, and drinks which really hit the spot! The visitor’s center also has a bunch of information about the park, maps, and sites to see, nice clean restrooms, and a place to refill water bottles (although to be honest the water tasted a bit strange).
Within False Cape is the old abandoned community of Wash Woods. It’s about 3-4 miles on gravel to the community from the entrance of False Cape. The old church steeple is now enclosed within a little building I’m assuming to help preserve it. This is a great thing, but at the same time it is now very hard to see because of the glare on the glass. And the glass doors cannot be opened. The cemetery is a nice place as well. I love the seashells in front of the graves. Be careful there because we found a black widow! It was very underwhelming after I waited 4 years to see it, but it was still a nice place to visit and learn about.
We also went to False Cape Landing. The beach was about 0.7 miles from the main trail. There are restrooms and campsites along the trail to the beach. We had the entire beach to ourselves! It was beautiful and the water was nice. I’m sure I would’ve been able to find some nice seashells if I had walked along the beach but we chose not to. There were a lot of horseshoe crabs too!
The total trip I think was about 14 miles entirely on gravel. It took about an hour and a half to get from False Cape Landing back to Back Bay. The gravel made the biking significantly harder. I’m not in good shape so I’m sure that’s part of it, but keep that in mind travel time when going here.
We did the 4 hour Saturday tram tour. It was excellent. Bob Baxter was our guide & Jim did the driving. We had a great time
False Cape State Park is a remote and beautiful park located on the Currituck Banks Peninsula in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The park is only accessible by foot or bicycle, which means that it is relatively uncrowded and offers a truly wild and natural experience.
The park's main attractions are its pristine beaches and its diverse wildlife. The beaches are some of the most beautiful in the area, and they are often deserted, even during peak season. The wildlife in the park is also abundant, and you may see dolphins, sea turtles, herons, egrets, and a variety of other birds.
There are a few different camping areas in the park, and all of them offer stunning views of the ocean or the marshes. The campsites are primitive, but they are well-maintained and offer everything you need for a comfortable stay.
If you are looking for a truly unique and wild camping experience, then False Cape State Park is the perfect place for you. The park is a great place to escape the crowds and to enjoy the beauty of nature.
Here are some pros and cons of False Cape State Park:
Pros:
Pristine beaches
Diverse wildlife
Remote and uncrowded
Beautiful scenery
Primitive camping
Cons:
No vehicular access
Long hike or bike ride to reach the park
Bugs can be a problem in the summer
Overall, False Cape State Park is a great place to go if you are looking for a remote and wild camping experience. The park is beautiful and offers a variety of activities, including hiking, biking, swimming, and fishing. However, it is important to be aware of the limitations of the park, such as the lack of vehicular access and the potential for bugs.
Here are some tips for visiting False Cape State Park:
Bring plenty of water, especially if you are hiking or biking to the park.
Wear insect repellent in the summer.
Be aware of the tides and do not camp on the beach if the tide is coming in.
Respect the wildlife and do not disturb them.
The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is the signs and information can be mildly misleading. Be prepared to walk a lot. It is at least a five mile walk just to get to the entrance of the park. The seclusion and undisturbed nature is very cool can’t wait to return with a bike to be able to see more in a day.
I enjoyed the hike out to the park. The staff I met were very knowledgeable and helpful. I spent the day exploring and planning for a camping trip later in the year. The welcome center was an oasis. I enjoyed sitting on the porch in a rocking chair. I can't wait to get back.
