Whether you are a resident of Virginia Beach, VA, or just visiting, you cannot go wrong with a visit to one of our amazing state parks. There is always plenty to check out and various activities to enjoy for the whole family, including your furry friend.
Check Out These Virginia State Parks
There are over 4,000 acres of state and city parks in the Virginia Beach area and a 9,000-acre national refuge! You could spend a lifetime simply trying to cover all the acreage that our East Coast parks encapsulate, and the wonder would truly never stop. Here are some of the top state park options to explore by yourself, with your dog, with friends, or with your family:
False Cape State Park
One of the most impressive and exciting state park options is False Cape State Park. It has 6 miles of beach in an ocean-to-freshwater bay and 15.3 miles of biking and hiking trails. The landscapes you will find here include dunes, woodlands, farm fields, salt marshes, and beaches.
There are plenty of places to camp on the beachfront, hike, bike, and boat. You can also connect with the Back Bay National Wildlife area, and you will be able to hike to your campsite if you park at the Little Island City Park in Sandbridge.
First Landing State Park in the Chesapeake Bay
As a registered National Landmark (originally called the Seashore State Park), First Landing State Park is the most visited state park in the area. First Landing State Park itself has 2,888 acres that front the Chesapeake Bay, has 1.25 miles of beach, and includes the famous 7.5 miles Cape Henry Trail.
There are over 19 hiking trails, and you can encounter salt marsh, freshwater ponds, beaches, dunes, forests, tidal marsh, and cypress swamp. And you can camp at First Landing State Park as well as one of the 200 campsites in the back dunes or beachfront.
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
With over 9,000 acres in the park, you will find barrier islands, dunes, beach woodland, freshwater marshes, maritime forest, ponds, and Atlantic Ocean beaches. It is truly a wonder to behold and enjoy! When you want to embrace nature and enjoy losing yourself in the wilderness for an afternoon, this wildlife refuge is the place to go.
Other Great Virginia Beach, VA, Parks
In addition to the list of Virginia’s state parks described above, Virginia Beach has a variety of other great parks and places to visit that any resident or tourist will surely enjoy. These parks include:
- Mount Trashmore Park – features a 60-foot high mountain made of solid waste and clean soil.
- Munden Point Park – a hidden gem on the North Landing River that has 100 acres of lush greenery
- Stumpy Lake Natural Area – great for hiking, walking, and trail running around the lovely Stumpy Lake
- Red Wing Park – perfect for an afternoon picnic surrounded by beautiful gardens, including the Reba S. McClanan Fragrance Garden
- Chesapeake Bay Center – if you are looking for information and an environmental education center, this is the place to go. The visitor information center offers all you need to know about the First Landing State Park and has wet ad touch tanks.
Whether you are on the south side of the North Virginia Beach area, there is always something to do or a new world to explore.
Contact Our Virginia-based Dog Training Company
As the best dog training company in Virginia Beach, K9aholics is proud to call this city our home. We are also happy to discuss the variety of fun and exciting things to do in the area, especially with your furry friend, after proper dog training, of course.
Whether you are hoping to hike the Cape Henry Trail in First Landing State Park or check out the huge mountain of Mount Trashmore Park, we can work with you and your dog to ensure that you both will have a great time. We will make sure that your dog will be good around other dogs and people and will not pull you around the park.
From obedience training to off-leash training, our expert dog trainers can show you how to work well with your dog and have the best possible time at one of our many amazing national parks. Contact our company for the most exceptional dog training services available to you. Call us to schedule a free phone consultation with one of our coastal city dog trainers!
