First Landing State Park Cape Henry Trail & Autumn Coastal Family Stroll

About this adventure

First Landing State Park, Virginia's most-visited state park where English colonists first stepped ashore in 1607, offers a peaceful Thanksgiving weekend wilderness retreat along the Chesapeake Bay. Families meet at the Trail Center off Shore Drive to embark on autumn nature walks along the wide, crushed-gravel Cape Henry Trail and wooden boardwalks meandering through mystical cypress swamps draped with Spanish moss. Park rangers provide self-guided autumn scavenger hunt booklets encouraging children to identify wintering waterfowl, ancient maritime live oaks, and fallen bald cypress needles. After wandering through serene freshwater lagoons and protected maritime forest, families can stroll across to the bay beach side to collect seaside shells and watch cargo ships navigate the Chesapeake Bay shipping channels. Family Experience & Accessibility: • Stroller Accessibility: Cape Henry Trail features wide, hard-packed sandy gravel easily traversed by jogging and all-terrain strollers; boardwalks are level with safety kickplates. • Nursing & Rest Spots: Restrooms and sheltered picnic tables located at the Trail Center and Bay Oasis contact station, providing serene, shaded nursing spots. • Age Suitability: Perfect for all ages; older children enjoy forest trail exploration while toddlers appreciate boardwalk views and sandy beach exploration. • Sensory Tips: Exceptionally peaceful with gentle natural sounds of rustling marsh grasses, wind through maritime pines, and lapping bay waters.