Explore Miyazaki Japanese Garden

Get to First Landing State Park early. Whether it's a weekday in the summer or a Saturday in the winter, the park will be full of families, bikers, trail runners, dog walkers, and all manner of city folk (from DC, Baltimore, and Richmond) trying to meet their outdoor quota during a vacation or second-home getaway. You'll see why this place is so popular: its cypress swamps and spanish moss will...

This loop starts from the First Landing State Park 64th Street Entrance parking lot. There is a $7 entrance fee to the State Park (it increases to $10 between April - October on the weekends), which can be paid when you arrive. When looking at the trail map I wanted to find a loop that would cover the most diverse area of the South part of the park so I started walking North along the Cape Henr...

It's hard to beat an outdoor adventure that keeps you near the ocean's edge. For this destination, getting there is possibly the best part. The trail is well kept and level; perfect for an easy bike ride or hike. An easy trail due to lack of incline (after all, it is by the sea). For the first few miles, you will follow the dunes where several ramps provide access to the beach. As a wildlife re...

Located in South Eastern Virginia Beach VA, False Cape State Park is only accessible by bike, foot, or tour. To get here, you must head in to Sandbridge Beach and drive south on Sandpiper Road until you pass the Little Island Pier parking on your left. After this point, there will be no more buildings. Stay on this road and you will see the entrance gate to the park, winter is free, but summer ...

At the far south end of Virginia Beach’s Sandbridge community lies a seldom visited natural treasure, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.  The expansive beaches feel wilder than the shores just a few miles north and are littered with the footprints of sandpipers, rather than that of humans.  On the west side, the marsh waters of Back Bay serve as the fishing holes for the Great Blue Heron and a ...

This is an easy hike that meanders a bit more than any of the other trails in the park. It is also the most diverse in what you will see. The trail itself ranges from an easy foot path with a pine needle bed trail then passes through swamps and bog's via well crafted wood boardwalks with great views of the Bald Cypress and Spanish Moss. The trail is a loop hike of about 1.8 miles. If you only h...