Description

This 500-acre preserve along the Chesapeake Bay may be entered on foot. A trail passes through a cordgrass marsh, where a medley of wetland waders can be seen. In wooded patches along the trail, woodland birds, like the eastern towhee, are abundant. The trail ends at a 2.5-mile long sandy beach. During spring, the beach’s dunes are home to the largest colony of least terns on the Atlantic Coast. Black skimmer, American oystercatcher and other shorebirds also frequent the beach. During winter, northern gannets or tundra swans can be spotted as they fly over offshore waters.

Note:

The tip of the Preserve (known as Factory Point) is closed April 1 – Sept 15 to protect migratory birds (mostly least terns, oystercatchers and black skimmers) during their nesting season. Signs are posted.

The whole beach is closed to dogs May 15 – Sept 15.

Directions

Physical Address: State Park Drive, Hampton, VA 23664

From US-258/ E Mercury Blvd in Hampton, turn left onto Fox Hill Rd and continue 2.9 miles. Continue straight onto Silver Isles Blvd. Turn left onto Beach Rd and travel 2.7 miles. Turn left onto State Park Dr. Park along the road and walk to the entrance at the end of the road.

From I-64, take exit 265C toward Armistead Ave/ Langley Air Force Base. Turn left onto Rip Rap Rd. Go 0.5 miles then use the right lane to turn left onto N King St. Turn right to merge onto US-258 N/ E Mercury Blvd. Use the left lanes to turn left onto Fox Hill Rd and continue 2.9 miles. Continue straight onto Silver Isles Blvd. Turn left onto Beach Rd and travel 2.7 miles. Turn left onto State Park Dr. Park along the road and walk to the entrance at the end of the road.