The southern end of False Cape State Park borders North Carolina, and it is possible to bike or hike to the border on the Sandbridge Trail or the beach. From the Back Bay parking lot, the trip will be about
10 miles
, one way.
Why is False Cape called False Cape?
History. The park is named False Cape
because from the ocean it could be easily mistaken for Cape Henry
, which lies about 20 miles (32 km) to the north at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Ships and boats looking for Cape Henry instead sailed into the shallow waters, where they could easily run aground.
Is Back Bay Wildlife Refuge open?
Refuge grounds are
open sunrise to sunset, daily
.
Can you fish in the Back Bay?
The freshwater creeks feeding into the bay have largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill.
Bank fishing is limited and available only in some of the tributary creeks
. Some fishing is available at the state-owned boat ramps on Mill Landing Road, Back Bay Landing Road, and some private ramps.
What type of water is Back Bay?
Back Bay, a
brackish lake
, provides excellent fishing and crabbing along the western border of this unique park.
Can you drive on the beach in False Cape State Park?
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.
Can you bike at Back Bay?
Access is through the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and is
limited to hiking, bicycling or boating
. The park features primitive camping and an extensive environmental education program in one of the last undisturbed coastal environments on the East Coast. Hiking, bicycle trails, self-guided trails.
How do you get to False Cape State Park?
You cannot drive to False Cape State Park. Instead, you must
park your car at Back Bay, then walk, bike or take the tram four miles to the visitor center
. The visitor center is on the far north end of False Cape State Park, which means that from here you have access to only a few trails and overlooks.
What time does Back Bay close?
Numerous reptiles and amphibians rely on the habitats of Back Bay NWR, including cottonmouths (water moccasins), which are seen frequently. The refuge is open daily, 1⁄2 hour before sunrise to
1⁄2 hour after sunset
.
Are dogs allowed at False Cape State Park?
Pets are allowed at False Cape State Park
, however they are not permitted access through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Where is False Cape located?
Located in
southern Virginia Beach
, and running all the way down to the Virginia and North Carolina border, False Cape is a mile-wide barrier spit between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean offering primitive beachfront camping, where you can camp in near complete isolation right on the beach.
Where are the seals in Virginia Beach?
Seals are often seen by the
Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and along Virginia’s Eastern Shore
, although they’ve been occasionally spotted in the Maryland portion of the Bay as far north as Baltimore.
Is Back Bay freshwater or saltwater?
Back Bay is Virginia’s 25,000-acre pond behind the dunes. It’s just a small piece of the huge
freshwater
lake that extends deep into North Carolina, where they call it Currituck Sound. Once Back Bay was famous for its great bass fishing and superb water-fowl hunting.
What is a Back Bay fishing?
Back bay water is shallow, allowing the angler to use light tackle appropriate for the size of the fish
. The back-bay waters provide a spectacular environment for Back-Bay Waters summer flounder fishing. The water is shallow, which allows the angler to use light tackle appropriate for the size of the fish.
Can you fish in Newport Back Bay?
Newport Bay:
There’s something for every angler here, whether you’re inshore fishing from a boat, casting from the shore, or kayak fishing
. The upper sections of the bay are marshy, sandy, and rocky – aka the perfect habitat for fish! Hook Calico and Sand Bass, Halibut, and Barracuda.
Is Back Bay tidal?
That’s because Back Bay, a huge basin of freshwater,
is governed by wind tides
. Back Bay drains into North Carolina’s Currituck Sound, and the two are like a long, narrow bathtub.
What Is Back Bay flooding?
Back bay flooding refers to
floods that are not primarily caused by waves crashing over ocean barriers, but by stealthily rising water levels in bays along inland shorelines
. Although ocean waves caused severe damage during Superstorm Sandy in 2012, back bay flooding also caused extensive damage in that storm.
How long is the Back Bay Trail?
The
10.5 mile
Trail is well-signed as it winds around Upper Newport Bay, with scenic stops at places like Upper Castaways Park, the County of Orange’s Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center, the new Back Bay Science Center at Shellmaker Island, and Big Canyon.
Are dogs allowed at Newport Back Bay?
Dogs are allowed in the park
. There are several restrooms along the Back Bay Loop: Castaways Park, Mariners Park, the Interpretive Center, Newport Dunes and within the RV Park.
How long is Newport Back Bay?
Enjoy this
11.40 mile
, loop trail near Newport Beach, California. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 4 h 55 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, mountain biking, and road biking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring.
