Osmanthus Trail

Osmanthus Trail is a named route within First Landing State Park; use this mapped trailhead and confirm grade, surface, closures and return distance.

Paid lots serve two different sides of Shore Drive. Use the north side for the Chesapeake Bay Center, beach, campground and cabins; use the south side for the Trail Center, picnic area and most trails. Weekends can reach capacity and arriving vehicles are then turned away.

Day-use areas are open daily 7:00 a.m.-dusk. The office and Chesapeake Bay Center are open 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; the Trail Center is open 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. This feature may have shorter, seasonal or daylight-only hours.

Restrooms are available at the visitor and trail centers, developed beach and camping areas, picnic area and Narrows boat ramp. Trail interiors do not have continuous facilities or drinking water.

Parking is $7 on standard days and $10 on weekends from April through October under the current 2026 Virginia State Parks schedule. Camping, cabins, yurts, boat launching and reservations charge separately.

The visitor center, amphitheater and paved approaches are accessible; a beach mat, beach wheelchair and reservable all-terrain wheelchair support wider access. Natural trails, sand and the Narrows remain uneven.

Leashed pets are allowed, and proof of current rabies vaccination should be available. Keep pets away from wildlife, hot sand and crowded swimming areas.

The calm-looking Chesapeake Bay beach, playgrounds, nature exhibits and short Bald Cypress loop can work well for families, but swimming is at your own risk with no lifeguards.

Osmanthus Trail is a named route within First Landing State Park; use this mapped trailhead and confirm grade, surface, closures and return distance. Arrive early on warm weekends. The Chesapeake Bay beach has no lifeguards, strong currents make swimming at the Narrows inadvisable, and cabins are closed during a major renovation project; verify the official reservation inventory rather than relying on an old reopening date. The adjacent military training center may create loud noise at any hour without posing danger to park guests.

Seasonal WAVE service reaches the Shore Drive area. Confirm current routing and the correct side of Shore Drive; the two main activity zones are separated by a busy roadway.