Hours: Dawn to Dusk.  24 Hours when camping.  There are also many special events offered by the Park Staff that occur after dark.

Cost: Day Hiking = Admission to False Cape is free.  However you will have to pay an admission fee to Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.  $2.00 per person / $5.00 per car.  You MUST cross through BBNWR to gain entry to False Cape, (about 4 miles to the False Cape entrance).  Hint – BBNWR is open Dawn to dusk.  The visitors Center and front entrance is not open until 8:00am.  If you get there before the entrance is manned, entry to Back Bay is free.

Camping = $12.00 per campsite per night. Check in/out is at 4:00 pm.

You MUST park at Little Island City Park, (about ½ mile before you get to BBNWR.  Parking is typically $5 – $10 from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Hint – LICP gate is not manned until 9:00am.  If you get there before the attendant, it’s free.  It is also free the rest of the year.  You will then need to pass through BBNWR.  See above costs for BBNWR.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED for camping at FCSP.  All information for making reservations are on the FCSP website.  Note:  You cannot reserve online, you will be forced to speak to an actual person.  The Commonwealth of Virginia wants you to be absolutely sure what you are getting yourself into BEFORE you spend the night in this park.  (Don’t let ‘em scare you.)

Parking:  There are NO privately owned vehicles allowed in False Cape State Park.

Day Hikers may park from dawn to dusk at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Overnight campers MUST park at Little Island City Park and bike or hike in.  There are VERY SPECIFIC PARKING INSTRUCTIONS for campers.  Please see the FCSP website for specifics.

Mileage: Approximately 20 miles of advertised beach, dune, and forest trails.  There are actually about 25 miles of trails if you count several staff access roads that are not listed on the park map that you may use.

NC STATE LINE – Beach Hiking mileage – AWESOME DAY HIKES!
12 miles one way from Little Island City Park
9 miles one way from BBNWR Visitor Center
6 miles one way from FCSP entrance.

Terrain: Inner Trails – Typically crush and run or fine gravel roads.  Soft sand on the southernmost 2 miles.
Dune trails – Soft sand
Beach – Beach

Difficulty:  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 – Due to the distance you must travel before  to the park and the soft sand.  The park trails themselves are on average about a 4.

Conveniences: There is a Contact Station .5 miles from the entrance on the main entry road.  There is a gift shop.  They sell head nets.  YOU WILL NEED ONE.  Bring your own, as they are typically sold out early in the day.  They will offer you a drink of water, but there are no sodas, snacks, or food of any kind. You may also rent a GPS to try your hand at Geocaching.

Suggestions: Go early.  I typically park in the REQUIRED spot at Little Island City Park at 6:00 am.  It’s free.  I then pass through Back Bay before the entrance gate is manned.  It’s free.  I ALWAYS take my bike and ride through Back Bay.  I usually arrive at my campsite between 7:00 – 7:30am.  Check in time is not until 4:00pm, but if there is no one there, have at it.  If someone is there, go hang out on the beach or bike the park to get the lay of the land before you hike

DO NOT RESERVE CAMPSITE #5!!!  If you are forced to reserve this site, stay on the beach, not in the dunes.  The dune site is an InterSNAKE highway.  Snakes crawl through this site continually throughout the day.  The last time I was forced to stay at this site I saw 47 snakes crawl through.  It may have been the same 4 or 5 snakes, but WOW, way too much drama.  These are Cotton Mouths!  They are poisonous! 

Website: False Cape State Park –  http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/fal.shtml

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge – http://www.fws.gov/backbay/

The Park

Back Bay is a 9,000+ acre National Wildlife Refuge located on a barrier spit between the Atlantic Ocean and Back Bay in southeastern Virginia Beach, Virginia.  Habitats on the refuge include the beach, dunes, woodland, farm fields, and marsh.

The plethora of wildlife in the refuge is astounding.  Thousands of snow geese, Canada geese, and a large duck population call Back Bay home, especially during the late fall.  Several man-made “impoundments”, or small lakes, have been created to enhance this habitat for water fowl.

Back Bay is home to other wildlife, such as sea turtles, piping plovers, peregrine falcons, bald eagles, egrets, blue herons, brown pelicans, deer, feral pigs, snapping turtles, fox, snakes and many, many others.

Back Bay is a bird watchers dreams come true.  I saw more different types of birds in one out and back hike than I have ever seen anywhere on this planet.  On the west side of the refuge, the birds tend to be more land based birds, while on the east side more shore birds and water fowl.

If you are into wildlife photography, this is the place for you.  There are several locations in the refuge where blinds have been built for that specific purpose.

If you are all about the hiking part of the hike, the ups and downs, and winding around; this hike is going to bore you to tears.  The hike itself is pretty self explanatory.  Look at the Park map, pick a road, and start walking.  The refuge trails are basically gravel roads around and in between the borders of the 3 square impoundments, or small lakes. When I say gravel, I’m not talking crush and run.  Please wear GOOD shoes.  You’re going to need them.  My recommendation for this hike is to bike on the interior trails and hike on the beach.  Make sure you have a comfy bicycle seat.

There are no awe inspiring landmarks on the interior trails.  Back Bay is flat and full of wildlife.

Enjoy it for what it is.

The beach at BBNWR is awesome.  It is about 6 miles long from North to South.  The first mile is closed to humans as it is a refuge within the refuge for loggerhead turtles and endangered shore birds, such as the piping plover.   The southern 5 miles is for the most part a deserted beach. You will probably see less than a dozen people on the entire 6 mile beach, except at the boardwalks near the Visitor Center.

As this beach is off the beaten path, not a big tourist attraction, and no beach sweepers clean it up every day, driftwood and shells are plentiful.  This means that any lost or cast away, manmade items such as soda bottles, beach balls, Styrofoam coolers, etc. have also washed up on the beach.  Do the refuge a favor.  Along with your shelling container, bring a trash bag and fill it up before you leave.

There is NO swimming or sunbathing allowed on the beach.  However, you can wear the skimpiest bikini in your wardrobe and walk the beach.  You may also sit on the beach and read a book or eat your lunch.  Just don’t bring your beach umbrella.

Surf fishing is allowed at Back Bay.  Be sure to call or stop by the Visitor Center to get the low down on the rules and regulations BEFORE you cast your line.  A Commonwealth of Virginia Salt Water Fishing License is also required.

Our Recommendations

Make a weekend out of it.

Day 1 – Bike the interior gravel roads, explore the park, and enjoy the wildlife and photo opportunities.  Camp overnight in False Cape State park in the Barboursville camping section, located at the southern boundary of Back Bay. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED! Again, see the False Cape State Park website for specifics.

Day 2 – Hike/Bike the beach at low tide and enjoy a deserted beach and shelling.

Bring plenty of water and/or containers.  You’re going to need them!  Water is only available at the BBNWR Visitor Center, FCSP Contact Station, and at the Barboursville campsites.

A huge thank you to trail review contributor Lee Inman for submitting this report. Watch out for more reports in the future coming from Lee and also be sure to visit his own site at Spudpage.

This post just features the Fast Facts about the BBNWR. To read a full trip report on the area, please see our follow up article, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Detailed Trip Report.

Locality: Virginia Beach, Virginia

Hours: Dawn to Dusk most days.  Summer and winter hours may vary.

Cost: $2.00 per person or $5.00 per car to hike or bike.  You can also purchase a Duck Stamp and get unlimited visits for the year, (about $20).  Hint – If you get there before the Visitor Center is open and the refuge gate is manned, (8:00 or 9:00am), entry is free.

Parking: Parking is available at the Visitor Center for day visitors to Back Bay.  Overnighter campes at False Cape State Park must park at Little Island City Park and Hike/Bike in.  See the False Cape State Park website for specifics

Mileage: Approximately 15 miles of trails; 18 miles if you include about 3 miles through False Cape State Park to make a loop and return via the beach.

Time: Hiking – 5-6 hours of humping.  Longer if you stop and smell the roses; Biking – 2-3 hours to do the loop.  You can ride on the beach at low tide with wide tires

Terrain: Inner trails – rough gravel roads; Beach/Dunes – boardwalk and sand

Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 – Due to summer heat, rough gravel, soft sand

Conveniences: Visitors Center has water, restrooms, trash bins.  There are NO conveniences on the trails.  Open 8:00am – 4:00pm weekdays and 9:00am – 4:00pm on weekends

Suggestions: Always call the refuge or check the website before planning a hike at BBNWR, especially if you plan on hiking between September and April.  BBNWR is a wildlife refuge, and sometimes will close specific sections for various reasons.

Web Site: Back Bay       http://www.fws.gov/backbay/

False Cape    http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/fal.shtml

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Dismal Falls

Description: A short, easy hike along the Appalachian Trail that takes you to a small waterfall nestled between Brushy and Flat Top mountain. The hike in is nothing special except for the fact that you follow one of the new sections of the AT.

Dismal Falls is a side trail of about 0.2 miles off the AT and is a welcome sight on a hot day. Dismal Falls is roughly 15 feet high and with the muddy bottom it is perfect for jumping off. If your looking for a quick hike and a place to relax then this hike is designed for you. However, do not expect to be alone at this water fall.

There is an access road only 20 yards from the falls. In the heat of the summer the falls seems to be a local pool, but atleast it’s clean.

Directions: There are two access points for the Falls. One off the Appalachian Trail and a much shorter trail. Here are directions to both.

Appalachian Trail route: From Pulaski: Take route 11 North to route 100. Take 100 North till 42. There is a little roadside stand with fresh fruit. Take 42 West for about 8 miles. You will pass through White Gate and route 606 will be on the right. The AT junction is only 2/10 of a mile. Take the AT North and your only 2 miles from the falls.

Short walk from road: Take exit 98 from I-81 going north on VA-100. Go 11.6 miles and turn left on VA-42. After 10.1 miles turn right on SR-606. After 1 mile, turn right on SR-671 which becomes unpaved after .4 miles. .5 miles after the pavement ends, there is a sign for the falls and a small pull-off on the right of the road.

Contact Information:
Blacksburg Ranger Station
5162 Valleypointe Parkway
Roanoke, Virginia 24019
(888) 265-0019

Directions: Starting from Blacksburg, VA drive west on 460W towards Giles County for about 7 miles. Turn right onto Mt. Lake Rd. and follow it to the top to the Mt. Lake Hotel. Year-round parking for hikers is now available at the new Trail Access parking lot, 9/10ths of a mile past the Mountain Lake Hotel entrance on your right. There you will find a kiosk with a trail map and other information.

Bald Knob Trail Sign

Trail Distance: ~2 miles round trip

Fees: $3.00 per vehicle for day use/$20.00 for a yearly Trail Access pass

A trail map and trail details can be found on the Mountain Lake Conservancy website. Besides the Bald Knob trail, there are also many others in the Mountain Lake area that you can check out.

Bald Knob in Winter (Picture from Mountain Lake Conservancy)

Location: Pembroke, VA – Jefferson National Forest/Cascades Recreation Area

Driving Directions: Take exit 118 on I-81 north on US-460, making sure to use the bypasses around Christiansburg   and Blacksburg. After 26.6 miles turn right on Cascade Dr (SR-T623) in Pembroke.  The entrance is in 3.3 miles.

Finding the Trail: Find the trailhead at the upper end of the parking lot. The Cascades National Scenic Trail follows Big Stoney Creek upstream, eventually forking into an upper and lower trail. If the lower trail is open, take it because it is definitely the more beautiful of the two. The upper trail ascends the gorge, continuing to follow the stream, albeit at a distance. It eventually descends again to the stream to meet the lower trail. The lower trail follows the stream closely past beautiful cascades and pools. After the trails rejoin, they snake their way through the narrow gorge between high cliff walls. After passing an old stone building, the falls come into view.

Trail Distance: Total hike is 4.0 miles round trip over sometimes steep terrain on a sometimes rough and often muddy path.

More details about the trail and hike can be found at the Giles County website – http://gilescounty.org/cascades.html

Park Fee: $3.00 per vehicle

For More Information call:
540-552-4641
Jefferson National Forest

Cascade Falls - Pembroke, VA

Cascade Falls - Pembroke, VA during Winter

Now – just a side note – the above picture is not mine and I do not know the person in it. However, it captures the beauty of the falls in the winter so I went with it. If it is yours, email me and I’ll gladly give you credit.

In the winter when the falls have frozen or are close to freezing was my favorite time to hit this trail.

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“For solitude on the northern stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway, skip the hordes at Humpback Rocks and drive southwest to MP 18.5. After parking, cross the parkway and look for the White Rock Falls trail marker. Follow the yellow-blazed trail as it unfurls beside lichen-covered rocks and gurgling White Rock Creek. The trail crosses the creek after 1.4 miles, where you’ll find boulder-lined pools ready-made for wading.

To finish the loop, rock-hop across the creek to switchbacks that travel close to the falls, tempering the scenic pay-off with a steep, 400-foot climb. An easy-to-miss side trail before the last switchback leads to hidden, but stellar views of the 35-foot falls. Once at the top, snap a photo of Priest Mountain then continue over rippling brooks and small wooden bridges. At the parkway, follow the trail across the road to Slacks Overlook, visible to your left. From the overlook, walk right to pick up the blue-blazed Slacks Overlook Trail, a narrow multi-use trail shared with mountain bikers. Turn right at White Rock Gap Trail (a left leads to Sherando Lake Campground) and continue for a half-mile back to your car.

-Mapped by Amy C. Balfour”

To view the full details of the trip, the trail, the submitted pictures, and the coordinates, you can head to the Backpacker.com website – White Rock Falls Trail

The festival featured the National Strawberry Eating Contest, lots of food vendors, all sorts of craft vendors and tents set up with goods for sale, games for kids, and more. Below are some pictures and a short (~15 second) video of the bagpipe band from Winchester that was there.

Even though it went to a good cause (Emmanuel Church) I still feel like $20 per car was a bit pricey to charge as entrance, especially for those of us who just came with two people (like us). If it was a family of 5 or bigger group, then the flat rate was worth it. I’d like to see a per person charge up to a certain number of people. I think that would even attract more people being more affordable. But, still, the parking “lot” was packed with tons of cars – so congrats on a great success for the 16th annual festival.

With things on the agenda like children’s games, live entertainment, hayrides, crafts, puppet shows and raffles, you don’t want to miss out. Oh, and I better not forget the National Strawberry Eating Championship offering an amatuer and professional round. View the full list of activities on their website.

Hopefully we’ll come home with some good pictures, videos, and maybe a story or two. The weather for the weekend looks good during the days so it should be a great time.

It’s a bit pricey in my opinion to get in – $20 per car for a one day pass (it runs Saturday and Sunday) – so it better be worth it and not rain! Get the full low down on the festival at the Delaplane Strawberry Festival website!