Cape Henry Lighthouse and 1st Landing State Park (Va)

On our way to Va's Eastern Shore, my wife and I decided to stay on the mainland side of the Bay: 1st Landing (Va) State Park, on Cape Henry.

This cape is outside the Hampton Roads/Chesapeake Bay area of Tidewater and sits on the Atlantic Ocean. This is the site where the first colonists from England stayed on their way to Jamestown, further upstream.

First Landing State Park is open year round. RV's get to park nestled in between the large sand dunes, right on the ocean!

This park is strategically poised right adjacent to Fort Story, which houses both the original Cape Henry Lighthouse (first in the US) and the newer, operational Cape Henry Lighthouse. In addition, you are just 5 minutes north of Va Beach, with its boardwalk and associated amenities. And, you are a short jump to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel going north on US Rt#13 to the Eastern Shore.

During our first evening in the RV, fog was setting in from the ocean just as we set up. We listened to (and occasionally saw the lights o ) the ships at anchor, who would cross over the Bay Bridge Tunnel on their way up the Bay.

Previous RV, nestled in the sand dunes

Map showing Cape Henry, plus start of Chesapeake Bay Bridge TunnelWalk to the beach from our camp site
View of nearby boardwalk to the beach
Ships waiting for a pilot before crossing over the Bay Bridge Tunnel

The current Cape Henry Lighthouse, located on the grounds of Fort Story

An interesting section of the lighthouse

Still foggy, a view Old Cape Henry Lighthouse

View looking up into the dome of lighthouse

Looking down from the top of the lighthouse. I like the lines here.

The afternoon sun began casting shadows.

One of the original set of buildings on Va Beach's boardwalk

More shadows as you look out into the Atlantic Ocean

I like these shadows, late in the afternoon

Dune grass

Ships are lining up for the next day's transit

Gorgeous sunset