County of Northampton

Nature Trails of Northampton County, VA

Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge  

32205 Seaside Road
Cape Charles, Virginia 23310
(757) 331-2760.

"The visitor center is a great place to start your visit on the Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR, located just north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. The visitor center has exhibits on refuge habitats and wildlife management activities." 






This  WWII  16 inch gun barrel used to be on the U.S.S. Missouri during WWII and the Korean War. It is a favorite point of interest along the trail at the Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge . Photos by William Dyas. 

Magothy Bay State Natural Area Preserve 

4829 Bulls Dr
Cape Charles, VA 23310 

Kiptopeke State Park 

3540 Kiptopeke Dr.
Cape Charles, VA 23310
Phone: 757-331-2267
Email: kiptopeke@dcr.virginia.gov 

Southern Tip Bike and Hike Trail 

• Trail starts at Eastern Shore Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (VC) parking lot (mile marker 0.0)

• There are parking and bathroom facilities at the Refuge Welcome Center.

• Continues north to Cedar Grove Drive- 2.6 miles (parallel to Rt. 13’s northbound lanes).

• At Cedar Grove Drive there is another constructed parking lot- no bathroom facilities. 

• Continues north from Cedar Grove Drive to Capeville Drive- 2.4 miles.

• Ends just south of Cape Center (crosses Townsend Drive) 

• Approximately 5.0 miles total in one direction. 

• Trail 10-foot wide, asphalt surface, 2-foot wide shoulders (14-foot total)

• Bike repair stations and benches are dispersed along the trail. 

• Use for walking and bikes (no horses, ATVs, golf carts) 

Cape Charles Natural Area Preserve 

301 Patrick Henry Avenue
Cape Charles, VA 23310 

Seaside Walkway 

Loblolly pines frame the boardwalk to the seaside overlook. 

• Northampton County has established a nature preserve at the site of the landfill outside of Oyster, which features an approximately half-mile hike along a mowed trail, to a path and boardwalk through a small wooded area, terminating at an overlook platform with a gorgeous view of the barrier islands and seaside lagoons.

• Parking for the trail is located on the east side of Seaside Road, .2 miles south of the intersection with Cobb Station Road, or .3 miles north from the landfill truck entrance on Seaside Road. 

• For larger groups school bus parking or parking closer to the boardwalk for accessibility are available by prior arrangement.

Savage Neck Dunes Natural Preserve Area 

2186 Savage Neck Rd Drive
Eastville, VA 23347  

ATTENTION: Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area Preserve will be closed for hunting on the following dates in 2020:

November 2nd – 6th

November 9th – 13th

The preserve will be open on the weekends during that period.

The beach trail is one of several trails to choose from at Savage Neck Dunes. Photos by Jean E. Flynn 


The trail takes you to a pristine beach. The tiny house at Savage Neck Dunes is a local landmark. 

Indiantown Park 

7399 Indiantown Road
Eastville, VA 23347  

Brownsville Preserve - Virginia Coast Reserve 

11332 Brownsville Road
Nassawadox, VA 23413 

A tree tunnel is a fitting entrance to The Nature Conservancy's Brownsville Preserve. Ferns grow next to the welcome sign. Photos by Jean E. Flynn 


The William B. Cummings Birding and Wildlife Trail is open from sunrise to sunset. A small parking area is at the head of the trail. 


Two roads diverge...the dirt road is a private driveway to the Brownsville House. The gravel road is part of the nature trail and is for foot traffic only. 


Salt grass for miles makes a scenic  seaside view at Brownsville Preserve.

Bay Creek Community 

Bay Creek
3335 Stone Rd
Cape Charles, VA 23310
844-620-2900
info@BAYCREEKLIFE.COM
PRESERVECOMMUNITIES.COM 

"Preserve Communities, which took over the massive Bay Creek community in Cape Charles last year, is designating around 350 acres inside the property as a permanent nature preserve protected against future development, including an area for hiking trails accessible to the public."