False Cape State Park

Beautiful, wild, landscape with basic amenities for campers. There was a shower, toilet stall, and potable water at the camp site which was nice. Biking is easy until you get to the beach! Bring bug spray and long pants/sleeves!

The east and west dike paths are best on bike, since I learned the hard way that my round-trip was over 10 miles and mostly on gravel roads. The scenery is gorgeous and there were some waterfowl but not much else. The gift shop at False Cape has lovely bathrooms and water refill station, in addition to a line of rocking chairs out front. The path to the ocean is dirt for a bit then deep sand, but there is a bike rack on the left just before the primitive campsites; if you bike, I recommend chaining up there and walk to beach a little farther over dunes. Beach is lovely and has amazing seashells!

False Cape State Park offers beautiful and unique scenery, making it a one-of-a-kind destination. However, during our visit, extremely hot weather and biting insects made the bike ride in less enjoyable, especially for families with young children. While the natural beauty is undeniable, visitors should be prepared for challenging conditions depending on the season.

We kayaked into False Cape from the bay side of Little Island Park—challenging, but absolutely worth it. Paddling through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge was a highlight, with sightings of eagles, ospreys, otters, and plenty of other wildlife along the way. Camping at False Cape isn’t full-on backcountry, but it’s pretty close. There’s a ranger station and some basic facilities, but no fires are allowed and the bugs are no joke—come prepared. The reward? Six miles of undeveloped beach, 15+ miles of well-maintained trails, and the rare chance to see the sunrise over the Atlantic and set over the bay, all from the same patch of wild land. We didn’t make it to the Wash Woods historic site this time, but it’s at the top of our list for the next trip. Big thanks to the staff at the ranger station—they were incredibly helpful and friendly. If you're looking for a remote, peaceful, and wildlife-rich adventure just outside the reach of the city, False Cape delivers.

Love riding our bikes here, there is alot to see along the trails although I highly recommend a fat bike for the sand! We were able to ride our bike down to the border of N.C. and back.