Beyond the Boardwalk: A Local's Guide to Virginia Beach's Wild Side

Most visitors never make it past the boardwalk — and honestly, that's their loss. Just a few minutes inland, Virginia Beach turns into a different kind of destination entirely: maritime forests, cypress swamps, quiet trails, and some of the best wildlife-watching on the East Coast. If you're looking to stretch your legs (or your dog's legs) beyond the sand, here's where to go.

First Landing State Park

As Virginia's most-visited state park, First Landing State Park packs an impressive variety of ecosystems into one place — beach, lagoon, marsh, maritime forest, and cypress swamp, all connected by miles of hiking and biking trails. It's also historically significant as the site where English settlers first came ashore in 1607. Whether you're after a quiet morning hike, a kayak trip through the cypress swamp, or simply a different view of the Chesapeake Bay, First Landing delivers all of it within a short drive of the Oceanfront.

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

A little further south, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge offers a completely different pace of life. Dune trails, freshwater marshes, and miles of undeveloped shoreline make it one of the best spots in the region for birdwatching, photography, and simply getting away from it all. It's a favorite for anyone who wants their beach trip to include a little bit of wilderness.

Bike the Boardwalk Without the Crowds

You don't have to leave the Oceanfront to enjoy the outdoors, either. The Virginia Beach Boardwalk has a dedicated bike lane running its full three-mile stretch, and renting a bike or surrey cart is one of the easiest ways to cover more ground — especially in the early morning or evening hours when the path is quieter.

Here's something a lot of first-time visitors don't realize: Virginia Beach is genuinely one of the most dog-friendly destinations on the East Coast. A few things to know before you bring your pup:

• From Labor Day through Memorial Day, dogs are welcome on the boardwalk and most city beaches, no restrictions
• During peak summer months, dogs are allowed on the North End and Sandbridge beaches before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
• Year-round, the boardwalk itself permits leashed dogs during early morning hours in summer

Pair that with miles of trails at First Landing and Back Bay, and you've got a genuinely great destination for traveling with pets — not just one that merely tolerates them.

A vacation rental gives your dog (and the rest of your group) the space a hotel room never could — room to stretch out after a long beach day, no shared elevators, and a backyard or porch to relax on between adventures. Several of our properties are pet-friendly and ideally located for easy access to both the boardwalk and the outdoor spots just beyond it.

👉 Browse our pet-friendly Virginia Beach rentals and bring the whole family — paws included