Our most popular trail offers a close look at bald cypress trees and knees along with cypress swamp habitat. Boardwalks and observation decks provide unique areas to watch and listen for frogs, woodpeckers and turtles. The Bald Cypress Trail is 1.5 miles in length but can be shortened by returning to the Visitor Center on Cape Henry Trail. The terrain is mostly level with a few uphill climbs on beautifully forested dunes. This is a self-guided interpretative trail with a booklet that describes points of interest and discusses the natural history of First Landing/Seashores's Natural Area. The booklet is available in the Visitor Center for a small fee.
The Bald Cypress Trail is a 1.5-mile interpretive trail through First Landing State Park featuring elevated boardwalks and observation decks through a pristine cypress swamp ecosystem. This mostly level trail with 3.02 feet of elevation gain offers intimate views of ancient bald cypress trees, their distinctive knees, and abundant wildlife including woodpeckers, frogs, and turtles in their natural habitat.