On the map, this was indistinguishable from nearby Dameron Marsh. Upon arriving, I was surprised by…read morewhat I found here. A short boardwalk leads to a genuine beach, one of the larger and nicer ones I've ever seen on the Chesapeake. Don't get me wrong, nobody's surfing on the little waves the bay generates, but it's still got a nice beach aesthetic and a good view. Several cautions are warranted, including the obvious risks of biting insects (not so much on the beach, but definitely on the inland track) and jellyfish. But I was surprised when a local told me that some of the marshy areas and the stream where a lagoon flows into the bay are prone to developing quicksand, to the point where people can get seriously stuck. (Unlike in movies, quicksand is not likely to drown you on its own but I still would not want to step in it). So watch out for that and bring some bug spray. Plant and animal life was abundant, and between the forest, the marsh, and the beach, there was a variety of scenery. So little of the bay is open to the public and preserved in this way. And this is not a park per se, and so unlike most state parks, this is free to enter. The parking area is small, and signage says they do not allow parking outside the lines, so visitation will be limited simply by space. But if you see a space open there, I'd take it.

This park is fantastic. There are only 11 parking spaces, so access is limited. The trail through…read morethe woods is beautiful. Some of the trail is raised wooden platforms. The beach is amazing. It is rustic and beautiful with marshlands and wildlife. There are two hiking options. One is interior and goes in the woods. The other is beachfront. Both trails are great. There is one point where there is a small inland marshy lake. It is usually connected to the bay. The water here is usually flowing in or out depending on the tide. Be very careful trying to cross because the sand is soft and you could get stuck. It is remote, so you might not easily get help. The wildlife in this area is great. Sometimes I have seen hundreds of flapping rays just off shore. Birds, fish you never know. Fo and enjoy this special treasure.

Amazing little public beach. Yes it's small but it's mighty and still an amazing beach to get some…read moreR&R. There is plenty of parking spaces. I came on an early Friday afternoon and there was only one other family so it's nice and peaceful. Even with it being August, the water is still cool and a refreshing temperature. No bathrooms or trash cans from what I can see so plan accordingly.

Considered small compared to other beaches, small area for parking, best to get there early. No…read morebathrooms, bring your own snacks, drinks equipment etc... quieter than Yorktown beach... good for swimming but a fair amount of seaweed. Dogs allowed. I have been before to sunbathe... plan to go in the near future to metal detect and magnet fish. Don't see any posted operation hours on any websites for this beach.

This is a hidden gem at the end of the road. It has a lot going for it, including safe water…read moreexperiences and BATHROOMS!! There are refreshments available in season, and plenty of legal saltwater fishing (cleaning stations included.) Such a surprise and more that I could have hoped for.

Relaxing day, eating lunch on the river/bay. Quiet, quaint and lovely. Stopped by Front Porch…read moreCoffee House and dined by the water before heading back to Richmond.

This is a fun state park to visit! There is a beautiful area by the water that is great for walking.read more

I'm staying in the lovely guest house in the scenic Riverside Belle Idle and couldn't be more…read morepleased. The view from the bay window is phenomenal, the space large and comfortable. We've had trails to wander, seen wildlife, and could even go crabbing, pots provided (both kinds, to catch and cook!). The park is serene and so beautiful with the estuary, river, beachy, and woodsy biomes to observe.

This park is near the end of the Delmarva Peninsula. It has a beach, albeit not a huge one as…read morecliffs with private homes are visible in either direction. The site is notable for some abandoned ships offshore that look like interesting ruins to tour by boat. I experienced no great difficulty getting in and this is one of a finite number of parks on the bay side of the Eastern shore, so it is a good place to check out.

Beautiful park with many trails to pick from. Benches available throughout the park. Trails well…read morekept and flat. Great for birding!

Hanging out on this beach in October made me feel like I'd somehow stolen a secret summer. The…read moreweather was lovely, the sand was perfect, and the water was balmy. I refuse to comment on whether or not I ignore warning signs. ps. Sunset here is lovely too!

If you go to the waterfront of Cape Charles, but you've neglected to bring your swimsuit, just kick…read moreoff your shoes on the clean white sand, roll up your pants, and wade out about 100 feet. The slope of the beach is very gradual, the water temp in mid-October was fabulous, and there was only the occasional dog walker. Some big rocks are good to lay on, if you are the type to ignore warning signs (you know who you are!)

We enjoyed a cold winter day on the beach. I'm sure during the summer. It is absolutely beautiful…read moreand a great place to vacation. However, come during the winter. It is just as beautiful and the small town of Cape Charles is so fun.

We go at least twice a year to Cape Charles. One of our favorite beaches! The kids can walk "a…read moremile away" from the shore line and the water will still be waist high on them. We love the fact there are no waves and that there is plenty of shops and eatery near by!

I'm fairly new to the area, and I am so glad that we found this diamond in the rough…read more We visited Colonial Beach (technically estuary, I think) during a weekday near the end of June, and it was exactly what we were looking for. During our four hours at the beach, I think we saw only 10-13 people in our area. This was absolutely perfect for me because I was looking for a quiet, chill beach experience. Since we visited during the week, parking was not a hassle. The walk from our parking spot to the beach was less than 5 minutes on foot. Also, parking was about $2 an hour, which is not bad because some places charge $5+ per hour. I would image that parking probably is a nightmare during the weekends. From other reviews, I guess we lucked out because we did not have any interaction with jellyfish. Although I saw information about shops and business along the boardwalk, we did not visit any local businesses during our trip. *Hopefully, we'll have a chance to check out some shops during our next visit.* However, I think a lot of places were closed anyway because we did not see many people on the boardwalk in general. If you are used to (or looking for) crystal blue water and fine sand on a beach, this beach might not before you. The water is dark (you're technically in the Potomac River) and the beach itself is quite rocky. I think if you visit without high expectations of experiencing a beach off of the Amalfi Coast or somewhere in the Caribbean, I think you will be fine with a very low-key beach/estuary/river adventure at CBVA.

It was quiet. It wasn't crowded. It was peaceful... BUT... it's so many rocks and bugs in the…read moresand... like millions of these sand flea black crab looking things... it was a very uncomfortable situation. So glad we had chairs because sitting on that beach blanket was awful. Probably won't be back... but it is okay

We had a very nice stay. The fossil beach area was pretty cool, the beach area on the other side…read moreand stairs to get there was a nice walk, and the historical aspect of the park as a whole is great. Worth a stay if in the area.

We arrived a day early and with the exception of the totally clueless young girl staffing the main…read moreentrance booth the staff at the visitors center were kind, knowledgeable and super efficient. They quickly assigned us pull through hook up site A06. Our site and fire pit were super clean as were the bathroom facilities which even had a nice laundry room. The view from the visitor center is breathtaking and the surrounding trails well manicured. Fossils Beach was a high point with an easy hiking level. Our camp host in A1 was very friendly and cleaned every site as it was vacated. I'd highly recommend this State Park gem while visiting VA.

Came here on a Saturday night about two hours before sunset. Wonderful chill place to dip your feet…read morein. You can almost miss the turn if you're not careful. I was the only one there for most of my two hour time.

A quiet small waterfront with a short pier that is great for fishing. Wonderful views of the…read moreNanticoke River.