HAMPTON, Va. — When you think about local beaches, t-shirt shops and bars probably come to mind, but we recently took a walk on a great beach that has none of those things.
Grandview Nature Preserve takes up most of the eastern tip of Hampton along the Chesapeake Bay and the mouth of the Back River.
Most of the 500-acre preserve is salt marsh and tidal creeks, so it's no surprise that the day after a good rain, we had to dodge some big puddles along the trail near the entrance.
Positively Hampton Roads
Take a walk through the trees around around the lake at Oak Grove Lake Park
Helpful historic markers along the path explain the history of this area, from the Powhatan and Kecoughtan Indians to the early English settlers.
After about a 10-minute walk, the trail takes you to a sand dune that opens up to a wide beach along the Chesapeake Bay. The 2-and-a-half mile long beach itself is never too crowded and there's plenty of room for families to spread out and play.
This is a very popular spot for folks searching for sea shells, and you'll always see different varieties of birds nesting throughout the year.
Watch previous Take a Walk: Take a walk through the trees around around the lake at Oak Grove Lake Park
Pets on leashes are welcome only during the fall and winter months. They are banned from April 15 to Sept.15.
Make sure you bring your own poop bags since none are provided. As a matter of fact, because this is a nature preserve, don't expect a lot of amenities. Also know that there is only street parking and it can be in very short supply.
Still it's a beautiful part of Hampton Roads and well worth a visit.
