Kiptopeke State Park (Virginia) is a place I have passed by probably 100 times in my lifetime. This fall on our way to North Carolina we stopped to check it out and wow it is a really nice place. The park is located just off U.S. Route 13 about 3 miles north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel on the often forgotten eastern shore of Virginia. As you can see from the pictures the day could not have been nicer weather-wise.
If you hope to launch your boat for fishing in the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay; this is your place. There is a huge parking area for boat trailers. The park also offers yurts and small cabins for camping, has a beach area on the Chesapeake, and numerous hiking trails along the bay and through the wooded area. I may also mention there is a spotless bath house/restroom facility on site. We spent about 3 hours here just walking the boat ramp area, along the beach just to the south, and finally through one of the wooded trails back to the main parking area. There is lots of history with this park.
It's history as a park is relatively brief having just opened in 1992. However, this property has a long history as the northern ferry terminus for the former Little Creek - Cape Charles Ferry Service (Virginia Ferry Corporation). You notice as you drive in the wide 2 lane road, and the huge ferry staging area (now the parking area). Looking around the main parking and boat ramp area you can still see signs of the ferry service (ramps, pilings) still today. The most noticeable remainders are the 9 ships (concrete surplus ships) dating back to World War II that help form the man made "harbor" where the ferries moored. With this location being subject to major north-northwest winds blowing across the Chesapeake Bay, these ships serve as windbreaks to block some of the rough seas. These ships are still in place and from what I observed are a favorite hang out for sea gulls. Thousands were all over them when we visited!
The Ferry service ran to/from this location from 1950 (previously from 1933 - 1950 the northern terminus was just north in the town of Cape Charles) until April 15, 1964. The new Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel opening meant the end of the ferry service. Many of the ferries were sold and used in the Cape May - Lewes ferry just up the road connecting Delaware to New Jersey. At the time that ferry connection was just getting underway. 1 of the fleet is still in service today crossing from New London, Connecticut to Long Island, New York. All others have since been retired.
In perfect conditions crossing took about 1.5 hours. The cost was $3 per car! Today it costs $15 to cross the Bay Bridge-Tunnel. These boats were also a destination within themselves featuring restaurants and lounges - even moonlight orchestra cruises. I have family members that remember these ferry crossings. Growing up on the Delmarva Peninsula this was the easiest route south despite the wait and long crossing. If you think about it the Interstate Highway system was just getting established so roadway travel in many areas was no where near as efficient as it is today.
If traveling south from New York, Philadelphia, Wilmington and you want to miss the congestion of the I-95 mayhem from Wilmington, Delaware to Richmond, Virginia - take U.S. 13 down the Delmarva and make a stop here before you cross into the Virginia Beach/Norfolk area. It truly is a beautiful park located at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay as it empties into the Atlantic. Thank you and I hope you enjoy these pictures.
