Kiptopeke State Park

Kiptopeke State Park near Cape Charles, Virginia, lies on the Chesapeake Bay at the southern tip of the Eastern Shore. The 562-acre (227 hectare) park opened in 1992 on the site of the former ferry terminal of the Little Creek–Cape Charles line, which closed in 1964 when the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel opened. It is known for a row of concrete ships: during World War II a Tampa shipyard built concrete freighters because steel was scarce, and in 1948 nine of them were sunk as a breakwater in front of the ferry landing.

Today the wrecks dampen the waves for kayakers and swimmers, and birds use them as perches. You should not board them, as the walls are deteriorating. The park lies on an important migratory bird route; at the hawk watch platform in fall you can see ospreys, American kestrels and peregrine falcons, and the best time starts in September. There is also a butterfly garden (monarchs from mid-September to mid-November), two unguarded sandy beaches and just over 5 miles (8 km) of trails, including the Raptor Trail (about 1.5 miles / 2.4 km). There are cabins, yurts and campsites; the RV sites have electricity and water but no sewer hookup. Coming from Virginia Beach, you pay a toll for the Bridge-Tunnel.