West Neck Creek Natural Area
Hidden GemWest Neck Creek Natural Area is a park in Pungo & Blackwater, Virginia Beach, best for horseback riding, birding, quiet forest hikes away from the beach crowds.
A 217-acre wooded natural area kept deliberately undeveloped, West Neck Creek borders West Neck Road and Princess Anne Road in the rural southern reach of the city, across from the Municipal Center. Roughly 2.5 miles of soft-surface shared-use trail plus 0.3 mile of paved, ADA-accessible trail wind through older deciduous forest, opening onto the cleared grounds around the historic Buffington House. The permitted activities list is unusually broad for a city natural area — hiking, fishing, birding, nature photography, and horseback riding all have a place here.
Amenities
- 2.5 miles of soft-surface trail
- 0.3 mile of paved ADA-accessible trail
- Historic Buffington House grounds
- Horseback riding permitted
- Birding and fishing access
Know Before You Go
- Best for: horseback riding, birding, quiet forest hikes away from the beach crowds
- Parking: Free lot off North Landing Road, per the city's general city-park parking policy.
- Accessibility: 0.3 mile of the trail network is paved and ADA-accessible; the remaining 2.5 miles are soft, natural-surface path.
- Dogs: allowed — Per citywide park rules, pets must be on a physical leash and under control at all times, with owners required to clean up after them.
- Location: 2249 N Landing Rd, across from the Municipal Center, Virginia Beach, VA
Last verified 2026-07-11.
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While You're in the Area
Astraea Coffee
Pet-friendly cafe in a converted house near the Municipal Center courthouse cluster, pairing coffee with bagels, wraps, and a fresh bakery case.
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Pungo-area seafood restaurant known locally as a 'locals' secret,' serving dinner nightly plus a full weekend brunch service.
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Melbourne-inspired coffee and made-from-scratch food in a historic Pungo Village home — the rebrand of longtime local favorite Sawdust Road.
Cullipher Farm Market
A working farm market on Princess Anne Road in the heart of Pungo, open seasonally April through October for pick-your-own strawberries, blueberries, peaches,…
Flip Flops VB Grill
Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives-featured tropical grill in rural Blackwater near Munden Point Park, known for Caribbean-inflected seafood.
Heirloom
Family-owned Pungo wine bar and farm-to-table kitchen with seasonal small plates, serious wine, and a 4-5:30pm happy hour.
Upcoming Events Nearby
Warbirds Over the Beach
October 3, 2026 – October 4, 2026 · annual
The Military Aviation Museum's premier all-warbird air show fills its Princess Anne Road grounds with flying WWII-era aircraft, bringing the museum's own airworthy collection into the sky rather than leaving it static on display. The two-day show runs 9am to 5pm alongside the museum's regular exhibits; standard museum admission applies ($17 adults, $15 seniors/military/teachers, $10 ages 5-13, free for members, WWII veterans, and children 4 and under). It's the signature annual event for Pungo's rural southern end of the city, a genuine surprise for visitors who don't expect a working WWII airfield inside Virginia Beach limits.
Autumn in the Air
November 7, 2026 · annual
A newer addition to the city's Parks & Recreation calendar, this single-day fall festival takes over Mount Trashmore Park with folk, americana, and rock bands on an outdoor stage, food and drink for purchase, and activities scattered across the lakefront lawn. Now in its third year, it's grown into the city's answer to a proper autumn street festival without the Oceanfront crowds -- bring a lawn chair or blanket, since tents and large coolers aren't allowed in the event area. Free admission and parking make it an easy afternoon add for anyone already in Kempsville.
Santa's Stocking Old Fashioned Craft Bazaar
November 14, 2026 – November 22, 2026 · annual
Now in its 48th year, Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation's holiday craft bazaar splits across two weekends and two recreation centers: Princess Anne Recreation Center hosts November 14-15, then Kempsville Recreation Center takes over November 21-22. Crafters sell handmade items ranging from stocking stuffers to fine art at budget-friendly prices, with Saturday hours 9am-4pm and Sunday hours 10am-3pm each weekend. Admission and on-site parking are free at both locations, making it an easy holiday-shopping stop regardless of which side of the city you're on.