Front Royal - all beaches

Contribution from Anonymous reviewer. This beach is federally owned and is CLOSED to all public access March 1 through September 30 to protect sensitive migrating and nesting birds. Do not go in the spring or summer.

This beach is a popular spot among locals, with fantastic beach areas, great food, entertainment, and wonderful people. 😊

This beach is perfect for families with young kids. It's located on the Chesapeake Bay, so the waves are quite gentle, making it unsuitable for bodyboarding or surfing. However, you can enjoy activities like SUP and skimboarding. Just be cautious of oyster shells that may be sticking out of the sand, so it's advisable to wear surf shoes or sandals. Keep in mind that dogs are not permitted on the beach from 9am to 9pm. Additionally, there are plenty of restaurants and shops nearby. To make getting around easier, consider renting a golf cart.

This beach is a true hidden gem, with surprisingly little traffic. This is likely due to the limited parking options (street parking only) and the fact that visitors must walk through a nature preserve for just under 10 minutes before reaching the beach. However, once you arrive, the expansive beach is well worth the journey. I've been told that walking to the very end would take around three miles (although I can't confirm the accuracy of this), and I've spent over three hours exploring the entire stretch. This is a fantastic spot to bring your furry friends, especially during the off-season when you're likely to encounter very few people. I've even spotted dolphins swimming just 20-30 feet off the coast, which is truly amazing. The constant breeze is a refreshing touch, and this beach easily outshines the overcrowded Virginia Beach or Yorktown Beach.

There are a lot of bugs that bite on the beach itself, but if you're in the water, it's not so bad. You can find plenty of shells and aquatic animals. The water is a bit murky, but that might have been because of the day we visited. Just be careful when going down to the beach as there is a significant drop-off. The dunes appear to have eroded, and it's a steep 6 to 8 feet down to the beach from the path. Despite that, it's still nice and not too crowded, although the bugs probably kept most people away. The Broadkill store is well-stocked with bug spray, food, and ice cream, and they also accept Apple Pay.