Norfolk has 7.3 miles of free Chesapeake Bay beach, the 10.5-mile Elizabeth River Trail, a Northside Park bike trail and fenced dog parks. Parks: 757-823-4291.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Facts on this page come from Norfolk Parks and Recreation, its beaches, biking and dog park pages, and the city directory.

Norfolk Parks and Recreation runs the city’s parks, beaches, community centers, pools and athletic fields. For reservations, programs and questions, call 757-823-4291.

Who to call

  • Parks and Recreation: 757-823-4291, parksrec@norfolk.gov, 220 Boush St., 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Downed trees, park maintenance, city requests: Norfolk Cares, 757-664-6510
  • Aggressive dog at a park: Animal Control, 757-441-5505
  • Emergency on the beach or trail: 911

Beaches

Ocean View holds more than 7.3 miles of free, accessible shoreline on the Chesapeake Bay, the city’s beaches page says. Parks and Recreation keeps three beach parks, each with parking, restrooms, benches and shade trees:

Beach park Address Notes
Community Beach 700 E. Ocean View Ave. Lifeguards in summer; grilling on the grass; access ramps
Ocean View Beach 100 W. Ocean View Ave. Lifeguards in summer; summer concerts and dances; access ramps
Sarah Constant Beach 300 W. Ocean View Ave. No lifeguards; grilling on the grass

Last summer, lifeguards worked daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Community Beach and Ocean View Beach from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Neighborhood beach access points have limited street parking and no restrooms or lifeguards.

Not allowed on the beach: alcohol, glass, loud music, open fires (grilling only on the grass at Community and Sarah Constant), metal detecting or digging, bikes and skates on the ramps, and climbing on jetties or dunes.

Dogs: none on the beach from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from the Saturday before Memorial Day through Labor Day. Otherwise, keep dogs on a leash of 8 feet or less and pick up after them.

Trails and biking

Norfolk has nearly 60 miles of bike lanes and shared lane markings, the city’s biking page says.

  • Elizabeth River Trail: a 10.5-mile urban walking and biking trail from the Norfolk Naval Station area through downtown to Norfolk State University, with river views and history along the way. See the Elizabeth River Trail Foundation, which leads the free Tour de ORF ride on Sunday, Nov. 1.
  • Northside Park mountain bike trail: about 3 miles, easy to moderate; mountain bikes or knobby tires recommended.
  • Bike Month: May, with events run by the city, the Downtown Norfolk Council and local bike groups.

Weekly social rides start at 2406 Colley Ave. on Wednesday evenings and the Boombox Bike Ride goes every Saturday at 10:30 a.m., weather permitting, on the city calendar.

Dog parks

Norfolk has fenced off-leash dog parks and unfenced parks where dogs stay leashed; the city’s map of locations (PDF) lists them. Rules:

  • Dogs must wear current rabies and city license tags.
  • Owners stay with their dogs and pick up after them.
  • No more than three dogs per owner, no dogs in heat, and puppies must be over 4 months.
  • Aggressive dogs must leave at once; call 757-441-5505 if needed.

Gardens, the zoo and community centers

  • Norfolk Botanical Garden, a public garden with a rose garden and canals; check its site for hours and admission.
  • The Virginia Zoo, 3500 Granby St., hosts Howl-a-Ween on Friday, Oct. 30.
  • Community and recreation centers across the city run classes, sports and the fall trunk or treats in our trick-or-treat guide; the community centers page lists them.
  • Five Points Park, 6123 Sewells Point Road, hosts free evening events with Norfolk Festevents from late spring through fall.

Pools, camps, athletics and shelter rentals are on the Parks and Recreation site, along with the Summer-Winter 2026 program guide.

Volunteer

Volunteers can join cleanups such as the International Coastal Cleanup at Community Beach Park, 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, and the Master Gardeners’ trail beautification mornings on the fourth Friday from March to November.

What this means for you

  • Fall is quiet beach season, and dogs are welcome on leash.
  • Try the Elizabeth River Trail or the Nov. 1 Tour de ORF ride.
  • Get your dog’s city license before a dog park visit.

Related: farmers markets, getting around Norfolk and things to do this month.

More on the trail and dog parks: walking and biking trails and dog-friendly Norfolk.

Frequently asked questions

Are Norfolk beaches free?

Yes. Norfolk has more than 7.3 miles of free public shoreline on the Chesapeake Bay in Ocean View, with three city beach parks: Community Beach, Sarah Constant Beach and Ocean View Beach.

How long is the Elizabeth River Trail?

10.5 miles. The urban walking and biking trail runs from the Norfolk Naval Station area in the north through downtown Norfolk to Norfolk State University.

Can I take my dog to the beach in Norfolk?

Not from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from the Saturday before Memorial Day through Labor Day. Outside those hours and the rest of the year, dogs are allowed on a leash of 8 feet or less.

Are there mountain bike trails in Norfolk?

Yes. Northside Park has a mountain bike trail of about 3 miles, rated easy to moderate. The city recommends mountain bikes or knobby tires.

How do I contact Norfolk Parks and Recreation?

Call 757-823-4291 or email parksrec@norfolk.gov. The office is at 220 Boush St., open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.