The North Landing River is an important Hampton Roads waterway. A major component of the Intracoastal Waterway, the river is popular with boaters, fishermen, and nature enthusiasts.
The North Landing River runs along the border between Virginia Beach and Chesapeake and then southward to Currituck Sound in North Carolina.
The historic headwaters of the North Landing River was a swamp that has since been impounded to form Stumpy Lake.
The Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal connects Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River with North Landing River.
Approximately 10 miles in length, the canal is maintained maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District to a depth of 12 feet.
The Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal provides an alternative route along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway between the Chesapeake Bay and Albemarle Sound.
Elizabeth River, Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, and North Landing River are part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW), a protected inland channel that stretches from Norfolk, Virginia to Key West, Florida.
Southwest of Pungo, the West Neck Creek converges with the North Landing River. North Landing River Natural Area Preserve, one of Virginia’s largest natural area preserves, occupies nearly 3,500 acres along the river.
Along the lower North Landing River, public access for boating, fishing, and other activities, is available at Pungo Ferry Landing Park, and Munden Point Park.
Near the mouth of the North Landing River, Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge is located on Knotts Island.