Best Parks and Playgrounds in Williamsburg, James City County & York County

Looking for Playgrounds in Williamsburg and Parks in Williamsburg and surrounding towns?

Looking for the Best Parks & Playgrounds in Williamsburg and the surrounding areas?  Need to get the kids outside? Want to wander in nature? Looking to rent a canoe and go on the James River or York River?

Here is a list some parks in the Williamsburg, James City County and Yorktown area.  Parks may include playgrounds, bike trails, fishing, kayaking and even Park Ranger guided events.  Just need a few minutes outside? Many of these parks are practically in your backyard or if you are visiting…just a hop skip and a jump from your hotels.  Scroll down to see all the great options this area has to offer!

1. Kidsburg Playground in Veterans Park 

This park is located on 3793 Ironbound Rd. near Monticello Ave., this park is one of the best in the area.

2. Kiwanis Park 

City of Williamsburg, located on 125 Longhill Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185 – this is a big playground with picnic shelters, swings, basketball courts, tennis courts, green space and lots of options.

3. Warhill Sports Complex

There are two playgrounds — if you are on Centerville Rd., you can come in off of Opportunity Way / Stadium Road and you will get to one playground, OR you can come from Longhill Rd. and come up Warhill Trail to the other playground near the WISC.  Bonus – you can walk/run on the trail there too – here’s a map.

4. My Place Playground

This playground is located outside James City County Recreation Center on 5301 Longhill Road, Williamsburg, 23188. This inclusive playground is designed to welcome all individuals and families, regardless of ability. Lots of traditional playground equipment plus unique structures all kids will enjoy.  Surface is rubber instead of mulch.  There is a picnic table and a few shady trees – so bring a lunch!

5. Chickahominy Riverfront Park

Located off of Route 5, this is a fun park which includes a fish-shaped bridge at their playground. There is also the County pool with a slide and concessions, a picnic shelter, fishing and beautiful river views. Make sure to pack a swim suit there is an awesome splash pad!

6. Upper County Park

This park is located in the northern portion of James City County, 180 Leisure Road, Toano, VA  23168. The park amenities include 2 playgrounds, 3 shelters, outdoor pool, walking and mountain bike trails, basketball courts, sand volleyball court, primitive camping and lots of open space.

7. New Quarter Park

In York County, just past the Queen’s Lake neighborhood, New Quarter Park is huge and has lots to do!  Here are some of the fun things you can do at this park – plus they have great programming like outdoor movies in the summer at this park! Enjoy hiking and mountain bike trails, a campfire circle, picnic shelters, 18-hole championship disc golf course, playgrounds, restroom facilities, a softball field, 2 basketball half courts, sand volleyball, and much more! Fishing is available from a floating pier, and easy access for kayaking and canoeing is available from a scenic launch site. New Quarter Park, located at 1000 Lakeshead Drive, Williamsburg, VA 23185.

8. Waller Mill Park

This park is located at 901 Airport Road Williamsburg, VA 23185. Waller Mill Park has a playground, but also lots more – fishing, paddle boating, canoe/kayaking, hiking trails, 18-hole disc golf course and picnic shelters. They also have a dog park.

No boat? No worries, you can rent kayak, canoe, pedal boats, jon boats and even motors. They have a Boat House Store (rod rentals, tackle, bait, snacks & drinks) – yes they even have ice cream.  There are restrooms and picnic shelters (4 to rent for events).   They have ball fields, disc golf, fishing pier, and playground equipment.  This park also runs great events like the Kids Fishing Derby and the Canine Carnival.  Head over to this park ASAP!

• Boat Rentals (kayak, canoe, pedal boats, jon boats)
• Hiking Trails (wooded & asphalt)
• Disc Golf Course
• Picnic Shelters (4 to rent for events)
• Dog Park
• Playground Equipment
• Boat Ramp
• Kayak Ramp
• Fishing Pier
• Ball fields
• Restrooms
• Boat House Store (rod rentals, tackle, bait, snacks & drinks)

Vehicle Entrance Fee: $2.00

9. Freedom Park

This park is located at 5537 Centerville Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185.  Freedom Park has a rich historical background dating back to the 1650s.

Freedom Park also has a forest-themed playground, for children ages 2-12, including swings, slides and a small climbing wall. The park also includes lots of trails for walking and mountain biking.

10. Skate Park

This park is located at 5301 Longhill Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188 next to the James City County Recreation Center, this bowl-style skate park offers 10,000 square feet of concrete jumps and ramps. Additionally, there is a paved half-mile multi-use trail that encircles the skate park and the Recreation Center.

11.  Little Creek Reservoir Park

This park is located at 180 Lakeview Drive, Toano, VA 23168, just off of Forge Road –  lots of fishing, plus a playground, scenic views, boating and trails.

12. York River State Park

York River State Park is located at 9801 York River Park Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23188. This is an amazing park with lots of water activities, plus hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails, fresh and salt water fishing spots, a fishing pier, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and boat rentals.  They run free and low cost events year round.

More than 30 miles of hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails allow visitors to explore the marsh, river shoreline and forests. A boat ramp, fresh and salt water fishing spots, a fishing pier, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and seasonal boat and recreational equipment rentals are available.

One of two playgrounds at York River State Park.

Kids will love their two playgrounds, daytime activities like Fossil Frenzy, Tyke Hike.  There are just as many day and evening activities for older kids and adults. They have a river front beach called “fossil beach” where you can look for shells and sharks teeth. For a list of their upcoming events visit our post on York River Events

13. Quarterpath Park

This park is located at  202 Quarterpath Road, off of Rt. 60 East near Colonial Williamsburg, next to Quarterpath Rec Center. They have a playground,  three lighted softball fields, three tennis courts, 2 sand volleyball courts, a playground and picnic shelter! Three all-weather tennis courts are open to the public during daytime hours as they are not lighted courts.

Quarterpath Park is a 23-acre park and provides a wide variety of both active and passive recreation. The picnic shelter is available on a first-come, first-serve basis and can hold approximately 75 people.

14. Jamestown Beach and Event Park

Want to go to the beach without the hassle of summer traffic on the interstate? Stay local – visit Jamestown Beach Event Park, located at 2205 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, 23185.  Shallow water and a sandy beach make for the perfect day to spend in the sun with the family.  The park features picnic tables, charcoal grills, an ADA-accessible walkway, restrooms with flushing toilets

15. James City County Marina

The marina is located at 2054 Jamestown Rd., across the street from the Jamestown Settlement. The Marina has a lot to offer including bike, kayak, canoe, and stand-up paddle board rentals; a double-wide boat ramp; paddle craft launch area; marine head pump-out; a waterfront picnic shelter; and a butterfly garden.

16. Yorktown Beach

This two-acre beach ideal for sunbathing, swimming, gathering shells, and watching the boats cruise by and it is located off Water Street in the heart of Historic Yorktown. If you head down on a Saturday morning during April through mid December you can catch their Yorktown Market Days farmers markets before relaxing on the beach. There are public bathrooms. Restaurants to grab a meal and shops to visit. You are also a free Yorktown Trolley ride away from the American Revolution Museum (which has free admission for local residents depending on your zip code). Got a boat? Dock your boat at their public pier to take advantage of this beautiful beach and great restaurants restaurants.

Between Watermen’s Museum and American Revolution Museum – across from Mathews Street

• Dogs are permitted on a leash
• Tents are permitted (but not overnight)
• No alcohol
• No metal detecting
• No fishing from rocks
• No charcoal grills or open fires (gas grills permitted)
• No wedding ceremonies permitted

17.  Basset Trace Nature Trail

Bassett Trace Nature Trail history goes back to the Rockefeller days but it was just reopened in the fall of 2019. The nature walk portion of the trail is a pretty easy walk about ½ mile, round trip. However you may want to walk the entire 1.4 mile trail (2.8 miles round trip). The trail head is located in the parking lot for the Griffin Hotel’s Gold Wing off Bucktrout Lane and the trail stops at the Clubhouse for the Golden Horseshoe’s Green Course. Learn more

18.  Matthew Whaley Elementary

If you are looking for a park close to the Colonial area, try Matthew Whaley, located at 301 Scotland St., just a block off of N. Henry, or if you are on Prince George, turn down N. Nassau and you’ll see the school.  Lots of room to run here! A good choice for summer when school is out of session, and weekends.  Also not a bad place to sit and watch Colonial Williamsburg 4th of July Fireworks.

19. Sunken Gardens

Sunken Gardens on campus at the College of William & Mary

Located on the campus of William & Mary, a great, huge green space where kids can run and have fun – especially in the summer when there are not many students on campus and the Gardens are pretty empty most days. It is also a great spot to have your family photos taken!  The Sunken Gardens are located directly behind the Wren Building.  Get directions to the Sunken Gardens. 

Read our article on fun “secret” spots on the Campus of W&M

20. Pine Fork Park

New Kent / Quinton area Pine Fork Park is located at 7600 Bristlecone Boulevard, Quinton, VA, 23141
They have a zip line, (2) dog parks, book nook, walking tails, ball fields, mommy & me swings, assisted swings, balance beam, monkey bars, plenty of benches and picnic tables, bathhouse close by and it sits on 55 acres. (Thank you to Tara Visser for letting us know about this park and the images!)

21. Chippokes State Park

Ok, technically not in Williamsburg, JCC or York County – what makes this State Park even more fun is that you get to take the kids (or just yourself) on the FREE Ferry over the James to get to Surry where this gem of a park is located. Street location is: 695 Chippokes Park Rd, Surry, 23883. Chippokes is one of the oldest continually farmed plantations in the country. A working farm since 1619, the park offers modern recreational activities and a glimpse of life in a bygone era. Visitors tour the historic area with its antebellum mansion and outbuildings, stroll through formal gardens, and view antique equipment at the Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum. They have events most weekends throughout the year and it is renowned as one of the best places to find sharks teeth (and megalondon teeth). Their beaches are nice sandy river beaches and the water is shallow. It is a great place to go look for sharks teeth and shells or just wade in the water especially at low tide. There are also trails and an historic home to tour.

The park grounds are open dawn to dusk daily. All restrooms are open. The Park Office, Visitor Center and Gift Shop are open daily 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cabins and Walnut Valley house are available for rent. Camping is open for reservations. A campground and four overnight cabins allow visitors to stay on the historic grounds. The park has a visitor center with a gift shop. It also provides opportunities to bike, hike, ride horseback and picnic. Chippokes also offers wedding packages and meeting facilities.

If you are looking for the best places to fish, rent a canoe, kayak or launch a boat check out this post!