Open Parks and Trails Williamsburg area During COVID-19
It is getting hard to keep up on all the changes but it looks like all the playgrounds in Williamsburg and James City County are now open. There may still be a few closed in York County so check before you head out.
City of Williamsburg PHASE TWO OPENINGS:• Waller Mill Park (rental services & equipment not offered)• Playgrounds (Kiwanas Park, Waller Mill and Quarter Path Park Playgrounds!!!) • Tennis Courts (singles only)• Basketball Courts (individual play only)
Now on to our local area suggestions of outdoor places to visit during COVID-19.
New Quarter Park
New Quarter Park office is now open with Phase 2 modifications. You can now reserve and pay for kayak rentals at New Quarter Park through June 19th online or you can stop by the office. National Fishing and Boating Week is June 6-14 which celebrates the importance of recreational boating and fishing in enhancing people’s quality of life and preserving our country’s national beauty. Check out one of our fishing piers and/or boat landings.
Kayak Trips from New Quarter Park and Back Creek Park
Registrations are now being accepted for kayak trips for ages 13 and up. Two trips are being offered:
- Sunset Kayak Tour – an introduction to kayaking with a short safety/paddling demonstration followed by a sunset excursion out of Back Creek or New Quarter Park. This is a trip for beginners, families and anyone who enjoys nature. Fee is $25/person. Ages 13-17 must be accompanied by an adult. Dates: Back Creek Park – June 25, July 23, August 27, September 24; New Quarter Park – June 11, July 9, August 13, September 10. Registration ends one (1) week for tour date.
- Goodwin Island Kayak Expedition – an advanced kayaker day trip leaving out of Back Creek Park. Participants will travel in a guided group and explore Goodwin Island and learn about the Chesapeake Bay. Fee is $60/person. Ages 13-17 must be accompanied by an adult. Dates: June 13, July 11 and August 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration ends one (1) week for tour date.
You can register for any of our programs at www.yorkcounty.gov/parksandrec. Click on the purple “Register Online Here!” button. If we cancel for any reason, we will issue full refunds.
We are looking forward to seeing you all! The park has its own stunning natural beauty…but the best part is YOU!
At New Quarter Park, please remember:
- Basketball Courts are open for shooting-must remain 10 feet apart.
- One Playground is open.
- The water from faucets and spigots is non-potable (untreated) and not safe to drink. Be sure to bring plenty of water with you.
Patrons may still call the park office at 757-890-5840 or the staff cellphone (please do not text) at 757-812-5589 during park hours. Location: 1000 Lakeshead Dr, Williamsburg VA 23185.
Beaches are OPEN!
Jamestown Event Park Beach and Yorktown Beach are open as of May 30th.
Jamestown Event Park Beach
Jamestown Beach Event Park, 2205 Jamestown Road
Open: beachfront
Not Permitted – group sports (such as volleyball, football, Frisbees, etc.) on the sandy beach, grilling (personal/park grills), use of tents larger than 10’x10’ or group umbrellas
Closed: observation pier, water fountains, picnic tables
Parking is available, but limited on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once the park reaches vehicle capacity, no other vehicles are permitted in unless one leaves—there will be no pick-up or drop-off once capacity is reached. Nonresident parking fees are in effect through Labor Day, for details visit https://jamescitycountyva.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=4009
Yorktown Beach
- Sunbathing, swimming, and recreation are permitted.
- Social distancing must be practiced.
- Group sports, tents, and alcohol are prohibited.
- All public parking lots will be open including: Riverwalk Landing Parking Terrace, Beach Picnic Area, and parking lots at York Hall, County Administration/Courthouse area, and Archer Cottage (corner of Read/Water Streets).
- Waterfront restrooms will be open.
In Hampton public beaches at Buckroe, Fort Monroe, Salt Ponds and Grandview will open for swimming, sunbathing and playing in the sand.
The streets and paths of Colonial Williamsburg are OPEN! AND….Colonial Williamsburg will reopen on June 14th!!
You can stroll Merchant’s Square as well. There are restaurants open, outdoor seating is available as well as take out and coffee shops waiting for your order. Walking DoG St. looking for lambs with a fresh coffee is pretty much paradise. Take advantage of this time and get out there! Keep scrolling for info on the Bassett Trace Nature Trail. It is an AMAZING walking trail that is totally worth walking!! Don’t forget to get your Good Neighbors Pass so you can have unlimited visits and great discounts all year! Visit Colonial Williamsburg to learn all about their reopening!
Where can you fish or launch a boat in Williamsburg area during COVID-19
- Brickyard Landing, 990 Brickyard Road (off Forge Road): public boat ramp
- Chickahominy Riverfront Park, 1350 John Tyler Highway: boat ramp, fishing. Update 5/19/20 due to structural issues and needed repairs, the fishing pier at Chickahominy Riverfront Park is currently unavailable for patron use. For more information or updates, call 757-259-5360.
- Diascund Reservoir Park, 9551 Diascund Reservoir Road: boating access & fishing
- Jamestown Beach Event Park, 2205 Jamestown Road: Fishing in fishing area. Paddle craft launching is allowed only in the designated area.
- Little Creek Reservoir Park, 180 Lakeview Drive: boat launch & fishing. Update 5/19/20 Newport News Waterworks has initiated a controlled, partial drawdown of the Reservoir. Boating and fishing patrons should anticipate a draw down elevation level of 55 feet by May 25; and an elevation level of 50 feet by the end of June. For more information on the reservoir, call 757-926-1000.
- Powhatan Creek Park and Blueway, 1831 Jamestown Road: fishing, small watercraft launch
- Warhill Sports Complex, 4900 Stadium Road: shoreline fishing
- York River State Park 9801 York River Park Rd. 757-566-3036 Email YorkRiver@dcr.virginia.gov
What tennis courts or pickle ball courts are open in the Williamsburg Area during COVID-19
Wondering what tennis courts are open? Well, all James City County tennis courts and pickle ball courts are open. The tennis courts are located at Jamestown High School, Warhill High School and Lafayette High School. At Veterans Park, eight pickle ball courts are open, 7 a.m. to sunset daily. Courts are available for singles play only
Where you can play:
Veterans Park (Pickleball)- eight pickle ball courts are open, 7 a.m. to sunset daily.
Jamestown, Lafayette and Warhill High Schools (Tennis)
Note: Basketball courts, volleyball courts and skate park remain closed.
For City of Williamsburg they announced as of Monday June 8th – Tennis Courts (singles only)• Basketball Courts (individual play only) will be open!
James City County Marina is Open
James City County Marina, 2054 Jamestown Road is open with ADA accessible walking trail & wildlife viewing.
Open: Marina Store service window open daily 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. for fuel sales, payments, bike rentals and other Marina transactions; wildlife viewing. Paddle craft rentals will be available starting Saturday, June 13.
Closed: Marina Store is closed to public traffic (service window open).
Chickahominy Riverfront Park is Open
Chickahominy Riverfront Park is open (1350 John Tyler Highway) for walking trail, boat ramp, fishing & open space!
Open: Campground is open for all length of camp stays. All restrooms are open. Campers can make reservations and complete other transactions by calling 757-258-5020 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. The Guest Services service window is open daily open 11a.m. – 4 p.m. daily for the sale of ice, firewood and other transactions. Walking trail, playground, boat ramp and lots of open space. Paddlecraft rentals will be available starting Saturday, June 13.
Closed: Fishing pier for safety maintenance, swimming pool. Chickahominy Riverfront Park Guest Services/Store is closed to public traffic (service window open)Paddlecraft rentals will be available starting Saturday, June 13.
Visit a State Park: York River or Chippokes State Park or…
Visit one of our State Parks! You can still go and experience the great outdoors. The park and playground is open from 8 a.m. to dusk. The park visitor center, office, and gift shop are open from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. Both York River and Chippokes have trails and historic markers to look at while walking. And fishing is still allowed at parks. The only thing to note about Chippokes is the ferry ride from Williamsburg. The Ferry (which is also a fun adventure) is running at reduced capacity. Check the Ferry Schedule before you go. Things could change so here is latest update from VA State Parks. Here is York River State Park and here is Chippokes Plantation State Park websites.
Historic Jamestown Loop
This is a great thing to do with the kids – walk or bike the Colonial Parkway and/or Jamestown loop! You can park at the Jamestown Settlement parking lot and then jump on the road toward the Jamestown loop. Update 6/6/20: Beginning, June 10th, Colonial National Historical Park, will be reopening access to the Colonial Parkway for vehicle traffic from Highway 199 (west of Colonial Williamsburg) to State Route 359. Access to Jamestown Island is limited to bicyclists and pedestrians only. As services are limited, the NPS urges visitors to continue to practice Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safe and healthy.
Due to “the COVID19 virus, Colonial NHP visitor centers at Jamestown Island and the Yorktown Battlefield are closed until June 27. Outside areas will be open but services are not available.”
The National Park Service (NPS) will notify the public when they resume full operations and provide updates. Please check their websites at www.nps.gov/jame, www.nps.gov/colo, www.nps.gov/york, and social media channels.
The Bassett Trace Nature Trail
The Bassett Trace Nature Trail is open and a beautiful spot to take a walk. This trail is long but not difficult but wear at least runners. It is the perfect opportunity to social distance. And you can bring your dog on a leash. Trail head is in the parking lot of the Griffin Hotel. The round trip is 2.8 miles. Learn more about this trail here. This is definitely a “must do” trail!
The Warhill Trail and Sports Complex
The Warhill Trail (Warhill Complex, 4900 Stadium Road) is an amazing trail of hills and bumpy paths. In total it is a 3.8 mile trail and is a great one to bring the kids and the dogs on a leash. You can catch this trail behind the WISC building or several other spots like the crosswalk before you come to the baseball fields. Here is a link to the Warhill Trail map.
Also, the Warhill Complex is open: mulituse trails for hiking, biking and jogging, shoreline fishing & open space, playgrounds, basketball courts, athletic fields. Closed: Sandford B. Wanner Stadium
Greensprings Interpretive Trail
This is a beautiful trail that is 3.5 miles long. The trail includes ” beaver ponds, wetlands and forests. The trail includes sections of wooden boardwalk as well as interpretative signs about the environment, historic events of the early colonists and American Indians and area wildlife”. Learn more here and click here for a trail map. ADA accessible trail, hiking, running & wildlife viewing (no bikes)
Capital Trail
Now we are talking…this trail is for everyone – those who like to bike, walk and/or run. The Virginia Capital Trail is 51.7 miles, it is fully-paved and winds thru the City of Richmond, Henrico County, Charles City County, and James City County. But don’t worry you do not have to go 51.7 mile – just go as far as you like then turn around! This trail can get busy but right now with everyone social distancing it could be the perfect place to say “hi” from a respectable distance. Nice and paved this is a good trail for every level. Here is more on the Virginia Capitol Trail
Mariners Park and Noland Trail
Enjoy the five-mile Noland Trail the trail has fourteen bridges, picnic areas, benches, handicap access, and mile markers. Learn more about the The Mariners’ Museum Park and Noland Trail here.
Veterans Park (and Kidsburg) – OPEN
Veterans Park (Kidsburg), 3793 Ironbound Road
Open: ADA accessible multiuse trails for hiking, biking & jogging, Kidsburg (playground is OPEN), pickleball courts, basketball courts, sand volleyball courts
Beach and Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown
Yorktown Beach is open! Riverwalk Landing area at Historic Yorktown are open for pedestrians. Yorktown Beach is now open! You do need to observe social distancing. Public bathrooms are closed. Also the coffee shop in Historic Yorktown, Mobjack Petite Cafe at 411 Main Street, Yorktown VA 23690 has a to go coffee and snack and social distance while you enjoy it.
Parks & Recreation & COVID 19 Updates
Brickyard Landing, 990 Brickyard Road (off Forge Road)
Open: public boat ramp
Chickahominy Riverfront Park, 1350 John Tyler Highway
Open: Campground is open for all length of camp stays. All restrooms are open. Campers can make reservations and complete other transactions by calling 757-258-5020 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. The Guest Services service window is open daily open 11a.m. – 4 p.m. daily for the sale of ice, firewood and other transactions. Walking trail, playground, boat ramp and lots of open space.
Closed: Fishing pier for safety maintenance, swimming pool. Chickahominy Riverfront Park Guest Services/Store is closed to public traffic (service window open); Paddlecraft rentals will be available starting Saturday, June 13.
Diascund Reservoir Park, 9551 Diascund Reservoir Road
Open: boating access & fishing
Reservoir offers year-round fishing, boating and picnicking and features a concession facility, playground, soft mulch trail and a shelter with grills.
Freedom Park, 5537 Centerville Road
Open: mountain biking, hiking, walking, nature trail & open space, playground
Closed: Interpretive Center
Greensprings Interpretive Trail, 3751 John Tyler Highway
Open: ADA accessible trail, hiking, running & wildlife viewing (no bikes)
Ironbound Park, 150 Carriage Road
Open: ADA accessible walking trail, playground, basketball court
James City County Marina, 2054 Jamestown Road
Open: Marina Store service window open daily 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. for fuel sales, payments, bike rentals and other Marina transactions; wildlife viewing
Closed: Marina Store is closed to public traffic (service window open). Paddle craft rentals will be available starting Saturday, June 13.
James City County Recreation Center Park, 5301 Longhill Road
Open: mulituse trails for hiking, biking & jogging, playground, athletic fields
Jamestown Beach Event Park, 2205 Jamestown Road
Open: beachfront
Not Permitted
● group sports (such as volleyball, football, Frisbees, etc.) on the sandy beach
● grilling (personal/park grills)
● use of tents larger than 10’x10’ or group umbrellas
Closed:
observation pier
water fountains
picnic tables
Parking:
Parking is available, but limited on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once the park reaches vehicle capacity, no other vehicles are permitted in unless one leaves—there will be no pick-up or drop-off once capacity is reached. Nonresident parking fees are in effect through Labor Day, for details visit https://jamescitycountyva.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=4009
Little Creek Reservoir Park, 180 Lakeview Drive
Open: mulituse trails for hiking, biking and jogging, boat launch & fishing, playground. The Park store will open daily, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., beginning Saturday, June 13 for boat rentals, boat ramp passes, concessions, and other transactions.
Powhatan Creek Park and Blueway, 1831 Jamestown Road
Open: fishing, small watercraft launch & wildlife viewing
Powhatan Creek Trail, 3131 Ironbound Road
Open: mulituse trails for walking, running, cycling & wildlife viewing
Skate Park, 5301 Longhill Road
Will open June 15. Occupancy limited to 50. Ten feet of physical distance must be maintained by all participants and spectators.
Upper County Park, 180 Leisure Road/Toano
Open: mountain biking and mulituse trails for hiking, biking and jogging & open space, playground
Closed: Swimming pool
Veterans Park (Kidsburg), 3793 Ironbound Road
Open: ADA accessible multiuse trails for hiking, biking & jogging, Kidsburg, pickleball courts, basketball courts, sand volleyball courts
Warhill Sports Complex, 4900 Stadium Road
Open: mulituse trails for hiking, biking and jogging, shoreline fishing & open space, playgrounds, basketball courts, athletic fields
Closed: Sandford B. Wanner Stadium
Recreation Centers/Facilities:
The James City County Recreation Center and the Abram Frink Jr. Community Center will resume operations on June 15. Look for more information at https://jamescitycountyva.gov/635/Parks-Recreation.
So those should keep you busy for a little while! We will keep looking for outdoor activities for you all! We apologize in advance if anything changes and these options are closed. But for now it looks like these are good options! Remember the new Executive Order 55 is a Stay at Home Order so only venture out for exercise and much needed vitamin D!
Suggesting people go outdoors to enjoy nature during this stressful time is fine, but apparently people need to be reminded to carry out all the trash and garbage they carry in (plastic plates and cups, food waste, charcoal briquettes, even dirty diapers). The increase in trash in these beautiful places is heartbreaking. DON’T BE LAZY AND SELFISH–DO THE RIGHT THING. Leave behind only footprints.
Well said.
Can we have two separate blankets on the ground six feet apart or more to eat a sandwich? Can we eat on our blankets in an open area and talk to someone who is also sitting on another blanket about ten feet away?