York River State Park – Events in August & September 2025

🌿 York River State Park – Events in August & September 2025

York River State Park is an amazing park located near Williamsburg, Virginia. It offers year round programming that really picks up from the spring through the late fall. They also have affordable and really wonderful camps in the area. Programs below are free to attend unless otherwise noted. There is a parking fee of $5 or you can purchase an Annual Park Pass. This park has more than 40 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, and picnic shelters. Enjoy the following programs! More Information…

🌊 Outdoor & Nature Exploration

🌿 York River State Park – August & September 2025 Events

• 🦴 Fossil Frenzy – Aug. 15 | 10 AM–12 PM | Amphitheater
  Discover marine fossils from over 6,000 years ago.
• 🚶 Roaming Ranger – Aug. 15 | 1–3 PM | Visitor Center
  Roaming Ranger – Aug. 18, 2025. 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  Roaming Ranger – Aug. 22, 2025. 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  Roaming Ranger – Aug. 29, 2025. 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.  Meet with our naturalist/ranger who will help you discover the aquatic, insect, mammal, and plant life in the park’s ecosystems.
  
• 🐟 River Life – Aug. 16 | 1–3 PM | Visitor Center
  River Life – Aug. 23, 2025. 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  River Life – Aug. 25, 2025. 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  River Life – Aug. 30, 2025. 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  River Life – Sept. 13, 2025. 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  As you make your way to the shoreline, stop and visit the live creature displays of fish & shellfish that were recently captured in the York River and Woodstock Pond.  The ranger on duty will share about these creatures and their role in the ecosystem.
  
• ✨ Stargazing – Aug. 16 | 8–10 PM | Visitor Center
  Join the Virginia Peninsula Stargazers as they point out the different items of our solar system in the night sky. They will have the equipment.  Just bring your curiosity.  This program is dependent on the clarity of the viewing sky on the night it occurs.
  
• 🛶 Sunset Paddle – Aug. 17 | 7–9 PM | Amphitheater
  Sunset Paddle – Aug. 24, 2025. 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
  Sunset Paddle – Aug. 31, 2025. 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
  End the weekend with a scenic trip on the York River (or Taskinas Creek depending on water conditions) in the evening.  Discover the birds and creatures that are active in the gentle light of sunset. 
  
• 🌊 Living Shoreline Trek – Aug. 18 | 10 AM–12 PM | Amphitheater
  Come and explore a dynamic ecosystem that prevents erosion and brings life to the river.  The living shoreline between the rip-rap and water’s edge is attracting interesting estuarine and marine creatures and plants.  Discover them and how living shorelines enhance and protect our waterfronts.
  Discover wildlife & plants that protect our waterfronts.
  
• 🔍 Dabble in Discovery – Aug. 21 | 10 AM–12 PM | Amphitheater
  With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.  Meet with our naturalist/ranger who will help you discover the aquatic, insect, mammal, and plant life in the park’s ecosystems.
  
• 🚶 Stream to Sea Stroll – Aug. 22 | 10 AM–12 PM | Amphitheater
  Take a walk and discover life in four different aquatic ecosystems.  We will hike to a small woodland and marsh stream, freshwater pond, and brackish/saltwater river.  With nets, we will capture and identify different crustaceans, fish, and take note of plant life. 
  
• 🦉 Owl Observations – Aug. 22 | 8:30–10 PM | Amphitheater
  Have you ever seen or heard an actual owl call in the night?
  
• 🛶 Lost Lighthouse Kayak Tour – Aug. 23 | 10 AM–12:30 PM | Amphitheater
  The York River was home to four manned lighthouses: Bells Rock, Pages Rock, Tue Marshes, and York Spit.  Bells Rock was the uppermost, just two miles below West Point. 
  
• 🤝 Friends of York River State Park Meeting – Aug. 26 | 7–8:30 PM | Visitor Center
  Join the Friends Board for an engaging, interactive event!
  
• 🛶 Pick Your Paddle – Aug. 30 | 10 AM–12:30 PM | Amphitheater
  As you make your way to the shoreline, stop and visit the live creature displays of fish & shellfish that were recently captured in the York River and Woodstock Pond.  The ranger on duty will share about these creatures and their role in the ecosystem.
  
• 🦪 Super Shoreline Exploration – Sept. 13 | 10 AM–12 PM | Amphitheater
  What do you get when you cross an Ostera fossil with living oysters?  A total past and present shoreline experience!  Join us and our Girl Scouts of America friends on a hunt for prehistoric relics at fossil beach and modern marine life along the living shoreline.  The tide will be low enough to search for shells and shark’s teeth.  But living creatures will be active with the in coming tide.  Keep a relic and find a cool specimen for a temporary aquarium all in the same adventure.
  
• 🌊 Estuaries Day – Sept. 27 | 10 AM–3 PM | Visitor Center
  York River State Park in partnership with VIMS (Virginia Institute of Marine Science) is happy to announce the return of Estuaries Day!

MORE INFORMATION….

York River State Park is celebrated for its rare estuarine ecosystem, where freshwater and saltwater blend to create a vibrant habitat for marine life and native plants. Located along the York River, the park is part of the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. This unspoiled landscape holds clues to a rich natural and cultural past, featuring fossil beds and artifacts from both Colonial and Native American history. Through ranger programs, hands-on activities, and engaging visitor center exhibits, guests can learn about the river’s ecology, wildlife, and historical significance. With more than 40 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, visitors can explore scenic marshes, wooded areas, and riverfront views. The park also offers a boat ramp, fishing pier, freshwater and saltwater fishing spots, picnic shelters, playgrounds, and seasonal boat rentals.

The park is known for its rare and delicate estuarine environment, where freshwater and saltwater meet to create a rich habitat for marine and plant life. It is on the York River and is designated as a Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Programs, activities and visitor center displays focus on the history, use, wildlife and preservation of the York River and its marshes. More than 30 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails allow visitors to explore the marsh, river shoreline and forests.

Check program schedules online. Reservations are required, events will have a limited number of participants.

York River State Park
9801 York River Park Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23188
Phone: 757-566-3036   Email Address: YorkRiver@dcr.virginia.gov
Web Site: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/york-river