York River State Park Events & Activities

COVID-19 update: For the safety of park visitors and employees, all guided programs have been cancelled due to the guidelines of only 10 or fewer people allowed per gathering because of Covid-19. The park is open for self guided hikes and bike rides. Please take a moment to read this important park update. Last Update: Dec. 26, 2020

The park 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.

All trails are open; please maintain social distance. Keep your group 10 or less to meet the Governor’s Executive Order. Wear masks.

Self-guided First Day Hike – January 1, 2021 – Kick off the New Year outdoors with a self-guided adventure. There will be no guided hikes this year. But, park guests are more than welcome to explore all other hiking and multi-purpose trails. You can also check out the self-guided trail brochure here.

January 1 is a free parking day.

First Day Hike Photo Contest! Top prize is a $500 Virginia State Parks gift certificate for the best photo taken in a Virginia State Park on January 1, 2021. Read the contest rules here.

Enjoy a State Parks Scavenger Hunt, flier here

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.