River Seining — Ranger Gresham with visitors

York River State Park November Events 2022

The park is open from 8 a.m. to dusk. A shoreline restoration project will be taking place until May 17. During this time Fossil Beach will be closed. Monday through Friday portions of Backbone Trail and Mattaponi Trail will be closed and rerouted onto Meh Te Kos Bridle Trail.

The park visitor center, office, and gift shop are open from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. This park has great events below, dock for canoes and kayaks, fishing, horse trails, hiking trails and some challenging mountain bike trails too! Canoe and Kayak rentals are closed for the season. York River State Park is located at 9801 York River Park Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23188.

Rebellion & Runaway Walk

Nov. 5, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – How did African slavery begin in the Virginia Colony and did they seek freedom from their condition? Did any European indentured servants and Native Americans resist their lot as well? Walking with us you will discover stories of rebellious conspiracies and courageous runaways and how they overcame the challenging terrain of Tidewater Virginia to elude their oppressors. Reservations are required.

Rebellion & Maroon Commemoration Day

Nov. 5, 2022. 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – In 1730, enslaved African Americans expected Virginia’s new Royal Governor to declare their freedom by order of the King. When this didn’t happen, hundreds of them from James City to Norfolk and Princess Anne Counties revolted that fall. Many were caught and punished. Yet others found a refuge in the Great Dismal Swamp of Virginia & North Carolina. These brave men and women established the Maroon communities where they lived in freedom and seclusion until the end of the Civil War. Join us for our Rebellion & Runaway Walk at 10:00 am and Rebellions & Runaways Along the River talk at 1:00 pm and discover these fascinating pages of our history.

Rebellions & Runaways on the River

Nov. 5 – 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Enslaved Africans of Colonial Virginia made efforts to secure their freedom long before the Civil War. Discover stories of betrayed uprisings, undaunted maroons, and others who stood against tyranny in the tidewater area.

Taskinas Trek

Nov. 11 – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Taskinas Trek The Taskinas Creek Trail is one of the most beautiful and challenging hikes in eastern Virginia.

Roaming Ranger

Nov. 14 – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Roaming Ranger 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.

Waterfowl Watch

Nov. 18 – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Roaming Ranger 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.

Waterfowl Watch

Nov. 19 – 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.Waterfowl viewing season is here. Stop by our outdoor display of decoys and images and discover the ducks that inhabit the area until early spring. Be sure to bring your binoculars for better views of these spectacular birds.

Roaming Ranger

Nov. 19 – 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Roaming Ranger 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.

Roaming Ranger

Nov. 21 – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Roaming Ranger 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.

Waterfowl Watch

Nov. 26 – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Waterfowl viewing season is here. Stop by our outdoor display of decoys and images and discover the ducks that inhabit the area until early spring. Be sure to bring your binoculars for better views of these spectacular birds.

Roaming Ranger

Nov. 26 – 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Roaming Ranger 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.

Roaming Ranger

Nov. 28 – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Roaming Ranger 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.

For additional upcoming programs go 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.