York River State Park Events

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

Canoeing With The Stars
05/03/2019
7:30 p.m.   To  10:30 p.m.
Get away from the bright lights of the city and spend an evening with us looking at the night sky. For an added touch, we’ll enjoy it from a canoe. Whether you’re an expert on the stars and planets or a novice, you’ll still enjoy this peaceful trip on the creek. One experienced canoeist per canoe required. Reservations are required. Canoes $13/person or $8/person (family 4+). Prepayment required with reservation, 757-566-3036.

Burning of the Socks/Canoe & Kayak Season Kick-Off
05/04/2019
10:00 a.m.   To  1:00 p.m.
Celebrate the 2018 canoe and kayak season with a Chesapeake Bay sailing tradition. Take off your socks and burn them with the rangers. Then join us for a guided trip into Taskinas Creek and the York River. Equipment rentals are canoes (2 person + 1 child) $15, Solo kayak $20, Tandem kayak (two person) $20. Please call for reservations. Bring your own watercraft and launch either from Taskinas Creek or Croaker Landing (interpretive fee $10). Please note that in order for the rangers to lead a guided tour, the water and air temperature must add up to 120 degrees.

Stargazing
05/04/2019
8:00 p.m.   To  11:45 p.m.
Join the Virginia Peninsula Astronomy Stargazers for a night of wonder and discovery. Away from the city lights, the broad cliffs above the York River are perfect for observing constellations, planets, and other features in the night sky. There is no fee for this program.

Sunset Paddle
05/05/2019
5:30 p.m.  To  7:30 p.m.
As the colors of sunset fall on the marsh, a variety of sounds can be heard from birds and other creatures. Enjoy the beauty of this special time on the water with a guided paddling trip. Canoes are $9/person or $6/person (family of 4+), solo kayaks are $16/person, and tandem kayaks are $11/person. Please call for reservations. Prepayment required with reservation, 757-566-3036.

Pick Your Paddle
05/11/2019
10:00 a.m.   To  12:00 p.m.
Explore the beautiful wetlands or river with us. You may even encounter a variety of wild creatures. Learn something new and exciting as you paddle up the creek or down the river. And don’t worry, we provide you with a paddle of your choice (canoe or kayak). Taskinas Creek and the York River are so rich in their resources and we’ll teach you ways to protect them.
Cost. Canoes $9/person or $6/person (family of 4+), solo kayak $16/person, tandem kayak $11/person.  Prepayment required with reservation, 757-566-3036.

Dabble in Discovery
05/11/2019
10:00 a.m.   To  3:00 p.m.
Which came first, the gray fox or the red? Does a crab keep its shell forever? Can box turtles swim? For the answer to these and other questions about the natural world, dabble in discovery with our on site naturalist.

Fossil Frenzy
05/11/2019
4:00 p.m.   To  6:00 p.m.
Long before there was a York River State Park, or even a York River, 6,000 plus years ago, marine creatures swam here in a shallow sea. Early whales, porpoises, sharks, clams, scallops, and snails all left traces of their existence which we now find as fossils. Join us in discovering relics of these very old creatures as we hike to a fossil beach.  No Cost. Please call to make reservations, 757-566-3036.

Mother’s Day Surf & Turf
05/12/2019
2:00 p.m.   To  5:00 p.m.
Treat mom to a day on the water and fossil hunting. This ranger guided program takes our guests to Fossil beach to search for relics of the prehistoric era. Mom paddles for free with paid guest. Canoes are $9/person or $6/person (family of 4+), solo kayaks are $16, and tandem kayaks are $11/person. Please call for reservations, 757-566-3036.

Mysterious Moonlight Canoe
05/17/2019
There is no better way to enjoy the full moon than from a canoe on the beautiful Taskinas Creek. We’ll enjoy the sights and sounds of the marsh at night as we paddle slowly up the placid creek. One experienced canoeist per canoe required. Canoes are $13/person or $8/person (family 4+). Prepayment required with reservation, 757-566-3036.

Tyke Hike
05/18/2019
10:00 a.m.   To  12:00 p.m.
So, your child is beyond those first awkward steps and is ready to walk a distance. Join us for a hike devoted to kids from 2 to 5 years old. A friendly ranger will guide you and your new hiker along our shoreline and wooded trails. This hike will lead to two shorelines along the York and cross a footbridge across a small marsh. Discover the plant and animal life with your child in your own backyard.

Backyard Bassin’ Fishing Clinic
05/18/2019
10:00 a.m.   To  12:00 p.m.
Before you hit the water, learn and practice the skills needed to fish in fresh water. Practice casting with a spin-casting rod & reel combo. Learn how to use bobbers, sinkers, and the knots most often used by anglers. We’ll have a “backyard bass” contest as well. Participants will receive a Jr. Angler certificate. Please call for reservations, 757-566-3036.

National Kids to Parks Day
05/18/2019
10:00 a.m.   To  4:00 p.m.
York River State Park is offering a variety of programs as we celebrate National Kids to Parks Day. Go on a self-guided adventure with a Park Pack, available at the park office.
Or join a ranger for a guided program including:
Freshwater Fishing Clinic 10 a.m.
Tyke Hike 1 p.m.
Dabble in Discovery 4 p.m.
http://www.kidstoparks.org
Contact the park office for more information and reservations. 757-566-3036.

A ”Heronious” Point of View
05/18/2019
3:30 p.m.   To  5:30 p.m.
A breeding colony of great blue herons is not a rookery, it is a heronry (we didn’t make that word up). Experience the sights and sounds of these iconic birds as they build nests and tend to their young along a terrific view of Woodstock Pond and the York River. A friendly ranger will have a spotting scope, binoculars, and field guide information handy as you enjoy a day of hiking or biking.

Dabble in Discovery
05/18/2019
4:00 p.m.   To  5:00 p.m.
Which came first, the gray fox or the red? Does a crab keep its shell forever? Can box turtles swim? For the answer to these and other questions about the natural world, dabble in discovery with our on site naturalist.

Sunset Paddle
05/19/2019
5:30 p.m.   To  7:30 p.m.
As the colors of sunset fall on the marsh, a variety of sounds can be heard from birds and other creatures. Enjoy the beauty of this special time on the water with a guided paddling trip. Canoes are $9/person or $6/person (family of 4+), solo kayaks are $16/person, and tandem kayaks are $11/person. Please call for reservations. Prepayment required with reservation. 757-566-3036. 

Pick Your Paddle
05/25/2019
10:00 a.m.   To  12:00 p.m.
Explore the beautiful wetlands or river with us. You may even encounter a variety of wild creatures. Learn something new and exciting as you paddle up the creek or down the river. And don’t worry, we provide you with a paddle of your choice (canoe or kayak). Taskinas Creek and the York River are so rich in their resources and we’ll teach you ways to protect them.
Cost. Canoes $9/person or $6/person (family of 4+), solo kayak $16/person, tandem kayak $11/person.  Prepayment required with reservation. 757-566-3036. 

Dabble in Discovery
05/25/2019
2:00 p.m.   To  3:00 p.m.
Which came first, the gray fox or the red? Does a crab keep its shell forever? Can box turtles swim? For the answer to these and other questions about the natural world, dabble in discovery with our on site naturalist.

Fossil Frenzy
05/25/2019
4:00 p.m.   To  6:00 p.m.
Long before there was a York River State Park, or even a York River, 6,000 plus years ago, marine creatures swam here in a shallow sea. Early whales, porpoises, sharks, clams, scallops, and snails all left traces of their existence which we now find as fossils. Join us in discovering relics of these very old creatures as we hike to a fossil beach.  No Cost. Please call to make reservations, 757-566-3036.

River Seining
05/26/2019
1:00 p.m.   To  3:00 p.m.
Seine nets have been used for ages to catch fish and other creatures in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers. Our rangers will lead you in discovering the variety of aquatic life in the York River with seine and dip nets.

Roaming Ranger
05/26/2019
4:00 p.m.   To  5:00 p.m.
Can you tell the difference between a venomous and non-venomous snake? Do you know what fish osprey feed on? Have you ever observed where great blue heron nest? The Roaming Ranger will be around to point out these and other points of interest in the park.

Sunset Paddle
05/26/2019
5:30 p.m.   To  7:30 p.m.
As the colors of sunset fall on the marsh, a variety of sounds can be heard from birds and other creatures. Enjoy the beauty of this special time on the water with a guided paddling trip. Canoes are $9/person or $6/person (family of 4+), solo kayaks are $16/person, and tandem kayaks are $11/person. Please call for reservations. Prepayment required with reservation. 757-566-3036.

Civil War Encampment
05/27/2019
1:00 p.m.   To  5:00 p.m.
What was life like for the Civil War soldier? What equipment did he use? What were his greatest obstacles? In commemoration of the Civil War, join us for an interpretive look at the life of the soldier.

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