York River State Park – July Events!
York River State Park Events for July 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!
🌊 Outdoor & Nature Exploration
- Fossil Frenzy 🦴🌊
July 3, 19 | 10 AM or 1 PM
Learn how this land has changed over millions of years. Hike to Fossil Beach to see evidence of ancient marine life and take home a fossil of your own!
📍 Visitor Center / Taskinas Scenic Overlook - Living Shoreline Trek 🌿🦀
July 5 | 10 AM–12 PM
The York River has been eroding the landscape for centuries, but nature can fight back! Explore the park’s innovative living shoreline that helps protect the land while providing important habitat for plants and animals.
📍 Taskinas Scenic Overlook - Roaming Ranger 🐾🕵️
July 5, 26 | 1 PM–3 PM
Explore the natural world with a wandering park ranger! Topics vary, but you might find fish, birds, bones, bugs, or fossils!
📍 Visitor Center / Woodstock Pond - Dabble in Discovery 🐛🌼
July 19 | 1 PM–3 PM
Get hands-on with nature! Stop by to meet a ranger and explore the wetland and woodland life of the park. Great for curious kids and families.
📍 Visitor Center - Stream to Sea Stroll 🐟🌾
July 26 | 10 AM–12 PM
Hike with a ranger through woodland, stream, pond, and river ecosystems. Discover how these habitats support life and interact with each other. Use nets to catch aquatic critters and learn how to identify them!
📍 Amphitheater / Taskinas Scenic Overlook
👣 Kid-Friendly Hikes
- Tyke Hike 🚼🌿
July 3, 7 10 – 11:30 am
A short hike designed for the littlest explorers! Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers—bring a stroller and an adventurous spirit.
📍 Visitor Center / Taskinas Scenic Overlook
🌅 Evening Adventures
- Owl Observations 🦉🔦
July 10 | 8:30–10 PM
Ever wondered who’s hooting in the woods? Join us for a nighttime stroll to listen and look for owls and learn about their incredible hunting adaptations.
📍 Taskinas Scenic Overlook - Stargazing 🔭🌠
July 26 | 8:30–10 PM
Take a tour of the stars! Join the Virginia Peninsula Stargazers for an evening of constellation spotting and telescope viewing.
📍 Visitor Center
🚣♂️ Paddle Adventures
- Lost Lighthouse Kayak Tour 🛶💡
July 4, 25 | 10 AM–12:30 PM
Paddle the York River and uncover stories of long-gone lighthouses that once guided ships along the shoreline.
📍 Amphitheater / Taskinas Scenic Overlook - Pick Your Paddle 🚣♀️🌾
July 11, 18 | 10 AM–12:30 PM
Choose between a paddle through scenic wetlands or along the York River. Learn about local history, wildlife, and conservation while getting a good workout!
📍 Amphitheater / Taskinas Scenic Overlook - Sunset Paddle 🌅🛶
July 20 | 7–9 PM
Enjoy a peaceful evening on the water! Paddle through calm waters while watching the sun set over the York River.
📍 Taskinas Scenic Overlook
🐠 River & Wildlife Programs
- River Life 🦀🐚
July 4, 12, 25 | 1 PM–3 PM
Drop by to meet park rangers and check out some of the animals that live in the York River! Perfect for families with kids.
📍 Visitor Center - River Seining 🐟🕸
July 12 | 10 AM–12 PM
The brackish waters of the York River has a unique variety of fish and shellfish. Follow the Woodstock Pond Trail to the river access point past shelter #3 to the left of the pond, Rangers will be using 2-man seine and other nets to discover what is in the water. If you have water shoes, bring them
📍 Seining Beach
🏕️ Camps & Education
- Kids Camps 👧🏽🌲👦🏻
July 14–17, July 28–31, Aug. 11–14 | 9 AM–1 PM
Sign up for Nature Explorers or Junior Rangers camp! Hands-on environmental fun for kids K–5. Activities include hikes, games, science, crafts & more.
📍 Amphitheater | $40/child - Field Education Programs 📝🌿
Feb. 10 – Dec. 31 | 10 AM–3 PM
Teachers: Book your class for a fun and educational field trip! Programs include nature hikes, aquatic life sampling, and hands-on environmental science.
📍 Amphitheater
📞 (757) 566-8523 | ✉️ john.gresham@dcr.virginia.gov
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
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