York River State Park – May & June 2024
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. This park has great events below, dock for canoes and kayaks, fishing, horse trails, hiking trails and some challenging mountain bike trails too! York River State Park is located at 9801 York River Park Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23188. For daily updates on the park check www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/york-river.
Burning of the Socks/Canoe & Kayak Season Kick-Off
May 11, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Begin your canoe and kayak adventure with a rite of Spring on the Chesapeake Bay. Burning socks is a tradition among sailors near Annapolis. We will not need them with our water shoes. Please bring a pair of natural fiber socks for the ritual fire. Then, join us for the first paddle of the season. Prepayment required with reservation. Call 757-566-3036
Roaming Ranger
May 11, from 2 p.m. – 3 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.
Roaming Ranger
May 13, from 11 a.m. – 12 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.
Roaming Ranger
May 17, from 11 a.m. – 12 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.
National Kids to Parks Day
May 18, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Put down your electronic devices and discover life outdoors! We’ll begin with a kid-friendly Pick Your Paddle trip on Taskinas Creek at 10:00 AM. The popular Fossil Frenzy Hike will begin at 1:00 PM. Meet at the amphitheater for both activities. Reservations and prepayment are required for the paddling trip.
Roaming Ranger
May 20, from 11 a.m. – 12 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.
Dabble in Discovery
May 25, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods. Meet with our stationed naturalist/ranger who will help you discover the aquatic, insect, mammal, and plant life in the park’s ecosystems.
Just-Friendship Birding Adventure
May 27, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Come together and observe Black Birder’s Week honoring the noted naturalist Dr. Ernest Just. This scientist was also a founder of a fraternal organization that promotes friendship. We will watch for a variety of species from the woodland trails to the York River shoreline.
Dabble in Discovery
May 27, from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods. Meet with our stationed naturalist/ranger who will help you discover the aquatic, insect, mammal, and plant life in the park’s ecosystems.
Canoeing with the Stars
May 31 from 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Get away from the city lights and gaze at the celestial bodies in the night sky. Discover how to identify constellations and hear a legend or two of how they came to be. This program is dependent on the clarity of the viewing sky on the night it occurs. Reservations with pre-payment only. Call 757-566-3036.
Clean The Bay Day
June 1, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Join us and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation as we strive to keep our waterways free from litter. Our annual shoreline clean-up will address trash along the York River in popular areas such as Croaker Landing and Fossil Beach. Please bring gloves, closed toed shoes and enthusiasm to help Clean the Bay!
As Far as the Stars Night Hike
June 1, from 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
When the sun goes down, our other senses become more alert than our sight. Nocturnal creatures become more active in the pursuit of food and mates. Hike with us for a magical natural journey through the night. After the hike, continue your adventure with our Stargazing program.
Stargazing
June 1, from 8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
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.
Roaming Ranger
June 3, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods. Meet with our on-the-go naturalist/ranger who will help you discover the aquatic, insect, mammal, and plant life in the park’s ecosystems. Don’t be surprised if he has a photo or two to share with you.
Roaming Ranger
June 7, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods. Meet with our on-the-go naturalist/ranger who will help you discover the aquatic, insect, mammal, and plant life in the park’s ecosystems. Don’t be surprised if he has a photo or two to share with you.
Living Shoreline Trek
June 8, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
From the ashes of the old Fossil Beach has arisen a new, dynamic ecosystem. The living shoreline between the rip-rap and water’s edge is attracting interesting estuarine and marine creatures and plants.
Roaming Ranger
June 10, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods. Meet with our on-the-go naturalist/ranger who will help you discover the aquatic, insect, mammal, and plant life in the park’s ecosystems. Don’t be surprised if he has a photo or two to share with you.
Roaming Ranger
June 14 from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods. Meet with our on-the-go naturalist/ranger who will help you discover the aquatic, insect, mammal, and plant life in the park’s ecosystems. Don’t be surprised if he has a photo or two to share with you.
Rebellion & Runaway Walk
June 15 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.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.
Virginia State Parks History & Culture Day
June 15 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Embrace the history of the upper York River region this weekend from the colonial period to today. Learn about plots for freedom by indentured servants and enslaved people with the Rebellion & Runaway Walk. Discover the rise and continued heritage of independent waterfront communities with the Afro American Waterman’s Display.
Afro American Waterman’s Display
June 15 from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
From the Colonial Era thru today, black watermen have been a part of the Chesapeake Bay seafood industry in all levels. Discover the communities built on harvesting fish and shellfish giving African Americans financial freedom even in the Jim Crow years. Even today, we can help improve the bay so that everyone can enjoy it’s beauty and bounty.
Roaming Ranger
June 17 from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods. Meet with our on-the-go naturalist/ranger who will help you discover the aquatic, insect, mammal, and plant life in the park’s ecosystems. Don’t be surprised if he has a photo or two to share with you.
Roaming Ranger
June 21 from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods. Meet with our on-the-go naturalist/ranger who will help you discover the aquatic, insect, mammal, and plant life in the park’s ecosystems. Don’t be surprised if he has a photo or two to share with you.
Mysterious Moonlight Canoe Tour
June 23 from 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Explore the marsh at night as you paddle up its placid waters. Various creatures may be seen in the creek or along the shoreline, while bats fly above in the night sky. You may even experience owls calling at a distance. Take it all in as the light of the moon blankets the surroundings with mystery. Reservations with pre-payment only. Canoes – $13/person or $8/person (family of 4+).
Roaming Ranger
June 24 from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods. Meet with our on-the-go naturalist/ranger who will help you discover the aquatic, insect, mammal, and plant life in the park’s ecosystems. Don’t be surprised if he has a photo or two to share with you.
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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