With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.

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.

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.

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.

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.

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.

Take a walk and discover life in four different aquatic ecosystems.  We will hike to a small woodland and marsh stream, freshwater pond, and brackish/saltwater river.  With nets, we will capture and identify different crustaceans, fish, and take note of plant life. .

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.

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.

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.

A breeding colony of great blue herons is not a rookery, it is a heronry.

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.

Got a little explorer who’s beyond crawling, but isn’t ready to hike with the Kindergarten siblings?

See the majestic osprey right behind our Visitor Center.

Come and discover the majestic aerial hunters and their habitats.

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.

Have you ever wanted to enjoy the wonders of fossil beach after dark?

With over two thousand acres, the park has a wide variety of life in the wetlands and woods.

Got a little explorer who’s beyond crawling, but isn’t ready to hike with the Kindergarten siblings?  The Tyke Hike is the perfect fit for little legs.  The hikes are less than a mile and mostly stroller friendly.  The ranger will help your little one discover neat things in nature in this one hour adventure.

Have you ever wanted to enjoy the wonders of fossil beach after dark?

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.

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.

Got a little explorer who’s beyond crawling, but isn’t ready to hike with the Kindergarten siblings?  The Tyke Hike is the perfect fit for little legs.  The hikes are less than a mile and mostly stroller friendly.  The ranger will help your little one discover neat things in nature in this one hour adventure.

Take a walk and discover life in four different aquatic ecosystems.  We will hike to a small woodland and marsh stream, freshwater pond, and brackish/saltwater river.  With nets, we will capture and identify different crustaceans, fish, and take note of plant life. .

Kids, put down your devices and explore the wonders of the great outdoors.  Begin the day with the popular Fossil Frenzy Hike at 10:00 am (please call for reservations).  In the afternoon, check out the creatures of the estuary in our aquarium display.  You can even throw a line and catch a big one in our Backyard Bassin' game.  Self guided adventurers are more than welcome.

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.

Have you ever wondered what sort of fish and other creatures live in the York River's brackish waters?  Visit the friendly neighborhood park ranger who has examples of fish and shellfish families.  An aquarium & terrariums will be available to discover these live creatures.  As a bonus, try your hand at casting for some plastic fish in an imaginary estuary and catch something unique.

Join our volunteers as we participate in the 36th annual Clean the Bay Day.  We will collect debris from our York River shoreline and the nearby trails.  Volunteer registration begins in April on the Chesapeake Bay Foundation website.  The park will provide trash bags, gloves, and trash pickers.  Please were closed-toed shoes.

The Taskinas Creek Trail is one of the most beautiful and challenging hikes in eastern Virginia.

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.

Get ready for summer discoveries and fun!  Our kid's camps are a great way for children to be immersed in the estuarine ecosystem.  We offer two sessions of the Nature Explorers  in July (children who have completed Kindergarten* through 2nd grades) to introduce younger campers to unique creatures and basic outdoor activities.  Our Junior Rangers (one session in August for children who have completed 3rd through 5th grades) will be more engaged in wildlife mapping and outdoor skills.  Registration begins February 10th.  Cost is $40 per child.

Get ready for summer discoveries and fun!  Our kid's camps are a great way for children to be immersed in the estuarine ecosystem.  We offer two sessions of the Nature Explorers (children who have completed Kindergarten* through 2nd grades) to introduce younger campers to unique creatures and basic outdoor activities.  Our Junior Rangers (one session for children who have completed 3rd through 5th grades) will be more engaged in wildlife mapping and outdoor skills.  Registration begins February 10th.  Cost is $40 per child.

Get ready for summer discoveries and fun!  Our kid's camps are a great way for children to be immersed in the estuarine ecosystem.  We offer two sessions of the Nature Explorers (children who have completed Kindergarten* through 2nd grades) to introduce younger campers to unique creatures and basic outdoor activities.  Our Junior Rangers (one session for children who have completed 3rd through 5th grades) will be more engaged in wildlife mapping and outdoor skills.  Registration begins February 10th.  Cost is $40 per child.

Make York River State Park your destination for field education and outdoor discoveries.  We offer hikes and netting programs that highlight fresh water and estuarine ecosystems as well as coastal woodlands to enhance Standards of Learning requirements.  Canoe and kayak trips are available from May until the end of September, weather conditions apply.  Contact our Park Interpreters at (757)566-8523 or email john.gresham@dcr.virginia.gov or zach.robertson@dcr.virginia.gov to help plan your trip.