Description
The 2,531 acres of York River State Park offer upland forests, riparian thickets, marshy creeks, brackish inlets, a pond, and open fields. With so many habitats close at hand, it is not surprising that birders have recorded 70 species in a morning’s outing. There are a number of trails throughout the park, though birders seem to favor the Taskinas Creek Trail, which offers a glimpse at the greatest diversity of habitats, including estuaries, bottomland marsh and hardwoods, as well as, mixed deciduous and pine forests. Other trails recommended by birders include the Backbone Trail, Woodstock Pond Trail, and Majestic Oak Trail. A variety of dragonflies and damselflies may be seen in the wetlands and butterflies are plentiful. During winter, diving ducks often congregate on the York River behind the visitor’s center.
Notes:
- This park has all-terrain wheelchairs available for children and adults. Click here for more information and the reservation form.
Wildlife Sightings
210 species have been reported at this site to date.
Birds Recently Seen at York River State Park:
- Osprey
- Bald Eagle
- Carolina Wren
- Chipping Sparrow
- Mallard
- Ruddy Duck
- Mourning Dove
- Great Blue Heron
- Turkey Vulture
- Red-shouldered Hawk
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 31 Mar 2026 | 4 | Cassie Bates |
| 30 Mar 2026 | 31 | Virginia Broome |
| 30 Mar 2026 | 31 | Gary Driscole |
| 29 Mar 2026 | 25 | Richard Parent-Johnson |
| 29 Mar 2026 | 1 | Chuck Whalen |
Amenities & Accessibility
Amenities
- On-site Parking
- Restrooms
Other Amenities: Bike Trails, Hiking Trails, Interpretive Program/Events, Visitor/Nature Center, Historical Site, Beach
Accessibility Considerations
This location does not have a Birdability Site Review available at this time
Learn more about Birdability’s efforts to map accessible outdoor spaces
Maps & Directions
Physical Address: 9801 York River Park Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23188
From Williamsburg, head west on I-64, take exit 234B for SR-646/Newman Rd, slight right onto SR-646/Newman Rd, turn left onto SR-606/Riverview Rd, turn right onto SR-696/York River Park Rd and follow it to the parking area.
Site Information
Access Requirements:
- Fee; Daily, 8am - dusk
Contact Information:
- Phone: 757-566-3036
- Email: YorkRiver@dcr.virginia.gov
- Visit Website
Sites, or portions of sites, can be closed periodically for management activities. Please always check the site’s website for additional information prior to visiting.