York River State Park

York River State Park is a 2531 acre nature reserve in James City County with salt marshes, freshwater wetlands, forests, and extensive trail networks along the waterfront. The grounds contain boat ramps, fishing piers, mountain biking routes, and equestrian paths for different visitor interests.

The site contains remains from Native American settlements dating back thousands of years, documented through artifacts discovered at Croaker Landing. These archaeological layers reveal the extended human presence in this river region.

The park functions as an outdoor classroom where visitors directly observe Chesapeake Bay ecosystems and witness how environmental conditions shape river habitats. Many come to gain hands-on understanding of the region's natural systems through walking trails and waterfront areas.

The park is open from sunrise to sunset year-round and provides rest areas and viewing points along the trails. Most visitors find marked paths easy to follow with varying difficulty levels.

The grounds function as an active research station where scientists monitor water quality and study rare Mid-Atlantic marsh ecosystems. These ongoing studies contribute to regional ecological understanding and influence conservation decisions.