York River

York River SP https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/york-river https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York_River_State_Park York River State Park is located near the town of Croaker in James City County, Virginia on the south bank of the York River about 10 miles downstream from West Point. The York River is formed from the confluence of the Mattaponi River and the Pamunkey River at West Point. The York River empties into the Chesapeake Bay about 30 miles downstream from Croaker Landing. York River State Park is accessed via Exit 231-B of Interstate 64, which is signed "Croaker-Norge." The old Richmond-Williamsburg Stage Road, now U.S. Route 60, also is nearby.

To make your visit safe and more pleasant, we ask that you observe the following: Take only pictures, leave only footprints. PRESERVE - Help preserve your park. Please don’t cut or mar any plants or trees. Collecting animal or plant life is allowed only for scientific purposes by permit from the Richmond headquarters. Don’t feed any wild animals. ALCOHOL - State law permits alcohol use only in private areas (inside your cabin or camping unit) or in areas designated on permits issued by the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. PETS - Pets are permitted on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Please clean up after your pet. Pets may not be left unattended at any time. LITTER - Please help us keep the park clean by placing litter and recyclables in the proper receptacles and recycle centers or carrying out your trash. CAMPING - No camping is allowed. FISHING - No license is required for those fishing from the Croaker fishing pier. A freshwater license is required for Woodstock Pond. A saltwater fishing license is required everywhere else. PARKING - Park only in designated areas. EMERGENCY - In case of emergency, call 911. For non-emergency help, phone numbers are posted at contact stations and other locations throughout the park. INFORMATION - For more information on Virginia State Parks or to make a cabin or campsite reservation, call 800933-PARK (7275) or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov. The Customer Service Center is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s closed on state holidays. TRAIL INFORMATION DIFFICULTY SCALE EASY - From .5 to 1 mile; grades are short, typically fewer than 100 feet, and minimal (less than 10 percent); easily accomplished by all users, including the elderly and those with physical or mental disabilities, with little risk of injury or fatigue. MODERATE - From 1 to 5 miles; steepness and grade lengths vary; at least 60 percent of the length is fairly flat; healthy people can accomplish the trail with little risk of injury or fatigue. DIFFICULT - Trail length is greater than 5 miles; more than 70 percent of the trail is on a grade; experienced hikers only, or groups of three to five people recommended; there is a risk of overexertion or injury to those not conditioned. For everyone’s safety, please follow trail etiquette on multi-use trails in the park. Please see our separate guide for the mountain-bike trail system. HIKING AND MULTI-USE TRAILS: BACKBONE TRAIL - 2.5 miles, gold blaze, . This is a multi-use trail that runs south from the contact station to the southern part of the park. The trail is open to hiking and biking for its entire length, however equestrians are permitted only south of Black Bear Run. The trail is accessible from the contact station and the Beaver, Woodstock Pond, Laurel Glen, Black Bear Run, Pamunkey, Powhatan Forks, Riverview, White Tail and Me-Te-Kos trails. It passes through hardwood forest rich with wildlife and features many views of the park and surrounding areas. BEAVER TRAIL – .5 miles, silver blaze, . The trail is for hiking only and connects the Backbone Trail to the Woodstock Pond Trail near its northern Mattaponi Trail access. This trail crosses a small woodland stream that feeds into the pond and is a great trail for children on their first adventure in the woods. DOGWOOD LANE TRAIL – .8 miles, magenta blaze, . This is a multi-use trail that’s accessible in two places from the Whitetail Trail since it makes a semi-circle as it passes through the woods, coming out at another point on the Whitetail Trail. This path is narrower than the neighboring trail and is somewhat more scenic. MAJESTIC OAK TRAIL – .8 miles, white blaze, . This multi-use trail is accessible from the Spur Trail and Powhatan Fork Trail. This passes through a woodland environment common in the park. Near its end, the trail passes an oak tree estimated to be between 200 and 400 years old. The tree is believed to be the oldest oak in the park. Past this giant tree and toward the river, the trail is no longer suitable for horses, and riders will need to return to the Spur Trail. Near the York River the trail winds down a steep bank where a bridge crosses the marsh. From the bridge, the trail winds up the bank and becomes the north fork of the Powhatan Fork Trail. MATTAPONI TRAIL – .85 miles, cobalt blue blaze, . Accessible in two places from the Woodstock Pond Trail, this trail provides access to the fossil beach where shark teeth and other fossilized material may be found. Named for a native American tribe who once inhabited the area, the trail passes wooded cliffs and across marshes, while providing good views of the York River. South of the fossil beach access, the trail becomes wider and the area becomes grassier. A long bridge spans the marsh at one place and, on either side of it, the trail is fairly steep. MEH TE KOS BRIDLE TRAIL – 4.5 miles, orange blaze, . To access the trail from the horse trailer parking lot, cross the main park road an

To make your visit safe and more pleasant, we ask that you observe the following: Take only pictures, leave only footprints. PRESERVE - Help preserve your park. Please don’t cut or mar any plants or trees. Collecting animal or plant life is allowed only for scientific purposes by permit from the Richmond headquarters. Don’t feed any wild animals. ALCOHOL - State law permits alcohol use only in private areas (inside your cabin or camping unit) or in areas designated on permits issued by the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. TRAIL INFORMATION DIFFICULTY SCALE EASY - Grades are short, typically fewer than 100 feet, and minimal (less than 20 percent); easily accomplished by all users with little risk of injury. MODERATE - Steepness and grade lengths vary; at least 60 percent of the length is fairly flat; healthy people can accomplish the trail with little risk of injury. DIFFICULT - More than 70 percent of the trail is on a grade; experienced bikers only; there is a risk of overexertion or injury to those not conditioned. PETS - Pets are permitted on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Please clean up after your pet. Pets may not be left unattended at any time. LITTER - Please help us keep the park clean by placing litter and recyclables in the proper receptacles and recycle centers or carrying out your trash. CAMPING - No camping is allowed. FISHING - No license is required for those fishing from the Croaker fishing pier. A freshwater license is required for Woodstock Pond. A saltwater fishing license is required everywhere else. PARKING - Park only in designated areas. EMERGENCY - In case of emergency, call 911. For non- emergency help, phone numbers are posted at contact stations and other locations throughout the park. INFORMATION - For more information on Virginia State Parks or to make a cabin or campsite reservation, call 800-933-PARK (7275) or visit www.virginiastateparks. gov. The Customer Service Center is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s closed on state holidays. MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL SYSTEM BLACK BEAR RUN - .38 mile, forest green blaze, . This trail connects the Laurel Glen and Marl Ravine trails. It crosses the Backbone Trail and the Meh Te Kos Bridle Trail and goes through woods and fields. BOBCAT RUN - 3.12 miles, teal blaze, . This trail begins with a double track then becomes a single track loop. It features a variety of terrain and elevation changes in a section of hardwood forest. Use caution by the steep ravines. JOHN BLAIR TRAIL - 12 miles, purple blaze, . Named for a Colonial era owner of this property, the double track begins inside Bobcat Run and ends on Backbone Trail. There are eight points where it intersects multipurpose trails for those who want shorter rides or want to explore an overlook. In between these points, riders enjoy seclusion by the woods and near ravines not accessible to equestrians and hikers. The trail is perfect for those who want a long journey. LAUREL GLEN TRAIL - 1.26 miles, lime green blaze, . Accessible from the Backbone Trail and the Black Bear Run Connector Trail, Laurel Glen passes through a mature, complex, deciduous hardwood forest dominated by mountain laurel. Users should take care because the trail is narrow and runs beside a steep ravine in places. Riders seeking a greater challenge may want to try the Chesapeake Challenge Loop, a side loop that novice riders may choose to bypass. MARL RAVINE TRAIL - 6 miles, dark green blaze, . This single track trail is for advanced riders only. Helmets are required. The trail twists and turns as it follows steep ravines cut into ancient shell deposits from the Tertiary Period when the entire area was under a shallow sea. This environment is unique to the region. The trail is steep and narrow in places and requires advanced riding skills. Riders should be mindful of overhanging obstacles, walk their bikes in some places and remain alert for other bikers. Riders should familiarize themselves with trail etiquette and rules of the road before attempting the trail. York River’s mountain-bike-only trails were created and are maintained by the Eastern Virginia Mountain Bike Association. Visit EVMA.org for more information. Bikes are not permitted on these trails: • Beaver (hiking only) • Mattaponi (including Fossil Beach; hiking only) • Meh Te Kos (equestrian only) • Meh Te Kos Challenge Loop (equestrian only) • Taskinas Creek (hiking only) Bikes are allowed also on these multi-use trails: • Backbone • Dogwood • Majestic Oak • Pamunkey • Powhatan Forks (north and east) • Spur • Riverview (has a beach for fossil hunting) • Whitetail • Woodstock Pond See our other guide for hiking and multi-use trails Virginia State Parks York River State Park (bike trails) Williamsburg, Virginia TRAIL GUIDE VIRGINIA STATE PARKS ARE A TONIC FOR THE MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT. Museums, visitor centers and nearby historic sites make state parks cultural treasures. The recreational opportuniti

COASTAL VIRGINIA Virginia Beach Boardwalk—Virginia Beach FROLIC Catch some waves at Virginia Beach Oceanfront! A little sun and surf make for the ultimate vacation feeling, while entertainment, shops, restaurants and more are only a few feet away on the expansive three-mile boardwalk. Stroll, bike, rollerblade or surrey your way to a selfie with the 12-ton “Neptune” statue. Looking for something more secluded? Escape to Sandbridge to enjoy a week of bliss in your house rental (perfect for families and groups) and feel right at home among the sand dunes and dancing sea oats. Close proximity to the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park offer great kayaking, hiking and fishing. COASTAL VIRGINIA 52 B U S C H G A R D E N S ( W I L L I A M S B U R G ) : C O U RT E S Y O F B U S C H G A R D E N S W I L L I A M S B U R G / C O L O N I A L W I L L I A M S B U R G ( W I L L I A M S B U R G ) : S A R A H H A U S E R From the first permanent English settlement in North America through the Revolutionary War and beyond, Virginia is rife with opportunity to travel through time. Begin with an archeological exploration of the New World at Historic Jamestowne. Nearby, Jamestown Settlement’s costumed interpreters bring your discoveries to life – in outdoor replicas of English ships, a colonial fort and a Powhatan Indian village. Head into the 18th century at Colonial Williamsburg to try out weaving or brickmaking at the world’s largest living history museum before reliving the 1761 British surrender at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. Round out your journey with a trip to the Fort Monroe National Monument to hear four centuries of stories, featuring American Indians, Captain John Smith and the first enslaved Africans to arrive in English North America – as well freedom seekers like Harriet Tubman and others who have shaped the history of this prominent site. CO U R T E SY OF V I S I T V I R G I N I A B E AC H The COASTAL VIRGINIA region begins just east of Richmond, meanders along Chesapeake Bay tributaries and ends along the beautiful coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Featuring historic icons, classic theme parks and beautiful shorelines, it’s the ideal destination for a classic family getaway, satisfying history buffs, thrill seekers and beach loungers alike! EXPERIENCE Colonial Williamsburg—Williamsburg TASTE Tickle your tastebuds along the Salty Southern Route, a journey into the culture and traditions of Virginia’s renowned peanuts, pork products and salt-cured hams. Venture through Smithfield (the namesake to Smithfield Foods), Suffolk (home to world-famous Planter’s Peanuts), and other quaint southern communities as you explore culinary roots of historic – and tasty – proportions. ESCAPE In Hampton Roads, the USS Wisconsin is one of the largest and last battleships ever built by the U.S. Navy; take a tour, stay overnight and get a taste of history. Think you can beat the clock in a battle of wits? Test your skills for an hour and catch the spy at the USS Wisconsin Escape Ship! As the nation’s only battleship escape room, this is one excursion you can’t miss! Busch Gardens—Williamsburg SCREAM THRILL Get topsy-turvy on the rollercoasters at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg! Their new coaster, Pantheon, offers epic thrills as America’s fastest multilaunch coaster. If keeping your feet on the ground is preferable, don’t miss the live performances on stages throughout the park and seasonal events like Howl-O-Scream, Bier Fest and fireworks shows. Cool off at nearby Water Country USA, the state’s largest water park, where your family can hang ten on mega-slides and Virginia’s first ever hybrid water coaster, or kick up your feet while floating along the lazy river; little ones will enjoy themed play areas, child-sized water slides and shallow pools. Place your bets at the new Colonial Downs Racetrack and Rosie’s Gaming Emporium in New Kent! You’ll experience the thrill of live horse racing, as well as the heart-pounding excitement of the Historical Horse Racing machines, where the jackpot awaits. Check their schedule for free post-race entertainment, where live music will keep the party going. Plus, enjoy the whiskey bar for exceptional spirits and their restaurant, 1609, for unique Southern flavors that showcase the Commonwealth’s essence. VIRGINIA .ORG 53 Hampton EXPERIENCE AN INSPIRED WEEKEND IN Sea To Stars Ticket M A N Y AT T R A C T I O N S . O N E L O W P R I C E . Hampton’s 410-year legacy as the city “First from the Sea, First to the Stars” is captured in this combination ticket that mixes history, adventure, water recreation and fun! Explore some of Hampton’s best attractions at one low price. H A M P T O N , VA EST. 1610 Hampton University Museum HISTORY COMES TO LIFE. Founded in 1868, the Hampton University Museum is America’s oldest African American museum. Located on the historic Hampton University campus that dates to the same year, the museum features more than

Environmental Education Virginia State Parks are premier environmental education sites. Schools, scouts, groups and individuals are encouraged to come learn more about their world. Backyard Classroom programs, incorporating Virginia’s Standards of Learning, promote lifelong learning. They also help young people enjoy, appreciate and understand the outdoors. Programs & Festivals Master new outdoor cooking recipes. Pan for gold or tour a cave. Learn or improve outdoor skills. Enjoy a rangerled hike, eagle tour or owl prowl. Workshops and events are as diverse as the parks. VIRGINIA Discounts Virginia State Parks are affordable every day, but annual passes can save you money on parking, boat launching and swimming. The Customer Loyalty Program lets you earn points that can be redeemed for free or discounted overnight stays. STATE PARKS You can also receive a 25 percent discount on weekend cabins if you make a reservation on Thursday or Friday, based on availability. Just ask for the discount on the phone when you make the reservation. Park Accessibility Virginia State Parks strive to make each park as barrier-free as possible. Contact the Customer Service Center or individual parks for more information before your trip. Pets Pets are welcome but must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet or in an enclosed area at all times. Cabin guests are charged $10 plus tax per night per pet. No pet fee is charged for camping. There’s plenty of history, too. Immerse yourself in Colonial times, the Civil War or the Underground Railroad. When it comes to festivals, you’ll find music, arts and crafts, local food and beverage, classic cars and more. Up-to-theminute, comprehensive information is available at www.virginiastateparks.gov. Nature & History All parks have trails, many with signs explaining the environment. Wander trails at First Landing through cypress swamps or hike Caledon’s trails along ridges and ravines through rare oldgrowth forest. Overlooks at Hungry Mother, Grayson Highlands and Natural Tunnel offer a glimpse of powerful geological forces that shaped the land. See how rivers shaped some parks, such as Belle Isle, James River, Natural Bridge, Powhatan and Westmoreland. www.virginiastateparks.gov | 800-933-PARK (7275) www.virginiastateparks.gov Shenandoah River Seven Bends Sky Meadows 540-622-6840 540-622-6840 540-592-3556 CT • CT • Douthat 540-862-8100 T Natural Bridge 540-291-1326 Smith Mountain Lake 540-297-6066 • 540-854-5503 703-730-8205 703-339-2385 540-288-1400 • B/E/H • B/H • B/E/H/U VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS • • FP • • • • B/E/H H • FP • • B/H • • • B/E/H/U • H/U NORTHERN VIRGINIA Lake Anna Leesylvania Mason Neck Widewater • • • FP CT • • • • B/H/U • • • UD CT CHESAPEAKE BAY Belle Isle Caledon Machicomoco Westmoreland 804-462-5030 540-663-3861 804-642-2419 804-493-8821 • • • B/E/H/U • • B/H • CT • • FP • B/H • FP • P B/H/U COASTAL Chippokes Plantation False Cape­­­­ First Landing York River 757-294-3728 757-426-7128 757-412-2300 757-566-3036 • • P B/E/H/U • • B/H/U • • • B/H • • • FP • • B/E/H/U EASTERN SHORE Photo courtesy Jackie Jamison Kiptopeke CENTRAL VIRGINIA Bear Creek Lake­ High Bridge Trail Holliday Lake James River Pocahontas Powhatan Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Twin Lakes (Cedar Crest Conference Center) Boa t La unc h Boa t Re nta ls Fish in g Day Use O nl y Play grou nds Swi mm in g Trai ls BLUE RIDGE HIGHLANDS SHENANDOAH VALLEY 757-331-2267 • • • FP • • H/U/B 804-492-4410 434-315-0457 434-248-6308 434-933-4355 804-796-4255 804-598-7148 804-561-7510 434-392-3435 434-767-2398 T • • • • B/E/H T • • • • • • • • T • • • • • CT • • 540-643-2500 276-579-7092 276-781-7400 276-781-7425 276-699-6778 276-699-6778 • • • FP • • • T • • • CT • • • • B/H/U B/E/H • B/H/U B/E/H/U • SOUTHERN VIRGINIA Fairy Stone Occoneechee Staunton River Battlefield Staunton River 276-930-2424 434-374-2210 434-454-4312 434-572-4623 T • • • 276-865-4413 276-254-5487 276-940-2674 276-940-2696 276-523-1322 276-445-3065 T • • • • • • • B/E/H • B/H/U • • P B/E/H • • P B/E/H HEART OF APPALACHIA Breaks Interstate Clinch River Natural Tunnel (Cove Ridge Conference Center) Southwest Virginia Museum Wilderness Road CT • • • • B/H • P B/H/U H/U • B/E/H TABLE LEGEND­­­: B Biking CT Car-top Boat Launch E Equestrian FP Fishing Pier H Hiking P Pool Swimming T Electric Motors Only U Universally Accessible UD Under Development B/E/H B/E/H/U P • B/E/H/U B/E/H H • • Many parks offer overnight facilities suitable for reunions, weddings and special events. Some parks even have equestrian campsites. B/E/H/U B/E/H/U • T Claytor Lake Grayson Highlands Hungry Mother (Hemlock Haven Conference Center) New River Trail Shot Tower With lodges, cabins, yurts and campsites, the fun doesn’t end at sundown. Many cabins are available year-round, and most campgrounds ar

Hotel Weyanoke—Farmville Small Towns, Local charm, cozy curios and open arms make these small towns in Virginia worth exploring. Character WRITTEN BY MARY & BILL BURNHAM T KYLE LAFERRIERE 10 he phrase “small town” evokes nostalgia, authenticity and heartfeltwarmth in many of us. What’s not to love? They are authentic, accessible, friendly and stocked with locally-owned businesses. These are communities where you can get off the crowded highway, park the car and walk, ride a bike or even kayak through downtown. Small, family-run businesses offer one-of- a-kind handmade items, from jewelry and art to craft beers and wine. Farmers markets offer locally-grown produce and seafood spring through fall. With almost 200 incorporated towns, dozens more villages and hamlets, plus nearly 30 designated Virginia Main Street Communities, the hard part is deciding which Virginia towns to visit. VIRGINIA .ORG 11 Here are some of our favorites, d ending starting in southwest Virginia, an metown with a shameless plug for our ho on the Eastern Shore. High Bridge Trail State Park—Farmville Harrisonburg Big Stone Gap 12 Farmville HIGH BRIDGE TRAIL STATE PARK (FARMVILLE): ALI ZAMAN / SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA MUSEUM (BIG STONE GAP): JASON BARNETTE June Tolliver House and Art Folk Center—Big Stone Gap Southwest Virginia Museum—Big Stone Gap JUNE TOLLIVER HOUSE (BIG STONE GAP): TIM COX Southwest Virginia’s coal-mining history comes to life in the “Trail of the Lonesome Pine,” Virginia’s longest-running outdoor drama, performed Thursday through Saturday nights, late June through August. Before you go, be sure to read the Big Stone Gap novels by Adriana Trigiani, or watch the Hollywood film by the same name starring Ashley Judd and Whoopi Goldberg. Upon arrival, you can visit places featured in the film, such as Mutual Pharmacy, the Book Mobile, the Farmers Market, as well as the outdoor drama. Fine, well-preserved period homes house The John Fox Jr. Museum, the Southwest Virginia Museum and the June Tolliver House. Cozy B&Bs, cafes and a variety of antique and curio shops round out this small town gem. Fun Festival: 100th annual Tri State Singing Convention, June This formerly industrial town has been reinvented for recreation, craft beverage and shopping lovers. The Appomattox River that once carried tobacco barges is now a designated Scenic River carrying paddlers in search of whitewater or the calmer four-mile Farmville Blueway. The railroad that once carried coal now carries hikers, bikers and equestrians on the 30-mile-long High Bridge Trail State Park. Repurposed tobacco packing houses and lumber warehouses are reincarnated to house Appomattox River Company, Green Front Furniture and the Third Street Brewing Company, serving up local beer, live music, games for the kids and a pet-friendly beer garden. Together with the Virginia Tasting Cellar and the soon-to-open second location of James River Brewing, Farmville is fast becoming a destination for craft beverage lovers. Fun Festival: Heart of Virginia Festival, May Set amidst the vast playground of the idyllic Shenandoah Valley, Harrisonburg has been called “one of the best mountain bike towns in America” by National Geographic. Forward-thinking entrepreneurs and artisans have blended the past with the present to create a lively melting pot that is distinctive to this college town. Named Virginia’s first Culinary District in 2014, Harrisonburg’s cultural diversity serves up fare from around the world, while taking advantage of locallysourced farm-to-table ingredients. Food. Bar.Food features “global comfort food,” while a mother-daughter team creates soulsoothing pastries at Heritage Bakery & Café. The arts scene is equally diverse, epitomized by the Agora Downtown Market, a community of small businesses under one roof in an historic building. Named for James Madison, fourth president and the “Father of the Constitution,” are the stunning Hotel Madison and James Madison University (JMU), where nearly 20,000 students lend a youthful vitality to this historic town. Fun Festival: Harrisonburg International Festival, September VIRGINIA .ORG 13 Within Virginia’s larger cities, find pockets of uniqueness that make you feel like you’re in a small town! ROANOKE’S HISTORIC GRANDIN VILLAGE This walkable urban village is eclectic and family-friendly at the same time. Spend Saturday morning at the Community Market, dine on an outdoor patio, shop independentlyowned boutiques and take in a first-run or classic film at the 1930s Grandin Theatre. RICHMOND’S SCOTT’S ADDITION One of the hottest, newly revitalized neighborhoods in the state capital. Warehouses converted to breweries, cideries and distilleries, bold street murals, a cinema and a retro bowling alley make this a happening night scene. Immerse yourself in Virginia’s Lake Country at Virginia’s only lakeside town. Buggs Island Lake, also known as Kerr Reservoir, draws anglers to dozens of fishing tournaments yearl