York River State Park
Also known as Croaker Landing Archaeological Site (44JC70)
- Status
- Status not postedDaily 8 a.m. – sunset
- Entrance fee
- $5 per vehicleAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- dcr.virginia.gov(757) 566-3036
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
York River State Park is a 2,939-acre park in James City County, about 9 miles north of Williamsburg.
Visitors come for horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, boating, biking, and hiking. The official site lists about 40 miles of trails. Water access includes a boat ramp and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 8 a.m. – sunset | — |
Official wording
8 a.m. - dusk.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Pets
'Pets are welcome in most outdoor areas of our parks.' 'Leashes may be no longer than 6 feet.' 'Pets are not permitted in yurts.' 'There is a $20 additional nightly charge per pet for cabin stays. There is no additional charge for pets in campgrounds.'
Statewide rule from Virginia's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Passenger Vehicle Parking and Admission Fees – Standard | $5 |
| Passenger Vehicle Parking and Admission Fees – Weekends (Apr–Oct*) | $5 |
| Boat Launch and Equestrian Fees – In addition to Daily Parking Fee Year-Round Per Trailer – Boat | $3 · day |
| Boat Launch and Equestrian Fees – In addition to Daily Parking Fee Year-Round Per Trailer – Boat | $3 · day |
| Boat Launch and Equestrian Fees – In addition to Daily Parking Fee Year-Round Per Trailer – Boat | $4 · day |
| Boat Launch and Equestrian Fees – In addition to Daily Parking Fee Year-Round Per Trailer – Pier | $3 · day |
| Boat Launch and Equestrian Fees – In addition to Daily Parking Fee Year-Round Per Trailer – Pier | $3 · day |
| Boat Launch and Equestrian Fees – In addition to Daily Parking Fee Year-Round Per Trailer – Pier | $4 · day |
| Boat Launch and Equestrian Fees – In addition to Daily Parking Fee Year-Round Per Trailer – Equestrian | $3 · day |
| Boat Launch and Equestrian Fees – In addition to Daily Parking Fee Year-Round Per Trailer – Equestrian | $3 · day |
| Boat Launch and Equestrian Fees – In addition to Daily Parking Fee Year-Round Per Trailer – Equestrian | $4 · day |
| High Occupancy Vehicle and Bus Parking and Admission Fees – HOV 9–15 passengers Standard | $13 |
| High Occupancy Vehicle and Bus Parking and Admission Fees – HOV 9–15 passengers Weekends Apr–Oct* | $13 |
| High Occupancy Vehicle and Bus Parking and Admission Fees – Buses 16 or more Year-Round | $30 |
Official wording
Passenger Vehicle Parking and Admission Fees – Standard: $5 Passenger Vehicle Parking and Admission Fees – Weekends (Apr–Oct*): $5 Boat Launch and Equestrian Fees – In addition to Daily Parking Fee Year-Round Per Trailer – Boat: $3 Boat, $3 Pier $4 Equestrian Boat Launch and Equestrian Fees – In addition to Daily Parking Fee Year-Round Per Trailer – Pier: $3 Boat, $3 Pier $4 Equestrian Boat Launch and Equestrian Fees – In addition to Daily Parking Fee Year-Round Per Trailer – Equestrian: $3 Boat, $3 Pier $4 Equestrian High Occupancy Vehicle and Bus Parking and Admission Fees – HOV 9–15 passengers Standard: $13 High Occupancy Vehicle and Bus Parking and Admission Fees – HOV 9–15 passengers Weekends Apr–Oct*: $13 High Occupancy Vehicle and Bus Parking and Admission Fees – Buses 16 or more Year-Round: $30
Virginia park passes
- Naturally Yours Passport — $85. Parking and admission for 12 months to all State Parks (admission for up to 4 at Natural Bridge and Southwest Virginia Museum) Details
- Senior Naturally Yours Passport — $40. Parking and admission for 12 months, age 62+ Details
- Naturally Yours Passport for Boaters/Equestrians — $180. Parking plus boat-launch / horse-trailer fees for 12 months Details
- Senior Naturally Yours Passport for Boaters/Equestrians — $145. As above, age 62+ Details
From the Virginia state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Virginia State Parks reservation system (reservevaparks.com)
- Phone
- 800-933-7275
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES
York River is a day-use park with no overnight accommodations. Other parks' rental rates for cabins and camping vary by season, offering and park. Rates are subject to verification by DCR's state parks reservations staff (1-800-933-PARK). First, determine the appropriate season, which can vary by park, then the relevant rate. Click here.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
BikingBoatingCanoeing and kayakingHorseback ridingHikingPicnicking
Trails
Hiking, bicycle and bridle trails. More than 40 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails provide access to the park’s beautiful and diverse natural areas. The park has ten multi-use use trails. There are five trails for mountain-bike use only, making up about half of the total mileage of our trails.Hikers enjoy challenging elevation changes and dramatic views along the Taskinas Creek Trail and discover the prehistoric past at Fossil Beach on the Mattaponi Trail. Equestrians of all skill levels enjoy secluded stretches of the Meh-Te-Kos Trail and test their skills on the Challenge Loop.
Swimming
The park has no designated swimming areas.
Boating, paddling and fishing
You'll find great fishing in three areas of the park. Freshwater anglers will find bluegill and largemouth bass in Woodstock Pond. A Virginia fishing license is required. Fishing is only allowed from the shoreline along the spillway and designated platforms.
The York River, where catfish, spot, croaker and crabs can be caught, is accessed at Croaker Landing. The landing has a boat launch dock, a 360-foot fishing pier, parking and restrooms. The pier is licensed so those fishing on the pier need no salt-water license. Those fishing from boats and the shore, however, must have a Virginia saltwater fishing license. You can buy an annual pass for parking, boat launching and pier fishing at the park or by calling 1-800-933-PARK. Parking and launch-fishing pier fees are required at all times.
Read more from the park
Taskinas Creek, which has catfish and white perch, requires either a valid saltwater or freshwater Virginia fishing license. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent at the creek. Weather and water conditions beyond our control may impact rentals. Call ahead to make sure they are available.
Motorboats are allowed only on the river. Rental boats have no motors. Guided canoe and kayak trips begin at the visitor center. Park guests learn about estuarine marsh ecology on the Taskinas Creek canoe trip or about the natural and cultural history of the York River on the kayak trip. Weather and water conditions beyond our control may impact rentals. Call ahead to make sure they are available.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Playground
- Visitor center
- Park or camp store
- Parking
- Amphitheater
Water
- Boat ramp
- Boat, canoe or kayak rentals
Recreation
- Horse trails
Accessibility
- Accessible trails
- Beach or all-terrain wheelchairs
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
- Beach or all-terrain wheelchairs
- Accessible trails
- Paved path along native plant arboretum leads to canoe dock
- ADA restrooms in day use area. Boat launch area has ADA stall but steps lead into restrooms.
- One-half mile, self-interpreted, paved path around day use area.
- Three-fourths mile (one way), primitive, backwoods, ADA trail. Depending on ability, assistance may be required.
- Amphitheater is universally accessible.
- Visitor center with live exhibits (in season).
- Paved path leads to picnic shelters 1 and 2.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 9801 York River Park Rd.
Williamsburg, VA 23188 - Nearest town
- Williamsburg — about 9 mi north (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 37.4055, -76.7143
- Phone
- (757) 566-3036
- YorkRiver@dcr.virginia.gov
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
From I-64, take the Croaker Exit 231B. Go north on Route 607 (Croaker Rd.) for one mile, then right on Route 606 (Riverview Rd.) about one and a half miles to the park entrance. Take a left turn into the park. Its address is 9801 York River Park Road, Williamsburg, Va. 23188. Latitude, 37.405520. Longitude, -76.714323. Drive Time: Northern Virginia, two to three hours; Richmond, one hour; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, one hour; Fredericksburg, two hours; Roanoke, five hours.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Virginia State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Oct 8, 2026
- Virginia State Parks 'Find a park' list (HTML, one 'Name (CODE)' link per park)
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology