Trip Facts Parking Location: Main parking near the Visitors Center Parking Availability : 100+ spaces Fee: $4 per vehicle Hours: 8 AM to Dusk Verizon INTERNET Coverage: 1 bar (download trips and maps) Month Recorded: December York River State Park is known for its rare and delicate estuarine environment, where freshwater and saltwater meet to create a rich habitat for marine and plant life. It is on the York River and is designated as a Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The pristine environment offers clues to a rich natural and cultural history and hosts fossil beds and Colonial and Native American artifacts. More than 30 miles of hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails allow visitors to explore the marsh, river shoreline and forests. A boat ramp, fresh and salt water fishing spots, a fishing pier, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and seasonal boat and recreational equipment rentals are available. Known in its early history as Taskinas Plantation, this was the site of a 17th and 18th century public tobacco warehouse where local planters stored their crops to be shipped to England. Remnants of wooden "corduroy" roads dating from this period can still be seen along Taskinas Creek at low tide. Occurring on an unusually warm day in December, this hike combined portions of multiple trails, including the Backbone, Spur, Majestic Oak, and Powhatan Forks Trails. Most of these trails are spurs off of the Backbone Trail. For a trail map, go here: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/documents/yorkriver.pdf The trail briefly parallels the park access road, then heads into the woods. Highlights include archaeological sites for the former plantation, large oaks, views of the York River, a boardwalk, and steep creek ravines. Along the way, a variety of the usual winter woodland birds were seen, including golden-crowned kinglets and a pileated woodpecker. These trails are highly recommended. WEB LINKS - INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED and DATA RATES APPLY Press Highlighted Link - If link not active in your app, copy link to Web browser ************************************** This hike is described in the 60 Hikes book - here is an Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Hikes-Within-Miles-Williamsburg-Fredericksburg/dp/089732708X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428101620&sr=8-1&keywords=60HikesRichmond To learn more about this site, click the link below: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/york-river

Hiking/Backpacking

Stop in at the Visitor Center - it has many exhibits detailing the natural and cultural history of the area. There is also a wildflower garden that contains a wide variety of plants, all of which are identified by markers.

Richmond, James City County, nature, hiking

James City County, Virginia, United States

time : Dec 20, 2013 2:13 PM

duration : 2h 45m 18s

distance : 5.2 mi

total_ascent : 259 ft

highest_point : 112 ft

avg_speed : 1.9 mi/h

user_id : Riverinemn

user_firstname : Riverine

user_lastname : MasterNaturalists

Trip Facts Parking Location: Main parking near the Visitors Center Parking Availability : 100+ spaces Fee: $4 per vehicle Hours: 8 AM to Dusk Verizon INTERNET Coverage: 1 bar (download trips and maps) Month Recorded: December York River State Park is known for its rare and delicate estuarine environment, where freshwater and saltwater meet to create a rich habitat for marine and plant life. It is on the York River and is designated as a Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The pristine environment offers clues to a rich natural and cultural history and hosts fossil beds and Colonial and Native American artifacts. More than 30 miles of hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails allow visitors to explore the marsh, river shoreline and forests. A boat ramp, fresh and salt water fishing spots, a fishing pier, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and seasonal boat and recreational equipment rentals are available. Known in its early history as Taskinas Plantation, this was the site of a 17th and 18th century public tobacco warehouse where local planters stored their crops to be shipped to England. Remnants of wooden "corduroy" roads dating from this period can still be seen along Taskinas Creek at low tide. Occurring on an unusually warm day in December, this hike combined portions of multiple trails, including the Backbone, Spur, Majestic Oak, and Powhatan Forks Trails. Most of these trails are spurs off of the Backbone Trail. For a trail map, go here: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/documents/yorkriver.pdf The trail briefly parallels the park access road, then heads into the woods. Highlights include archaeological sites for the former plantation, large oaks, views of the York River, a boardwalk, and steep creek ravines. Along the way, a variety of the usual winter woodland birds were seen, including golden-crowned kinglets and a pileated woodpecker. These trails are highly recommended. WEB LINKS - INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED and DATA RATES APPLY Press Highlighted Link - If link not active in your app, copy link to Web browser ************************************** This hike is described in the 60 Hikes book - here is an Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Hikes-Within-Miles-Williamsburg-Fredericksburg/dp/089732708X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428101620&sr=8-1&keywords=60HikesRichmond To learn more about this site, click the link below: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/york-river