On the map, this was indistinguishable from nearby Dameron Marsh. Upon arriving, I was surprised by…read morewhat I found here. A short boardwalk leads to a genuine beach, one of the larger and nicer ones I've ever seen on the Chesapeake. Don't get me wrong, nobody's surfing on the little waves the bay generates, but it's still got a nice beach aesthetic and a good view. Several cautions are warranted, including the obvious risks of biting insects (not so much on the beach, but definitely on the inland track) and jellyfish. But I was surprised when a local told me that some of the marshy areas and the stream where a lagoon flows into the bay are prone to developing quicksand, to the point where people can get seriously stuck. (Unlike in movies, quicksand is not likely to drown you on its own but I still would not want to step in it). So watch out for that and bring some bug spray. Plant and animal life was abundant, and between the forest, the marsh, and the beach, there was a variety of scenery. So little of the bay is open to the public and preserved in this way. And this is not a park per se, and so unlike most state parks, this is free to enter. The parking area is small, and signage says they do not allow parking outside the lines, so visitation will be limited simply by space. But if you see a space open there, I'd take it.

This park is fantastic. There are only 11 parking spaces, so access is limited. The trail through…read morethe woods is beautiful. Some of the trail is raised wooden platforms. The beach is amazing. It is rustic and beautiful with marshlands and wildlife. There are two hiking options. One is interior and goes in the woods. The other is beachfront. Both trails are great. There is one point where there is a small inland marshy lake. It is usually connected to the bay. The water here is usually flowing in or out depending on the tide. Be very careful trying to cross because the sand is soft and you could get stuck. It is remote, so you might not easily get help. The wildlife in this area is great. Sometimes I have seen hundreds of flapping rays just off shore. Birds, fish you never know. Fo and enjoy this special treasure.

To set expectations, Yorktown Battlefield, like many battlefields in the U.S., is essentially a…read morefield. There isn't much to see, BUT the signs located throughout are helpful. They also have cannons and other items to help bring it to life. For me, the beauty of this battlefield is in the little museum in the visitor's center and the Nelson and Moore Houses. The Nelson House is a historic home that was struck by cannons during the siege. The Moore House is where the end of the war was largely negotiated. Once you arrive at the visitor's center, pay $15 for a pass that's good for a few days. It also gives you access to Historic Jamestown. Staff will give you maps and more info on the self-driving tour.

We had an incredible time exploring the battlefield and driving from location to location. My…read morehusband is a veteran so we got free admission which pleasantly surprised us that I also qualified as his wife. The staff was so nice and explained everything. We took the map and went to each site, read the plaques and paid our respect to those lost. The weather was perfect and everything was clearly labeled and well taken care of. We had a great time learning all about the battle and touring the grounds.

The York River State Park is approximately 15 minutes north of Colonial Williamsburg and offers an…read moreabundance of walking/biking trails, picnic areas, and playgrounds. The park entrance is a few miles inland from I-64 and takes you directly to a visitor center where you can pick up a trail map, use the restroom, and buy something from their gift shop. There is a small discovery center in the visitor center with fish and smaller animals. We opted for the Fossil beach trail and really enjoyed the easy terrain to get to and from the beach. Once on the beach you have the opportunity to go shell hunting and can find the remains of fossils that have washed ashore. The park staff was friendly and super helpful! We plan on returning in the warmer months to try a new trail and bring a picnic lunch!

Visiting Fossil Beach with views of the water, sand cliffs, and fossils, you have to enter this…read morestate park. There's a fee on the honor system, restrooms, picnic areas, and well-marked trails.

I love this park! I try to go several times a week. There seem to be endless trail possibilities…read morewith all of the intersections and turns you can choose from. And the landscape and terrain changes throughout the seasons. The biking trails look really fun, although I have not been brave enough to try them yet myself. All of the trails are very well maintained.

Great trail - very woodsy. Picnic area, little playground and 1 public toilet in parking area at…read moretrail entrance. Definitely take DEET and watch out for some poison ivy on a few areas! Fun day trip hike away from Richmond - about an hour's drive.

This is definitely a park for a more experienced hiker. The park is well maintained in some areas…read moreand not in others. Was quite difficult to consistently make out the trail markings and follow along with maps. It also feels quite isolated so would reccomend going with someone. The entry ride into the park is quite long, narrow and only accommodates one car at a time. It is also gravel so its important to drive at a moderate speed. Most of the trails are gravel/dirt and there is a lot of greenery to admire. They also have multiple docks available for fishing or to admire the water. I went in the month of May '25 and there were a lot of ticks around, so be mindful and be sure to check yourself after your walk/hike.

A beautiful place to see wildlife, and to recharge in nature. Open every day of the year, and free!read more

There are always suspicious men walking around. I did not feel safe at all. I had to contact a park…read moreranger because a man was being inappropriate. I dont recommend this park for women to explore solo.

I love this jewel in the middle of the city. It's such a sanctuary. It's small enough to not get…read morelost, the views everywhere are gorgeous, and it is seldom crowded. It's a clean park too. Whenever I feel stressed, I make a beeline for this little slice of heaven. When I have out of town visitors, I always take them here. I have some of the prettiest pictures that were taken during different seasons from this park. I love it here.

It's a strange thing to try to put a Yelp rating to, because this is a small park. When they say…read moreonly eight parking spots and nowhere else in the area to park or access the trails, they mean it. And when you hit the beach, you'll struggle to walk far in either direction amongst the driftwood. It was maybe a little over an hour visit for me, and maybe you could push it a little more if you did all the side trails. But I guess the thing for me is that I don't really have any desire to see them do anything different with the space. While much of the shoreline is developed or inaccessible, this area offers a fascinating variety of landscapes. The flora shift dramatically and suddenly, and you don't need signage to tell you where one zone ends and another begins. The diversion off of the main highway is not a huge one, and it is an interesting and worthwhile site.

Full disclosure. We weren't able to fully experience this area because sunset was already…read morehappening. If coming from downtown Cape Charles, the parking lot will be on your right. Look for the kiosk sign, it's a small dirt parking lot. It's easy to miss if you don't pay attention. The lot is said to house 8 cars. Trails are not paved and consist of a mixture of dirt, root laden and sand terrain. There is a small boardwalk to cross on one of the trails that leads to beach access that veers to the right. The trail that leads to the right is roughly Half a mile to slightly a 3/4 mile to the beach. I recommend wearing shoes and not flip flops. I did have shoes on. The starting trails have plenty of shade. We only took one of the three trails due to limited time and it was dark by the time we made it back. They do close the gate by sunset. I happened to be too busy looking at my phone on the way back and actually walked right into the gate. If you do go to catch the sunset, make sure you give yourself at least 10-15 minutes to get back or else you will be stuck using your cellphone flashlight to find your way back or maybe bring a headlight just in case. Also, I didn't have cellphone service, so make sure if you visit in the evening, that you let people know of your whereabouts, prior to heading out in case of an emergency. On the website they say there are no bathrooms, but I happened to see a port a potty on one part of the trail. It looks like a nice place to take walks and explore. I would like to go back and check out the other trails.

This is a fun state park to visit! There is a beautiful area by the water that is great for walking.read more

I'm staying in the lovely guest house in the scenic Riverside Belle Idle and couldn't be more…read morepleased. The view from the bay window is phenomenal, the space large and comfortable. We've had trails to wander, seen wildlife, and could even go crabbing, pots provided (both kinds, to catch and cook!). The park is serene and so beautiful with the estuary, river, beachy, and woodsy biomes to observe.

There's a lot to explore in Freedom Park making it worth the time investment. Within one giant park…read moreis one of the earliest free Black communities with replica houses set up like a little museum. There's also an archeological area with a historic cemetery. The Williamsburg Botanical Gardens is inside as well as a visitor's center with exhibits and clean restrooms.

This 600-acre park impresses me. It's a pristine public recreation area found in James City, VA…read morewith many interesting components. My hub rode the 20 miles of mountain bike trails while I spent time walking the paths that wind through historical sites and open fields. While here, I stumbled upon the Williamsburg Botanical Garden. It features 800 species of native vegetation and entrance is free. Saw a wedding being set up; what a great site to have such a ceremony. The best surprise of all is the presence of one of the first Free Black Settlements in the US. There are 3 cabins, all furnished with items of the period (1803-1850), situated in a graceful clearing. The structures are easy to see inside and out, a trip back in time, for sure. A fellow Yelper writes that Freedom Park is one of the best places to visit if on a tight budget in the Williamsburg region. I heartily agree. There are no fees for anything, unlike other parks in the tri-city area (meaning Williamsburg/Jamestown/Yorktown). I found myself returning here for several days during the week that I was a tourist recently because this place is so enjoyable and tranquil.