We went here the other day as the kids were on spring break.. it looks bigger from the pics online…read morebut it's still a pretty solid park .. the zip line was a huge hit for the kids, even my 14yr loved it .. there are plenty benches and shade for the adults . Took is 49 minutes to get there and it was worth the drive

Ok, this park is PERFECT. No, seriously. It has reached park perfection. There is the biggest (and…read moremost fun looking) playground that I've ever seen. There looks to be some sort of 'ship' for their imagination as well as several slides and merry go rounds and everything to keep the little ones busy. Going around this park, is a walking trail. It's not too long, its not too short. It's just right. You can leisurely stroll around the entire park, taking a break to watch the kiddies or...and this is the best part, watch the pooches. Among it's perfection, this park has three, VERY large dog parks. Two for the biggies (they need the room) and one GINORMOUS park for the Lil Napoleons (ever meet a small dog that didn't have a Napoleon complex?) This dog park is so big that after throwing the ball for 30 minutes, my very energetic poodle came up to me panting heavily & I swear I could hear "Uncle" as he dropped the ball & walked away. The grounds inside the dog parks are kept beautifully. There is a volunteer who faithfully cleans out the water bowls, picks up anything that parents left behind, supplies balls to all of the parks & for a bonus will even snuggle any pet needing a confidence boost. I am very hesitant in writing this review because if word spreads too far & fast, then everyone will want to come here & there will be a line. There are very friendly owners that come to this park, all different breeds. One day it will be all poodles, doodles, chichipoos, doxies...you just never know who you will meet!

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.

This is a small historic park with a well-preserved redoubt, which is a defensive post (used during…read morethe Civil War to monitor troop movement and activity along the road going down to the James River). It was uncrowded in mid-April 2025 and includes a pleasant 0.5 mile walk to the redoubt itself which is dog-friendly. The back side of the parking area leads to a much longer Tuttle trail (3+ miles) that looked hilly. Well-worth the short stop here to walk our dog during a brief weekend visit to Williamsburg! I think the park closes around 8pm, but is open during regular daylight hours.

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.

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 park has the potential to be really nice, but at times it gets overcrowded and parents are…read morenot attentive. Little ones will get pushed and trampled by older kids if they're not watched. I wish parks and rec could hire park monitors to help with that. In the cooler months it's not too bad, but warmer months it stays packed. I would recommend going early on a weekday if you want any type of enjoyment.

Stunning new park that features so many amenities! Including a huge playground, splash area and a…read morebmx/skate park. There is also a nice 1 mile loop trail that courses around the park. The trail is completely paved and has nice views of nature. It is partially shaded and quite open making it an awesome spot for a solo stroll or a walking group.

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.

Nice park to explore and walk through with a botanical garden to see. Place was well maintained…read more Some of the trails are bicycle friendly & paved. The admission is free. Parking and finding the place were very easy to find. One of the best things to do for free or on a low budget at Williamsburg.

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

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!

With plenty of trail choices and view options, I spent the morning hiking several miles of trails…read morehere, from the Taskinas Creek trail, to the Fossil Beach via Beaver Pond, and finally circling back along the Mattaponi, Woodstock Pond, Beaver Pond, to Backbone back to the parking lot. There was fresh water for the dog, and plenty of views with woodsy strolls in between. There were several people with off leash dogs, but they were typically quick to get them under control. Check out the gift shop for friendly service and a decent selection of gifts, snacks, and beverages!

I love that there is plenty of parking here!…read more It is SO BIG! It is nice that there is an area closed off with a gate for little ones to help keep them in one spot. It was definitely overwhelming having 3 kids running ALL around... it was hard to be able to keep eyes on them the entire time so thankful I was there with another mama and we all watched each other's. The kids had a blast darting in ALL directions. We will definitely be packing a cooler and a picnic blanket next time to be able to stay longer. There is a walking trail next to it, there is plenty of benches, umbrellas, shade, and a few tables. It was very well maintained.

Great park, clean facilities, 8 Pickleball courts that are well maintained. Highly recommendedread more