Park Amenities

PAMUNKEY TRAIL

The park is known for its rare and delicate estua- rine environment, where freshwater and saltwa- ter meet to create a rich habitat for marine and plant life. It is on the and is designat- ed as a National Estuarine Re- Directions: From Rt. 607 search Reserve. The pristine environment offers clues to a rich natural and cultural history and (exit 231B off of I-64), take a hosts fossil beds and Colonial and Native Ameri- can artifacts. Programs, activities and visitor right onto Riverview Rd., or center displays focus on the history, use, wildlife from Rt. 199 west (exit 234B and preservation of the York River and its marshes. Forty miles of hiking, mountain biking off of I-64) take a left onto and equestrian trails allow visitors to explore the marsh, river shoreline and forests. A boat ramp, Riverview Rd., and follow fresh and salt water fishing spots, a fishing pier, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and seasonal boat the signs to the Park rentals are available. entrance.

YORK RIVER STATE PARK

York River State Park 9801 York River Park Road Williamsburg, VA 23188-6732 Phone: 757-566-3036; Fax 757-566-4013 Email: yorkriver@dcr..gov : The River The Pamunkey is formed by the confluence of the North and South Anna Rivers in Han- The Pamunkey Trail sign will be on your over County. The non-tidal flow of the left . As you hike, you will pass the Spur Pamunkey is very shallow and can be Trail head. This leads to the John Blair plan- crossed on foot in some places. The river tation seat and the Forks Trail. becomes tidal near US Route 360 between Continue on Pamunkey and there are two Hanover and King William Counties. Near steep hills that lead down to the overlook. Sweet Hall Marsh, the water turns brackish and meets the smaller River at the of West Point to form the York.

The overlook has a wooden viewing plat- Pamunkey: The Trail form . During the winter, waterfowl such as Just off of Backbone, the Pamunkey Trail is buffleheads, canvasbacks, and rudy ducks almost a mile long one way. It is multi- are plentiful. The fringe marsh at the end of Pamunkey: The People purpose with plenty of room for horseback the trail is teeming with fiddler crabs and The Pamunkey were one of the most influen- riders and mountain bikers as well as hikers. periwinkle snails in warm weather. Great tial of the tribes in the Powhatan Confederacy It connects to the Spur Trail and intersects blue herons and other shorebirds can also be at the time of the Jamestown Landing in the John Blair (Mountain Bike) Trail. found. 1607. Their movement was restricted to To reach the Pamunkey, hike Backbone be- lands north of the York River (then known hind the Contact Station passing the Me-Te- as the Pamunkey) as of the 1645 Middle Kos, Beaver, and Woodstock Pond Trails. Plantation Treaty. In the 1670’s several The terrain is flat surrounded by mostly members of the tribe were pursued and killed American Beech, Hickory, and White Oaks. along Dragon Run Swamp between King & A wheel-wrights shop, blacksmith’s shop, Queen and Middlesex Counties. The and slave quarters from the old Taskinas Pamunkey Reservation is located in King Plantation have been discovered along Back- William County along the river that bears bone Trail. their name.