Colonial National Historical Park

Colonial National Historic Park (NHP) administers two of the most historically significant sites in English North America. Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America in 1607, is administer jointly with the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, and Yorktown Battlefield, the final major battle of the American Revolutionary War in 1781.

These two sites represent the beginning and end of English colonial America. Situated on the Virginia Peninsula, these sites are connected by the 23 mile scenic Colonial Parkway. Colonial NHP also includes Green Spring, the 17th century plantation home of Virginia's colonial governor, Sir William Berkeley and the Cape Henry Memorial, which marks the approximate site of the first landing of the Jamestown colonists in April of 1607.

Colonial NHP has a variety of natural resources including extensive wetlands, forest, fields, shorelines and streams, as well as rare, threatened and endangered plants and animals.

P.O. Box 210
Yorktown, VA 23690
757-898-3400 - Headquarters
757-898-2410 - Visitor Information
757-229-1733 - Visitor Information

By Plane
To Park: via personal vehicle and bicycle. Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (20 minutes from Yorktown), Norfolk International Airport (one hour east) and Richmond International Airport (one hour west) provide commercial air service.

By Car
Colonial National Historical Park is located a short distance from Interstate 64 (I-64). Eastbound from the Richmond area via I-64, take Route 199, exit 242A for Jamestown or exit 242B for Yorktown, to the Colonial Parkway. Follow the parkway to its end. West bound Interstate 64 from the Virginia Beach/Norfolk/Hampton area for Yorktown should take Route 105 East (Fort Eustis Boulevard east), exit 250B to Route 17 (George Washington Memorial Highway). Turn left (North) onto Route 17. Follow the signs to the Yorktown Battlefield. Westbound Interstate 64 for Jamestown should take Route 199, exit 242A, to the Colonial Parkway following it to its end.

In Park: personal vehicles, bicycles (on paved surfaces only) and on foot. The Colonial Parkway (23 miles) connects the Yorktown and Jamestown units of the park

By Plane
AMTRAK has stations in Newport News and Williamsburg. Greyhound has commercial bus service to Newport News and Williamsburg. Rental cars and taxi service are available from all of these locations.

Tidewater Virginia generally has a warm climate. Average winter daytime temperatures peak at 10 C (50 F) with night time lows of 3 C (25-20 F). Chilling winds coming off the rivers can produce wind chill temperatures much lower. Summer temperatures range from daytime highs of 30 C (85-90 F) down to 20 C (60 F) at night. Area is generally humid, especially during the summer months. Layered clothing is recommended in early spring, late fall and winter. Good walking shoes for year round comfort. Insect repellent recommended in spring and summer for mayflies, mosquitoes, chiggers, and ticks. For a three to five day fore cast try NOAA Local Weather at http://www.nnic.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/page?pg=netcast.

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.

• Auto Touring
• Biking
• Educational Programs
• Fishing
• Wildlife Viewing
• Bird Watching

Recommended Activities
Allow a minimum of two hours at either Yorktown or Jamestown to see the visitor center, orientation film and key historic features at each location. Driving tours of Jamestown Island, Yorktown Battlefield and allied encampment sites as well as the walking tour of the village of Yorktown require a minumum of 45 minutes to an hour each. Scheduled ranger-guided tours are available dependent upon staffing.