Eleven miles west of Williamsburg, York River State Park offers visitors an opportunity to experience the environment of a coastal estuary. This park is known for its rare and delicate environment, where freshwater and saltwater meet to create a habitat rich in marine and plant life. The main focus of the park is to preserve a portion of York River frontage and its related marshes while providing an area for passive day-use recreation for visitors. York River State Park served as a role model for all of Virginia's state parks in developing resource management plans. The park's natural resources make it a significant place for environmental education at all levels.
Riverview Trail is a 2.34-kilometer hiking trail located in York River State Park, eleven miles west of Williamsburg, Virginia, featuring 87 scenic observation points throughout the route. This moderately easy trail with minimal elevation (43.88m) winds through a rare coastal estuary environment where freshwater meets saltwater, creating an exceptional habitat for observing diverse marine life, native plant species, and migratory birds. Hikers can expect well-maintained paths through marshlands and river frontage with outstanding educational opportunities to learn about delicate estuarine ecosystems.