Beginning Tuesday, April 9, 2024, construction will close the Colonial Parkway to all travel in either direction between Yorktown and VA Route 199. Follow all detour signs. See additional closure information in the link below.

Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway continues with additional Parkway closures

On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that would eventually seek independence from Great Britain. On October 19, 1781, American and French troops defeated the British at Yorktown in the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War.

Adult (16 and older) -$15; good for 7 days entrance to Yorktown Battlefield (and NPS areas at Historic Jamestowne); can be upgraded to see Preservation Virginia areas at Historic Jamestowne for an additional $15 at the Historic Jamestowne Visitor Center. Yorktown Battlefield will not be selling the $30 entrance permit for Historic Jamestowne.

Entrance - Per Person

The Colonial Annual Pass admits passholder and three accompanying adults unlimited admittance to both NPS areas at Historic Jamestowne and Yorktown Battlefield during regular operating hours. Pass is valid for twelve months from the month of purchase. Note: There is an additional $ 15.00 Preservation Virginia entrance fee for each adult entering on the Colonial Pass to Historic Jamestowne to visit the Preservation Virginia historic areas.

Annual Entrance - Park

Yorktown Battlefield

Bikers at Entrance to Historic Jamestowne Tour Road

Historic Jamestowne Visitor Center

Bacon's Rebellion

The Royal Artillery Living History Team Firing Yorktown Battlefield's 6 Pounder

Yorktown National Cemetery

Colonial Parkway

Colonial

The Historic Jamestowne Visitor Center is open for access to the Preservation Virginia Museum store and for fee collection. The theater and exhibit areas are currently closed. The Historic Jamestowne ENTRANCE GATE opens 8:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily. Historic Jamestowne Gift Shop is open 9 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily.

Glasshouse is open 8:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Thanksgiving Day

Christmas Day

New Years Day

Historic Jamestowne

The Glasshouse parking area is the first right after you pass through the entrance gate. Park and follow the path to the Glasshouse. Public restrooms are available at this location.

English America's first industry was glassblowing. Here at the Glasshouse, costumed interpreters use the same techniques and tools employed by glassblowers of 1608. Demonstrations are ongoing daily during operating hours.

Thanksgiving

Christmas

New Year's Day

Glasshouse

Yorktown Visitor Center is open for gift shop daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Self-Guided Tours - Auto

There is a <a href="https://www.nps.gov/colo/planyourvisit/fees.htm">15 dollar fee</a> per person, to go on the Yorktown Battlefield Tour. National Park passes are honored. Passes and tickets are available at the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/york/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm">Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center.</a>

Sign with arrow for red route of the Yorktown Battlefield Auto Tour

The Yorktown Battlefield Auto Tour

The Yorktown Battlefield Auto Tour (Red Route) begins at the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center. Maps are available at the Visitor Center.  

Driving the red route of the Yorktown Battlefield Auto Tour is an excellent way to see all the major aspects of the Siege of Yorktown. Beginning at the Visitor Center parking lot, it is a six-stop tour that takes visitors to the most important spots on the battlefield. Red Arrow signs direct you from one stop to the next.   Keep in mind the tour does backtrack at times (for example you will pass stop C to get to stop B) so pay close attention to <a href="https://www.nps.gov/york/planyourvisit/maps.htm">the map</a> that is available at the Yorktown Visitor Center.   A CD Audio Tour is available for sale for 5 dollars at the Yorktown Battlefield Museum Shop in the Visitor Center or <a href="https://www.nps.gov/york/yorktown-guide-app.htm">you can download a free app from the Battlefield Trust.</a> <ul> <li> Stop A: British Inner Defense Line </li> <li> Stop B: Grand French Battery </li> <li> Stop C: Second Allied Siege Line </li> <li> Stop D: Redoubts 9 and 10 </li> <li> Stop E: Moore House </li> <li>Stop F: Surrender Field</li> </ul>

Dogs are welcome at Yortown Battlefield. They must be on a visible leash. Pets are not allowed inside the Yorktown Visitor or inside the National Cemetery at stop C.  

The Yorktown Battlefield Tour is open year.  There may be exceptions with severe weather events.  

Open year round until sunset, the Yorktown Battlefield Red Route Auto Tour is a 7 mile drive that takes visitors to the most important spots on the Yorktown Battlefield. Allow at least 45 minute to complete this tour. There are information waysides at each of the stops and along the route.

The Yorktown Battlefield is open from 9:00 Am until sunset. 

Drive the Red Route of the Yorktown Battlefield Auto Tour

American Revolution

Animals

Birds

Tortoises and Turtles

Photography

Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite

National Cemetery

Colonization and Settlement

Dams

Forests and Woodlands

Grasslands

Meadows

Groundwater

Freshwater Springs

Lakes

Maritime

Maritime - Military

Military

Artillery

Battlefields

Infantry and Militia

Monuments and Memorials

Natural Sounds

Presidents

Religion and Spirituality

Churches

River and Riparian

Scenic Views

Trails

Wars and Conflicts

American Revolutionary War

Civil War

Wetlands

Marshes

Swamps

A yellow arrow pointing the way beside the Yorktown Tour road

Yellow Route Battlefield Auto Tour

The yellow route of the Yorktown Battlefield Tour begins at Surrender Field (Stop F)

The Yellow Route of the of the Yortown Battlefield Auto Tour is an optional  Allied Encampment Tour. The Allied Encampment Tour takes you around to locations used by the American and French troops for sleeping, drilling, and storing artillery and other equipment. This tour that begins at Surrender Field (stop F) of the Battlefield Tour.  The Yellow Route takes you through the typical woodlands of the area and an excellent route for walking and cycling, Once you are on this route you will be commited for at least 6 miles.   A<a href="https://www.nps.gov/york/planyourvisit/maps.htm"> map</a> is available at the Yorktown Visitor Center.   A CD Audio Tour is available for sale for 5 dollars at the Yorktown Battlefield Museum Shop in the Visitor Center or <a href="https://www.nps.gov/york/yorktown-guide-app.htm">you can download a free app from the Battlefield Trust.</a>

The Yorktown Battlefield Tour is open year.  There may be exceptions with severe weather or other events.

Open year round until sunset, the optional Yorktown Battlefield Yellow Route Auto Tour is a 9 mile drive that takes visitors through the Allied Encampment areas. . Allow at least 30 minute to complete this tour. There are information waysides at each of the stops and along the route.

Drive the Yellow Route of the Yorktown Battlefield Auto Tour

Watersheds

Self-Guided Tours - Walking

Enter the building and view the exhibits. You can continue the interpretive trail once outside this building that will lead you back to the parking lot.

Glasshouse Ruins

Once through the entry gate turn left and park. Walk down a sloped sidewalk. There are two structures. First one you see if the current glassworks and gift shop. Behind that is the glasshouse ruins.

At "glass point" near Jamestown, the glass furnaces were re-discovered and excavated in 1948. Here you see the original glassworks as an archaeological site. Jamestown was established by the Virginia Company of London in May 1607. Their 1606 charter, granted by King James I, outlined the many purposes and goals of the Company. But like all good companies, its primary duty was to provide a profitable return to the investors. One of the first English attempts at industrialization and manufacturing in America was glassblowing.The Company hoped glass production might provide the profit that it was looking for. The New World abounded with raw materials -wood for fuel and ash, and sand (silica) for the glass. All that was needed were artisans and various laborers to produce the glass. Today, in a reconstructed, interpretive facility, glassblowing is again performed at Jamestown. Modern artisans, in reproductive clothing, produce common glass objects very much as they must have done almost 400 years ago.

Be aware that in winter it can be windy and cold due to wind coming off the James River immediately south of this site.

Site of the original glassworks. Site is self guiding with waysides and items to see within the building.

Archeology

Industry

Scenic Driving

Island Loop Drive

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="cs_idLayout2" summary="" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td id="cs_idCell2x1x1">Jamestown has a one-way three/five mile scenic loop drive of the Island. This loop drive is open to pedestrians, bicycles and motor vehicles. Safety issues prohibit buses, motor homes or vehicles over 5-tons from using the Loop Drive. From the Historic Jamestowne parking lot, follow the signs to the loop drive. All state and local traffic regulations apply.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Jamestown has a one-way three/five mile scenic loop drive of the Island. This loop drive is open to pedestrians, bicycles and motor vehicles. Safety issues prohibit buses, motor homes or vehicles over 5-tons from using the Loop Drive. From the Historic Jamestowne parking lot, follow the signs to the loop drive. All state and local traffic regulations apply.

Craft Demonstrations

English America's first industry was glassblowing. Here at the Glasshouse, costumed interpreters use the same techniques and tools employed by glassblowers of 1608. Demonstrations are ongoing daily during operating hours.

Children should be accompanied with an adult.

Jamestown Glasshouse

The Glasshouse parking area is the first right after you pass through the entrance gate. Park and follow the path to the Glasshouse. Public restrooms are available at this location.

Come witness what was surely one of England's first industries in North America. You will be mesmerized as artisans form glass into useful household products. Many of these treasures can be purchased through our sales outlet at the Glasshouse. Visitors can see the remains of the original furnaces used by those early glassblowers and watch as modern glassblowers produce wine bottles, pitchers, candleholders and various other glass objects. Today's glass furnaces are heated by natural gas, rather than by wood as in 1608. Glassblowers, however, use tools and methods similar to those of the 17th century.   <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="cs_idLayout2" summary="" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td id="cs_idCell2x1x1"> The Glasshouse and Glasshouse Gift Shop are operated by Eastern National, a not-for-profit "cooperating association" that supports the National Park Service. Visitors can watch as glass artisans make green glass wine bottles, similar to those found at Jamestown, and other items. These include vases, pitchers, candleholders, wine glasses and paper weights, just to name a few. These items are available for purchase and a portion of all sales comes back to the National Park Service. So any purchase helps support the Glassblowing demonstrations and the National Park Service at Historic Jamestowne. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="cs_idLayout2" summary="" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td id="cs_idCell2x1x1"> Jamestown Glasshouse, 1368 Colonial Parkway, Jamestown, Virginia 23081, Phone: (757) 229-2437, FAX: (757) 229-7531 </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Visitors can see the remains of the original furnaces used by those early glassblowers and watch as modern glassblowers produce wine bottles, pitchers, candleholders and various other glass objects.

Ruins

Trade

Bald Eagle

Colonial has had a number of American bald eagles nest within the park. Formerly endangered, America's national bird has made an amazing recovery, due in large part to the survey and protective measures accomplished over the past 20 years. Breeding bald eagle populations can be observed at nesting sites along the York and James Rivers and at Jamestown Island. The best location for viewing bald eagles is at Historic Jamestowe due to its proximity to the James River. The Tour Loop Road at Historic Jamestowne allows visitors to view an assortment of birds. Yorktown Battlefield is not so much wetlands, but forests so the variety of birds may differ. Nonetheless, the roadways afford birding opportunities.

The park's location along the Atlantic flyway affords visitors the opportunity to see wintering, migratory, and breeding birds along park roads.

Birding

The Colonial Parkway is a twenty-three mile scenic roadway stretching from the York River at Yorktown to the James River at Jamestown. It connects Virginia's historic triangle: Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. Several million travelers a year use this route to enjoy the natural and cultural beauty of Virginia.

There are numerous pull offs and waysides to read along the 23 miles.

Best understanding of history along the route is to begin immediately outside Historic Jamestowne and proceed to Yorktown Battlefield. Passing is only allowed in the marked passing zones and when oncoming traffic is clear. The maximum Parkway speed limit is 45 miles per hour.

The Colonial Parkway is a twenty-three mile scenic roadway stretching from the York River at Yorktown to the James River at Jamestown. It connects Virginia's historic triangle: Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. Several million travelers a year use this route to enjoy the natural and cultural beauty of Virginia. The Parkway's construction presented the National Park Service with a unique challenge: build a thoroughfare unifying culturally distinct sites crossing several pristine natural environments while still maintaining the National Park Service's prime directive "to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same." Adding to the complexity of the project was a construction period extending over twenty-six years through the Depression, World War II, and funding shortages. COLONIAL PARKWAY TUNNEL <ul> <li>Clearance/height of tunnel at curb line, Jamestown-bound: 10' 4"</li> <li>Clearance/height of tunnel at curb line, Yorktown-bound: 10' 6"</li> <li>Clearance at the two rows of overhead tunnel lights: 14' 8"</li> <li>Fun Fact: Tunnel was built in 1942 and is 1,190 feet long.</li> </ul>

Dogs must be on leash if leaving vehicle.

The Colonial Parkway is a scenic roadway stretching from the York River at Yorktown to the James River at Jamestown.

Waysides and scenic views are only viewable during daylight.

Deciduous Forests

Roads, Routes and Highways

Tunnels

Throughout much of the year, Main Street of Yorktown is closed to vehicles.

One can walk Main street without paying the fee.  To go into the Nelson House a fee is required. There is a <a href="https://www.nps.gov/colo/planyourvisit/fees.htm">10 dollar fee</a> per person, to go on the Yorktown Battlefield Tour. National Park passes are honored. Passes and tickets are available at the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/york/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm">Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center.</a>

A painting of the 1781 village of Yorktown

Historic Yorktown

Yorktown's Main Street starts just 450 yard from the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center.  

Walking down Main street of Yorktown is an excellent way to see many important reminders of Yorktown's 18th century past. . On Main Street is the Nelson House, the Georgian Manor style home of Thomas Nelson. Jr.; built by his grandfather, Scotch Tom Nelson in the early 18th century, it is the most prominent of the remaining 18th century structures.Nearby is the Dudley Digges house, built in the mid-18th century by Yorktown lawyer Dudley Digges, who held several important positions in Virginia's colonial and state government. Also along Main Street is the Customhouse. where taxes were collected on imported and exported goods passing through the port, and the Sessions, Pate and Somerwell houses. On nearby streets are Grace Church and the Smith and Ballard houses. Reconstructed 18th century buildings, including the Swan Tavern, also help preserve Yorktown's historical atmosphere. A map of Historic Yorktown is available at the Yorktown Battlefield.  A <a href="https://www.nps.gov/york/yorktown-guide-app.htm">free app from the Battlefield Trust</a> is available that includes a tour of Historic Yorktown.

<ul> <li>Pets are permitted within most areas of Yorktown Battlefield. Regulations require that dogs remain on a leash when out in the park.</li> <li>Pets are prohibited within the brick wall of the National Cemetery.</li> <li>The leaving of pets unattended or tied to any object in the park is prohibited, including the exterior of motor vehicles parked with park boundaries. Pets may not be left unattended within motor vehicles without proper ventilation and water or in weather that may be hazardous to the immediate welfare of the animal.</li> <li>Pet excrement shall be removed by the pet owner/handler from picnic areas, exhibit areas, trails and other areas with heavy public use.</li> </ul>

Informal tours of The Nelson House are offered through the year as staffing permits.

Historic Yorktown is available year round. The Nelson House is open as staffing permits. There are informational waysides along Main Street.

Main street of Yorktown can be walked year round. For most of the year it is closed to vehicles  Informal tours of the Nelson House are offered through the year as staffing permits.

Alert: Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway continues with additional Parkway closures

Colonial

Overview

Hours

Fees & Passes

Map

Things To Do

Category

Drive the Red Route of the Yorktown Battlefield Auto Tour

Description

Fees

Drive the Yellow Route of the Yorktown Battlefield Auto Tour

Description

Fees

Glasshouse Ruins

Description

Fees

Island Loop Drive

Description

Fees

Glasshouse

Description

Fees

Birding

Description

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