York River State Park is one of the best locations for paddlers. We offer canoes and solo and tandem kayaks for rent. Guests are more than welcome to bring their own boats as well. On Saturdays, our American Canoe Association Certified rangers lead interpretive trips on Taskinas Creek and on the York River on Sunday evenings. Both bodies of water are great for exploring, wildlife watching, or just relaxing. Knowing the tides and wind conditions will make your trip more pleasurable.

Training Day on Taskinas Creek

The Tidal Creek

I half-jokingly tell our guests that Taskinas is an old Native American word that means “crooked as a black snake.” Anyone who has paddled this winding creek would agree that I am not too far off the mark. They will also tell you that there is a surprise at almost every turn. At the dock itself, remnants of a “corduroy road” of shells and timber from the colonial period can be seen at low tide. The receding waters also expose mud flats with fiddler crabs scurrying away from canoeists and kayakers as if they were predators. This is also a likely tide to find great blue heron stalking the shoreline for food.

High tide also reveals some unique things about Taskinas Creek. There are a couple of bends where paddlers can see each other over a narrow strip of land. Eventually, it will erode and form a cut and an “ox bow” similar to those found on the James River between Richmond and Hopewell and are deep enough for solo kayaks to explore. One of them flows right beside an overlook of the Taskinas Creek Trail. Periwinkle snails will be found in the cord grass as these air breathers escape the risen water. We don’t see muskrats and river otter every day but we have seen them in both high and low tides.
 

On calm days, paddlers even venture out into the York River

On The York

The bottom of the York River is a shallow mud flat along the park's shoreline. During a “spring tide” (which occurs during a new moon when the sun and moon are on the same side of the earth), it is impossible to get out to the river because of the yards of exposed mud. It can be tricky entering it from Taskinas on a normal low tide as there is a sandbar at the mouth of the creek to avoid. But, once out on the water, the York is perfect for beginner and advanced paddlers. A trip upriver to Croaker Landing is a good weekday option as there are fewer motor boats in the area. Bald eagles have been known to nest between Croaker and Taskinas. Keep your eyes open for aerial combat between bald eagles and osprey as they compete for fish and the smaller birds protect their young.

Most paddlers prefer to head down river to the seining and fossil beaches. On a high tide, they make great places to land and enjoy interacting with hikers. More intrepid explorers may continue to the Riverview Overlook. This little beach is six miles away from the dock. But, it is very well worth the effort to visit as it is the most pristine river access point in the park. Be sure to practice “Leave No Trace” and pack out whatever you may carry to Riverview.

Mind the Wind

Wind direction and speed should also be considered when planning a trip. The York is straight for 29 miles and is greatly affected by winds from the west, north, and east. If you see whitecaps on the river, paddle the creek instead. South winds may not produce whitecaps but too hard of a cross wind from this direction can blow an inexperienced paddler across the river, especially in a canoe. Because they are closer to the water line and less likely to capsize due to wind and waves, kayaks are recommended for broad and open waters. Experienced and cautious canoeists can enjoy the river as well.

Plan Ahead

Any weather forecast website should give you wind direction and speed. When going to a website to check the tides, use either Allmondsville or Roane Point as a reference point for the park. If you paddle according to the tide, weather conditions, and your skill level, a canoe or kayak trip is an unbeatable way to spend time at York River State Park.

York River State Park is located in Williamsburg, Virginia. For details and times for guided paddling trips, check our programs and events listings here.