Virginia State Park’s Tidewater region offers several beautiful locations that hug the coastline of the largest estuary in North America, the Chesapeake Bay. Three state parks, Machicomoco, York River and Chippokes, form a triangle and can all be enjoyed on the same getaway. Separated by the York and James rivers, these three parks are just a hop, skip, jump, bridge and ferry ride away from each other!  

Whether you’re working on your Trail Quest journey or ready for the next camping excursion, this road trip offers a “choose your own adventure” with multiple ways to plan your visits or mix in area colonial attractions. 

Stop #1: Camping and kayaking at Machicomoco State Park 

The interpretive area at Machicomoco State Park

Machicomoco and Chippokes state parks provide campgrounds and overnight accommodations, so you can set up basecamp at either of these locations.  

As a fairly new park, Machicomoco boasts exceptional facilities. The campground, accessible bathhouse, contact station and EZ Launch car-top boat launch are topnotch. When making your reservation, choose from paved pull-through and gravel back-in sites, walk-in tent sites and three yurts that make up the campground loop. Other than the yurts, which do not permit pets, accommodations and most activities on this road trip are dog friendly.  

A lit path to the campground bathhouse at night

After setting up camp, venture over to the interpretive area, which offers a unique and educational look into the culture of Virginia Indians, as well as views of Timberneck Creek and the York River. Details of the Tsenacommacah and Powhatan’s extensive Chiefdom and the diverse landscape are woven throughout the thoughtful designs, from the large open-air pavilion resembling a longhouse to the small imprints on the concrete of the picnic shelters resembling the creek beds.  

This area is also where the 1793 farmhouse, Timberneck, stands as it receives ongoing renovations from the Fairfield Foundation and welcomes touring visitors on Tuesdays and occasional Saturdays. 

Timberneck House

With just three trails currently on the map, it is possible to travel all six miles offered within this park. Once the trees mature, shade will become more abundant, but in the meantime, sun protection and water are a must.  

From woodlands to waterfront marshland to open cornfields, the landscape is home to a vast array of wildlife. During our visit, my family saw deer, turkey, rabbits, quail, crabs, jellyfish, a skunk, and two bald eagles. We received a list from the park office with all the birds that can be spotted at Machicomoco, and we either heard or spied many on the list, including a barn swallow couple who built a nest right above the office door.  

During your visit, try to schedule in time for a ranger-led program or two. These types of activities are educational and enjoyable for the whole family! The friendly and knowledgeable staff and volunteers at Machicomoco provide fun, memorable experiences.  

AmeriCorps interpreter Grayson points out a bald eagle’s nest

While on a ranger-guided kayak tour of the Catlett Islands, Robin, Grayson and Brenna shared a wealth of information with the 13 participants in our group. We learned about the landscape and how the islands are slowly disappearing, what ghost forests are, how otter latrines are like social media, why closed-toed shoes are required on the tour, and so much more. In case you’re wondering, feet must be securely covered due to the risk of oyster reef scrapes if a kayaker were to accidentally fall out. 

Later that evening, my family joined artist-extraordinaire, Olivia, who led us through the steps of painting a sunset over the Catlett Islands. Even with our artistic abilities, or lack thereof, she made us feel as if we were Monet or van Gogh, and we walked away with masterpieces and even more fascinating information about the park. 

Paint the Park program at Picnic Shelter 2

In between activities and exploring, and before departing for the next park on the list, head over to the boat slips, where you can fish (with a Virginia Saltwater Fishing License for those ages 16 to 64) or simply sit (if you bring your camp chair with you) and enjoy the sights and sounds of birds chirping, fish jumping and maybe even a seaplane landing. 

Learn more about summer events at Machicomoco, including kayak tours, Timberneck Tuesdays, sunset viewings, and Junior Ranger activities, at virginiastateparks.gov/events.

To make an overnight reservation, reserve online at ReserveVAParks.com or by calling 1-800-933-PARK. 

Stop #2: Hiking and fossil hunting at York River State Park 

A trip over the York River on the Coleman Memorial Bridge from Gloucester Point to Yorktown will lead the way to the second stop of the road trip. We began our visit at the visitor center, where we enjoyed chatting with a volunteer interpreter. Dora shared with us the three types of fossils uncovered at Fossil Beach and how to get to that spot to see what we could discover ourselves.  

Hiking to Fossil Beach

If you only have time for one activity at York River, Dora recommends hiking to Fossil Beach. I would have to agree with her! Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy at the nearby shaded picnic table and follow the Woodstock Pond Trail from the visitor center, over the pond’s footbridge, to Fossil Beach. My son was delighted to find a large Chesapecten jeffersonius, an extinct fossilized scallop.  

A prized fossil discovery along the shore

Along with another visiting family, we were all captivated by numerous dark fins spontaneously breaking the water’s surface. After asking around, we learned that those fins most likely belonged to cownose rays, which inhabit these waters during the summer.  

The cliffs and living shoreline of Fossil Beach

Usually choosing a different return route when available, we hiked back to the parking lot via Mattaponi Trail, closing the loop and bringing the total mileage to approximately 2 miles. 

With more than 40 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails, as well as paddling and fishing opportunities, there are plenty of things to do if you have more time to spend at this beautiful park before driving (and floating) to the third stop. 

Learn more about summer events at York River, including Pick Your Paddle creek tours and stargazing opportunities, at virginiastateparks.gov/events.

Stop #3: Museum and mansion exploring at Chippokes State Park 

Simultaneously traveling by vehicle and boat is fun at any age. Adults, kids and dogs alike can get on board with this added bonus! That’s why riding the free 20-minute Jamestown-Scotland Ferry from Jamestown to Surry is a logical route to Chippokes State Park. Enjoy birding while you set sail, as loons and a family of osprey bid you bon voyage.  

A ferry ride across the James River

At Chippokes, one of the oldest continually farmed plantations in the country, history and outdoor adventure await. This 1619 farm is home to the expansive open-air Farm and Forestry Museum, with five exhibit halls showcasing the tools of domestic farm life and the region’s forestry traditions.

A tractor photo-op at the Farm and Forestry Museum

After a self-guided tour of the museum, head across the street to visit the farm animals or even help with their care through the ranger-led Pasture Pals program. During a tour of the mansion, my family enjoyed learning from an interpretive guide about the Jones and Stewart families who once occupied the 19th-century home. Staged as it would have been during the time of the Stewarts, we walked through downstairs and upstairs rooms and toured the grounds. Check the calendar for special events, such as cooking demonstrations in the brick kitchen building or tours of one of the oldest dwellings on the grounds, the River House. 

The Jones-Stewart Mansion

A trip to Chippokes would not be complete without a walk down to James River Beach. Park at the River House parking area and walk about half a mile on the paved College Run trail to the beach, where you can either turn right or left and enjoy fossil and shell hunting along the shore.  

Exploring the shoreline of the James River

If you choose to stay overnight at this park, a double-loop campground with two bathhouses and three yurts will meet your camping needs. Additionally, four colonial-style farmhouse cabins and the 1770 Walnut Valley House are available for reservations.  

Learn more about summer events at Chippokes, including mansion tours, at virginiastateparks.gov/events.

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Your turn for a Tidewater roadtrip! 

No matter how you map your route, these three parks can be explored over two or more days. With unique educational and recreational opportunities all within a short drive from each other, this is a Virginia State Parks road trip everyone can enjoy.