Many plantations were established along the major rivers in Virginia. During the colonial period, York River State Park was Taskinas Plantation. This farm was produced tobacco and had a variety of servants from blacksmiths to cooks. 

Come out and discover York River State Park!

Among the various tradesmen was the wheelwright. Different carts and wagons were needed for the work to be done. The wheelwright had to know how to construct the hub, set the spokes, and construct the rim for each wheel. While fancier wheels were decorated with bone or horn, wood was used most often. 

York River's Archeologist Jerry Traver has recently discovered the remains of a wheelwrights shop that dates back to the 1700s along the Black Bear Mountain Bike Trail. This find is further evidence that Taskinas Plantation was a fully functioning, self sufficient farm. 

Be sure to reserve a place in our Plantation Hayride on Sunday, July 30th from 4 to 6 PM.  We will discuss this and other historic points of York River's colonial past.

York River State Park is 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.

More than 25 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails provide access to the park’s beautiful and diverse natural areas. There are six bicycle trails, some of which share use with equestrians and hikers. Two are exclusively mountain bike - a six mile single track mountain bike trail (Marl Ravine Trail), which is for advanced riders. Laurel Glen Trail is a 2-mile beginner/intermediate mountain bike trail. The half-mile Black Bear Run Trail connects the other two mountain bike trails.

York River State Park is a day use park that has no overnight accommodations. Learn more about York River State Park here

York River State Park, 5526 Riverview Road, Williamsburg, Va. 23188-6732; phone: (757) 566-3036; email: yorkriver.  Click here for a Google map.