Jamestown, Yorktown, & Smithfield areas:
To our Other Virginia Vacation Beaches page - Other than "the" Virginia Beach - in the local Virginia Beach area.
Beach areas along the Colonial National Historical Parkway Scenic Road between Yorktown, Williamsburg, and Jamestown.
Many scenic pulloffs with river beach areas along 23 mile scenic drive from Yorktown down to Williamsburg and Jamestown. Most pulloffs are unimproved, some have a few picnic tables, all have great views! Some very peaceful Virginia vacation beaches.
(Scenic pulloff with beach area near Jamestown)
Section from Yorktown to Williamsburg has pulloffs and river beach areas that front on the York River. Section from Williamsburg down to Jamestown has scenic overlooks and beach areas fronting on James River.
Tip: Pack a picnic lunch, sit under a shade tree and enjoy the peaceful view!
To Colonial National Historical Parkway Web site - Interesting information and history of the Parkway, along with pictures of the construction which began in 1931.
Chippokes Plantation State Park - One of the oldest working farms in the United States - on south bank of James River. About 15 miles west of Smithfield. Take 460 West exit off I-64 to Route 10 West through Smithfield - approximately 15 miles west of Smithfield, watch for brown signs. Right on Route 634 - Park is four miles on left. Approx 90 minutes from Virginia Beach.
Tip:
Can also take a scenic free ferry ride across from Williamsburg: Take Jamestown Road to Jamestown - follow signs to ferry. Peaceful scenic ride across James river. Ferry lands across the river at Scotland - follow the road to Route 10 and turn left. Left again at Route 634 to park entrance.
Sand river beach with adjacent picnic area. No swimming allowed in river, but Olympic size swimming pool and separate kids pool open Memorial Day to Labor Day. Park has 3.5 miles of hiking and bicycling trails which go through the historic area, as well as an auto farm tour road
Visitors Center + Chippokes Mansion on site with beautiful formal gardens. The Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum is located on the plantation grounds. Museum seven building complex is open for self-guided tours and has 600+ antiques to interpret rural early American farm life.
Mansion tours, Farm and Forestry Museum tours, plantation and crop field tours, + beach walks & some seasonal programs available. Much to do here for everyone!
Several wooded camper sites with electric and water, 3 cabins + a few tent campsites - tent sites use the main campground bathhouse. Reserve early.
To Chippokes Plantation State Park web pages with comprehensive park amenities info and interesting history of park & area, downloadable park map + Info on many tours and activities available and a few pictures. For Info on availability, current park activities, or to make a reservation, you can reserve online or call 1-800-933-7275.
Tip: Click here to request a Virginia State Parks Brochure with descriptions and facility list for all Virginia State Parks. Click here to download this 16 page color brochure as a .pdf file. (2.4 MB file)
You will need the free Adobe Acrobat reader to view or print the document if you do not already have it.
SE Virginia Area Beaches: Newport News, Hampton, & Cape Charles
Some of these Virginia Vacation Beaches are very isolated so you could easily stay nearby in the area and miss most of them if you did not have a good Virginia Beach Guide book or print outs from this Web Site! Wide variety of scenic beach choices is available in Southeast Virginia!
Kiptopeke State Park - On the eastern shore of Virginia. Three miles N. of Chesapeake Bay Tunnel bridge ($10 one way Toll) on US route 13, then W. on State Route 704 approx 1/2 mile to Park entrance. 3540 Kiptopeke Drive, Cape Charles, VA (757) 331-2267. Approx 45 minutes from Virginia Beach.
Park has recreational access to the Chesapeake Bay. Rare animal species habitat and on Atlantic flyway for migratory birds. Full service and tent campsites, RV camping trailers, boat ramp, lighted fishing pier, picnic tables, 2 shelters, hiking & biking trails, beach bathhouse and swimming beach with seasonal Lifeguard.
Hiking/bicycle trails - Take a leisurely walk through the upland hardwood forest along Baywoods Trail and look for tracks of foxes, deer and many birds. Also can take a scenic hike on the south beach.
To Virginia Kiptopeke State Park web pages with comprehensive park amenities info, For information on availability, Virginia vacation beaches park Info.
Tip: To make a reservation, you can reserve online or call 1-800-933-7275.
Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve - 204 acres - Take 17 up off of I-64 to 33 and then 3 to Kilmarnock. North on US route 200 approx 4 miles to Route 606. Right (east) on 606 approx 2 miles to 605. Right (south) on 605 about 2 miles to Huglett Point Preserve parking. Approx 2 hours from Virginia Beach.
Bounded by Chesapeake Bay and Dividing Creek. Tidal and non-tidal wetlands, beautiful undeveloped beaches, dunes, and upland forests. No swimming or sunbathing, but fishing and crabbing OK.
Has walking trails, a woodland boardwalk & wildlife viewing platforms. Preserve supports threatened northeastern beach tiger beetle + provides habitat for bald eagles, osprey and northern harriers. Many opportunities for nature photography.
Tip: Part or all of the preserve is sometimes closed for resource protection or management activities so is best to call before visiting - Department of Conservation and Recreation, Richmond, VA (804) 445-9117. To Virginia State Parks Hughlett Point Web page with printable fact sheet & map, plus a Hughlett Point beach picture.
Tips - With Pictures & Info Links.
Blue Ridge Parkway Vacation - "Must See" driving tour on the very scenic Blue Ridge Parkway - "Add on Days" to a Virginia Beach Vacation. Photos and Tips
