Frequently Asked Questions
- What type of footwear should I wear?
- What should I bring with me?
- Are there restrooms or water along the trail?
- May I bring my dog?
- Is there an entrance fee?
- What are the park hours?
- Are there other trails or activities in the park?
- Can I dispose of trash along the trail?
What type of footwear should I wear?The hiker should wear comfortable shoes that will not cause blisters after walking two to three miles. Closed-toe athletic shoes are appropriate for all trails. Hiking boots are acceptable and would be helpful for those hikers concerned about twisting an ankle on tree roots or steep hills. Athletic sandals would be appropriate for the Back River Lighthouse Ruins Trail to walk in the surf or just go barefoot on the beach.
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What should I bring with me?What you bring will depend on the weather and your plans for hiking the trail. Common items to bring are water, snack, sunscreen, hat, insect repellant, meal, picnic blanket, camera, cell phone, journal, sketch book, or toys for pets or children.
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Are there restrooms or water along the trail?Five of the trails have restrooms with water located near the trail head. Two locations have no restrooms or water near the trail. The Backriver Lighthouse Ruins Trail is located next to a residential neighborhood and has no access to restrooms or water. The Noland Trail does not have designated restrooms. It might be possible to use the restrooms in the Mariners’ Museum or Peninsual Fine Arts Center when those museums are open. There are businesses with public restrooms within a five minute drive from both of these trails.
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May I bring my dog?Several of the trails are in parks where there are designated dog park areas. Sandy Bottom Nature Park's bark park and Waller Mill Park's dog park require registration and a fee before a dog may enter the dog park and interact with other dogs. Dogs must be on a leash when on trails. When visiting any of the trails with a dog, bring bags to dispose of their waste in a trash bin. Only the Back River Lighthouse Ruins Trail DOES NOT allow dogs at all during certain months of the year.
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Is there an entrance fee?- Waller Mill Park charges $2.00 per entry. This must be paid at the Visitor's Center where the parking ticket is validated. An annual pass may be purchased for this park.
- York River State Park entrance fees vary by the day of the week or type of vehicle. Please, refer to the park's website to get rates. An annual parking pass valid at all Virginia State Parks may be purchased at the park.
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What are the park hours?All parks are open from sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise posted. Some park hours may be extended for special events. Refer to park websites found on the Trails page for more information.
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Are there other trails or activities in the park?- Many additional hiking trails can be enjoyed at Newport News Park, Sandy Bottom Nature Park, Waller Mill Park, and York River State Park.
- Picnic areas are near the trails in Freedom Park, Newport News Park, Sandy Bottom Nature Park, Waller Mill Park, and York River State Park.
- Horseback riding trails are located in York River State Park.
- Mountain bike trails are available at Freedom Park and York River State Park. A five mile graded bike path can be accessed at Newport News Park Campground. A two mile paved bike path is available at Waller Mill Park.
- Boats may be rented at Newport News Park, Sandy Bottom Nature Park, Waller Mill Park, and York River State Park. These locations also allow small private boats. Fishing is permitted in these parks with a permit.
- Camping is available at Newport News Park and Sandy Bottom Nature Park.
- A Nature or Interpretive Center is located at Freedom Park, Newport News Park, Sandy Bottom Nature Park, and York River State Park.
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Can I dispose of trash along the trail?There are no trash bins along any of the trails. However, most trails have trash bins located at or near the trail head.
Please, carry out any trash and dispose in a trash bin.- Back to Top