Welcome to the Virginia Peninsula!
Where you can hike
outside the box!
The Virginia Peninsula is one of four peninsulas located in the Tidewater Coastal Plain of eastern Virginia. To the north, the Virginia Peninsula is bordered by the York River and the Chesapeake Bay. The Hampton Roads borders the peninsula to the east, and the James River borders it to the south. These scenic and historic waterways provide many beautiful views when visiting and hiking in our area.
Four independent cities and two counties are located on the Virginia Peninsula. The cities are Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, and Williamsburg. The counties are James City County and York County. This area has been prominent in our nation’s history since 1607 when Jamestown became the first enduring English settlement in North America. Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg are known collectively as the Historic Triangle. The Virginia Peninsula has played an important role in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the Cold War, and the Space Age.
Some trails are located in city parks with paved walkways and others bring you close to the wilderness. Whatever your reason for visiting the Virginia Peninsula, plan to visit the outdoors with an invigorating or relaxing hike.
- Many trails have benches near scenic views.
- Encounter historic sites and markers along the hike.
- Trail lengths and difficulty vary for different levels of interest.
- Stop by the visitor center or nature center at some locations.
- Explore other outdoor activities in our parks like biking, boating, or camping.
- Selected locations have dog play areas or child play areas.
Locations that require an entrance fee are noted on the Trails page with details in the FAQ.
Make the outdoors part of your trip!