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Outdoor Recreation
Explore the Outdoors!
Ideally situated on the Hampton Roads peninsula, James City County offers access to the Chickahominy and James Rivers, home to the John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail; the Colonial Parkway and the Historic Triangle; and lies along the Virginia Capital Trail. In addition to these great opportunities, James City County Parks offer a variety of amenities and programs for you to explore our area!
Check out what we’re offering this season or find a facility or park that meets your outdoor adventure needs. Have you heard about the technical terrain for mountain biking? Freedom Park is home to some fantastic Eastern Virginia Mountain Bike Association trails as well as Go Ape, a treetop adventure course.
Make sure you are enjoying the outdoors safely! Before heading out, take a look at these Outdoor Safety Tips.
We would love to hear from you about offerings you would like to see in Outdoor Recreation.
Winter & Spring Classes
To register for any Parks and Recreation programs, click here.
Archery (Ages 9+)
These courses are designed for beginner to intermediate ability. Learn the safe use and handing of a recurve bow in addition to proper range procedures while learning balance, focus and technique.
- Archery for Adults - Ages 16+
- Saturdays, March 28-April 25, no class April 11
- Tuesdays, April 14-May 5
- Archery 101 - Ages 9-15
- Saturdays, March 28-April 25, no class April 11
Campfire Socials
Enjoy s’mores, activities, storytelling and more around the campfire overlooking beautiful Gordon Creek at Chickahominy Riverfront Park! No preregistration required.
- Saturday, April 4 - 7-8 p.m.
- Saturday, May 2 - 7-8 p.m.
Forest Explorer Fridays - All Ages
Join us the third Friday of each month to explore the plants and animals of Freedom Park! Youth ages 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Program runs from 6-7:30 p.m., weather permitting and no preregistration required.
- March 20: Decomposers
- April 17: Plant Identification
- May 15: Reptiles (Meet at Greensprings Trail near Jamestown High School)
Williamsburg Botanical Garden Programs
The Williamsburg Botanical Garden, located in Freedom Park, offers its FREE Learn-and-Grow Series on topics for the home gardener (ages 18+). Sessions are held at the Freedom Park Interpretive Center. Seating is limited! Register to guarantee a spot. All programs are free, but donations at the door help the garden continue its mission. Request WBG’s eNews and program details to your inbox at www.bit.ly/wbgnews or by texting WBGARDEN to 22828.
- January 18: Winter Pruning Clinic, 10-11:30 a.m.
- February 15: Orchids & American First Ladies (held at Williamsburg Library), 10:30 a.m. - noon.
- March 21: Compost is Garden Gold, 10-11:30 a.m.
- April 18: Planting for Pollinators, 10-11:30 a.m.
- May 16: Rain Gardens: Why & How?, 10-11:30 a.m.
Stargazing with NASA - Ages 13+
Come Stargaze with NASA Skywatcher Astronomy Club! The NASA Skywatcher Astronomy Club will have an observing session to share their knowledge, experience and love of astronomy. Program runs 8-11 p.m. at Upper County Park, weather permitting. No preregistration required.
- Saturday, March 28, 8-10:30 p.m.
To register for any Parks and Recreation programs, click here.
Spring Camps
Outdoor Experience with JRA
Join the James River Association (JRA) for a spring break week alternative! Come experience a week of outdoor adventure and education. Campers will canoe Powhatan Creek, learn about and perform seine netting, perform water quality tests, bike the Virginia Capital Trail, and participate in fun environmental games tied back to learning about the James River and its watershed. Camp is held at the JRA Educational Center located at 1335 Colonial Parkway.
Be a Kid Again: Holiday Edition
What are you doing this Memorial Day weekend? We’re going out for late afternoon paddles at the James City County Marina, biking around Jamestown Island and wrapping up with a Memorial Day cookout at Jamestown Beach Event Park. This adult camp program includes your gear rental and staff guides to help you make the most of your holiday weekend! May 23-25 from 4-7 p.m for ages 18+. Preregister by May 15.
Summer Camps
James City County Parks and Recreation operates several outdoor adventure, education and recreational summer camps throughout the summer months. The 2020 offerings are listed below. For full information regarding classes descriptions, dates, times and locations, please use the link above beginning mid-April.
- Be a Kid Again (Adults only)
- Nature in Your Backyard
- Little Sprouts Nature Explorers
- Campout!
- Fishing Camp
- Living in the Past
- Out There with Riverside Outfitters
- 4-H Challenge & Adventure
- 4-H Camp Classics
- 4-H Wildlife Explorers
- Archaeology Camp
- OP Adventures
- Archery Camp
Special Events
Park Adventure Challenge - March 7
Join us for our first annual Park Adventure Challenge! Lace up your fastest shoes and bring your thinking caps for this play on the "Amazing Race." Race against other teams to find clues, complete challenges, and overcome roadblocks which are hidden throughout the park. You may be tested physically and mentally throughout the challenge so be prepared! Top finishers will receive prizes. Register your team under your team captain’s name by February 28 ($20/team). Two-four players per team--have more than four players, sign up two teams! To register, phone 757-259-4200 or click here for online registration. For specific event questions, phone Sarah at 757-259-4200 or email sarah.oreilly@jamescitycountyva.gov.
Bikes Out of Hibernation - April 18
Looking for an opportunity to get your bicycle out of "hibernation?" From beginner to a "little rusty," this is the event for you! Free safety inspections, assistance for minor repairs and tire-pumping to get your bike ready for spring! After getting your bike checked out, ride as far as you like on the adjacent Virginia Capital Trail! Riders under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Free helmets while supplies last! New for 2020--Bike Rodeo Skills for children (grades K-5)! Light refreshments provided.*Weather permitting; in the event of rain, visit wabonline.org. FREE!
Project FiveFortySeven - June 20
It’s the longest day of the year, make time to play! Join Parks & Recreation for our third annual longest day of play program! Enjoy FREE recreational activities from sunrise to sunset. There will be activities for a variety of ages, abilities and interests in topic areas including arts, outdoors, fitness, sensory, sports and more! Full calendar of programs will be available by May 1.
To register for any Parks and Recreation programs, click here.
Winter & Spring Trip Information
State Park Passport Series - Ages 12+
Join us for a tour of some of our local Virginia State Parks. Each trip will highlight a unique activity, excursion or program specific to that park. Trips are open to patrons ages 12+ (16 & younger must be accompanied by an adult) and are available first-come, first-served. Preregistration is required at least one week in advance of trip date. Fee includes transportation to and from trip destination and all park admissions, amenities and excursion fees, unless otherwise noted. Patrons are encouraged to bring a bagged lunch and any extra snacks and drinks that may be needed throughout the day. Meet in the James City County Recreation Center lobby at the time listed for your trip! Full trip details are available by contacting 757-259-4200 or sarah.oreilly@jamescitycountyva.gov.
- April 14: Natural Bridge State Park - Join us for a historical tour of Natural Bridge! The trip features a “Legends of the Bridge” talk and an experience of the newest exhibit that opens in April, the Monacan Village Outdoor Exhibit. Please be advised there are 137 steps up to the site of Virginia’s Natural Bridge. 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Preregistration required.
- April 24: James River State Park - Join the James River Association for a paddle along a 6-mile stretch of the James River. This paddle starts at Bent Creek public boat launch and concludes within James River State Park. It’s a beautiful flatwater section with very few small rapids located within agricultural and forested land. Transportation included. 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Preregistration required.
VIMS Tour
Take a tour of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) laboratory in Gloucester and learn about ongoing programs and projects that are housed in the facility. The tour includes a basic overview of the educational, research and advisory duties of VIMS as well as a tour of unique labs including the fish collection which houses thousands of marine, estuarine and freshwater fishes. Trip will meet in the James City County Recreation Center lobby. Transportation and fees all included. 9:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Preregistration required.