Colonial National Historical Park

Colonial National Historical Park is a national historical park run by the National Park Service in Virginia.

In the park service’s words

On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together, European, Virginia Indian and African, to create a new society that would eventually seek independence from Great Britain. On October 19, 1781, American and French troops defeated the British at Yorktown in the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Drive the Red Route of the Yorktown Battlefield Auto Tour (30 to 120 Minutes): Open year round until sunset, the Yorktown Battlefield Red Route Auto Tour is a 7 mile drive that takes visitors to the most important spots on the Yorktown Battlefield. Allow at least 45 minute to complete this tour. There are information waysides at each of the stops and along the route.
• Drive the Yellow Route of the Yorktown Battlefield Auto Tour (30 to 120 Minutes): Open year round until sunset, the optional Yorktown Battlefield Yellow Route Auto Tour is a 9 mile drive that takes visitors through the Allied Encampment areas. . Allow at least 30 minute to complete this tour. There are information waysides at each of the stops and along the route.
• Glasshouse Ruins (30 to 45 Minutes): Site of the original glassworks. Site is self guiding with waysides and items to see within the building.
• Island Loop Drive (30 to 45 Minutes): Jamestown has a one-way three/five mile scenic loop drive of the Island. This loop drive is open to pedestrians, bicycles and motor vehicles. Safety issues prohibit buses, motor homes or vehicles over 5-tons from using the Loop Drive. From the Historic Jamestowne parking lot, follow the signs to the loop drive. All sta
• Glasshouse (45 to 120 Minutes): Visitors can see the remains of the original furnaces used by those early glassblowers and watch as modern glassblowers produce wine bottles, pitchers, candleholders and various other glass objects.
• Walk Main Street in Yorktown (30 to 120 Minutes): Historic Yorktown is available year round. The Nelson House is open as staffing permits. There are informational waysides along Main Street.
• Birding: The park's location along the Atlantic flyway affords visitors the opportunity to see wintering, migratory, and breeding birds along park roads.
• Colonial Parkway (60 to 110 Minutes): The Colonial Parkway is a scenic roadway stretching from the York River at Yorktown to the James River at Jamestown.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: $15 per person. The America the Beautiful pass covers it.

Hours: Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM. The Historic Jamestowne Visitor Center is open. The Historic Jamestowne ENTRANCE GATE opens 8:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily. Historic Jamestowne Gift Shop is open 9 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily. Glasshouse is open 8:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Getting there

For an internet map search or GPS, use the following: Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center, 1000 Colonial Parkway, Yorktown, Virginia 23690. Historic Jamestowne Visitor Center, 1368 Colonial Parkway, Jamestown, Virginia 23081.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• Historic Jamestowne
• Yorktown Battlefield

Weather

During the summer season visitors should dress in light, comfortable clothing, wear comfortable shoes and use sunscreen. We recommended you carry a bottle of water with you. High temperatures and high humidity create higher risk of heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Most of the Historic site is out-of-doors and although not a great distance from an air-conditioned building, staying properly hydrated will help prevent these illnesses. During the fall visitors should have a light jacket available.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Shenandoah, about 130 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Colonial National Historical Park (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.