Here at Yorktown, in the fall of 1781, General George Washington, with allied American and French forces, besieged General Charles Lord Cornwallis’s British army. On October 19, Cornwallis surrendered, effectively ending the war and ensuring independence.
Photo: NPS Photo/Linda Williams
Yorktown Battlefield Part of Colonial National Historical Park
Discover what it took for the United States to be independent as you explore the site of the last major battle of the Revolutionary War.
- LocationYorktown, VA
- Entrance $15 per person
- HoursDaily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM
-
Weather now79°F Partly Cloudy
- Alerts 1 active alert
Overview
Topics
- African American Heritage
- American Revolution
- American Revolutionary War
- Animals
- Artillery
- Battlefields
- Birds
- Civil War
20 more topics
- Colonization and Settlement
- Deciduous Forests
- Fish
- Forests and Woodlands
- Forts
- Infantry and Militia
- Marshes
- Military
- Monuments and Memorials
- Natural Sounds
- Night Sky
- Presidents
- River and Riparian
- Scenic Views
- Swamps
- Tortoises and Turtles
- US Army
- Wars and Conflicts
- Watersheds
- Wetlands
Alerts (1)
Park ClosureRehabilitation of Colonial Parkway continues with additional Parkway closures Beginning Tuesday, April 9, 2024, construction will close the Colonial Parkway to all travel in either direction between… Read more
Beginning Tuesday, April 9, 2024, construction will close the Colonial Parkway to all travel in either direction between Yorktown and VA Route 199. Follow all detour signs. See additional closure information in the link below.
Things to Do
4 experiences from the National Park Service, plus every activity offered in the park. Check details on NPS.gov before you go.
-
Birding
The park's location along the Atlantic flyway affords visitors the opportunity to see wintering, migratory, and breeding birds along park roads.
Learn more about Birding on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Drive the Red Route of the Yorktown Battlefield Auto Tour
Fee applies
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…
Learn more about Drive the Red Route of the Yorktown Battlefield Auto Tour on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Drive the Yellow Route of the Yorktown Battlefield Auto Tour
Fee applies
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…
Learn more about Drive the Yellow Route of the Yorktown Battlefield Auto Tour on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Walk Main Street in Yorktown
Fee applies
Historic Yorktown is available year round. The Nelson House is open as staffing permits. There are informational waysides along Main Street.
Learn more about Walk Main Street in Yorktown on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
Showing 4 of 4
Activities in the park
Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
Facilities & Services
Find visitor services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Other Visitor Services
-
Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center
Facility
The Yorktown Visitor Center is the orientation point for your visit to Yorktown and Yorktown Battlefield. At the visitor center information desk, you can obtain a park…
Yorktown Battlefield, Yorktown, VA (757) 898-2410 Directions
Details
The Yorktown Visitor Center is the orientation point for your visit to Yorktown and Yorktown Battlefield. At the visitor center information desk, you can obtain a park brochure with maps and information, an orientation to the park, and an opportunity to schedule your visit around the various interpretive programs going on throughout the day.
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM · Visitor Center Hours of Operation
Hours details
-
Visitor Center Hours of OperationDaily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM
The Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center and the Eastern National Store is open 9:00 am to 5:00PM Daily. . The Moore House, The Cemetery Lodge and the Poor Potter are closed but their grounds are open for visitation. The Nelson House is open as staffing permits. The Battlefield Tour Roads are open till Sunset.
Monday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Tuesday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Wednesday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Thursday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Friday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Saturday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Sunday 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Entrance fees
- $15Per Person
Fee details
-
Per Person$15
Adult (16 and older) -$15; good for 7 days entrance to Yorktown Battlefield (and NPS areas at Historic Jamestowne); can be upgraded to see Preservation Virginia areas at Historic Jamestowne for an additional $15 at the Historic Jamestowne Visitor Center. Yorktown Battlefield will not be selling the $30 entrance permit for Historic Jamestowne
Passes
- $45Annual Entrance - Park
Pass details
- Annual Entrance - Park
The Colonial annual pass admits passholder and three accompanying adults unlimited admittance to both NPS areas at Historic Jamestowne and Yorktown Battlefield during regular operating hours. Pass is valid for twelve months from the month of purchase. Note: There is an additional $ 15.00 Preservation Virginia entrance fee for each adult entering on the Colonial Pass to Historic Jamestowne to visit the Preservation Virginia historic areas.
Address
Yorktown Battlefield, 1000 Colonial ParkwayYorktown, VA 23690
Contact the park
Weather & conditions
79°F
Partly Cloudy · feels like 73°
-
Today
81° 70°
Sunny6% rain -
Tomorrow
74° 61°
Patchy rain nearby52% rain -
Sunday
69° 64°
Light rain shower94% rain
Updated 5 hr ago
WeatherSmall Craft Advisory Details
Small Craft Advisory issued October 2 at 3:54AM EDT until October 3 at 4:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
* WHAT...North winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 25 kt and waves
2 to 4 ft expected.
* WHERE...Chesapeake Bay from New Point Comfort to Little Creek
VA and Chesapeake Bay from Little Creek VA to Cape Henry VA
including the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.
* WHEN...From 6 AM to 4 PM EDT Saturday.
* IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
WeatherSmall Craft Advisory Details
Small Craft Advisory issued October 2 at 11:15AM EDT until October 3 at 4:00PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA
* WHAT...North winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 25 kt and
waves 2 to 4 ft expected.
* WHERE...Chesapeake Bay from New Point Comfort to Little Creek
VA and Chesapeake Bay from Little Creek VA to Cape Henry VA
including the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.
* WHEN...From 6 AM to 4 PM EDT Saturday.
* IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
What to expect by season
Yorktown, VA climate is warm during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 80's and cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 30's. The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 89.00 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 28.10 degrees Fahrenheit. For closures in due to inclement weather at Colonial National Historical Park please phone this 24 hour phone number (757) 856-1240.
Photos
-
The Moore House where the terms of surrender were negotiated. — NPS Photo/Linda Williams -
-
-
-
Getting There
Yorktown, VA 23690
For an internet map search or GPS, use the following: Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center, 1000 Colonial Parkway, Yorktown, Virginia 23690. Eastbound from the Richmond area via I-64, exit 242B for Yorktown, to the Colonial Parkway.
Full directions
Follow the parkway to its end. West bound Interstate 64 from the Virginia Beach/Norfolk/Hampton area for Yorktown should take Route 105 East (Fort Eustis Boulevard east), exit 250B to Route 17. Turn left onto Route 17. Follow the signs to Yorktown Battlefield.
Mailing address: Colonial National Historical Park - Yorktown Battlefield, Yorktown, VA 23690
Map loads when you scroll here