Overlooks are favorite features in parks. They are places of respite for weary hikers. These platforms also provide spectacular views of the region. Some are perched on mountain sides that look down on miles of valley floor. Others sit on sand dunes by the sea.York River State Park's Taskinas Creek Trailwill have four awesome overlooks and a viewing area that will put our guest in the heart of an estuarine marsh.
After treading up and down some steep ravines, Marsh and Heron Overlooks welcome guest to the world of cord grass and water. During high tide, Killifish make ripples as they feed and swim in the flooded flats. Low tide reveals fiddler crabs scurrying for hiding places. With a little luck and stealth, muskrat and snapping turtles can be seen from these overlooks.
A few more hills and valleys lead to the Osprey and Eagle Overlooks. The first of these sits across from an osprey nesting platform where guest can watch this expert angler raise his chicks to maturity. Osprey are seasonal raptors and are here from March until September. Bald eagles are year-round residents that catch their own fish, scavenge like vultures, and sometimes steal from ospreys.
The Kingfisher Scenic View is the highlight of the trail. Located on a hill overlooking a narrow point on the creek, there is a bench and half of the old marsh bridge serves as a viewing platform. Hikers and paddlers will be in close contact with one another and be able to greet each other on their journeys. The namesake bird will make it's chattering call as birders enjoy one of their favorite species.
Taskinas Creek Trail is closed to the public as we continue to make improvements. The trail is scheduled to re-open on Memorial Day weekend. But, keep checking the York River State Park website for any updates. If the winter continues to be mild, it may be re-opened sooner.
Directions to York River State Park: From I-64, take the Croaker Exit 231B. Go north on Route 607 (Croaker Rd.) for one mile, then right on Route 606 (Riverview Rd.) about one and a half miles to the park entrance. take a left turn into the park.
Drive Time: Northern Virginia, two to three hours; Richmond, one hour; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, one hour; Fredericksburg, two hours; Roanoke, five hours.