Jamestown Beach.
Williamsburg, Virginia
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- river
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $8
- SEASON
- Year-round
About Jamestown Beach.
Jamestown Beach Event Park is a James City County-run public park and sandy beach on the James River in Williamsburg, Virginia, about a mile from Historic Jamestowne. The swimming hole here is an officially designated swim beach (no lifeguards) that doubles as a picnic, fishing, paddling, and community-event venue, making this stretch of the James an easy river to swim in.
The park sits on a low sandy shoreline of the James River (a tidal river at this point, per USGS/OSM hydrography) near the historic Jamestown Island area in James City County, with the adjoining Jamestown Beach Event Park green space, a nearby 4-H camp, and Historic Jamestowne about a mile away.
Swimming at Jamestown Beach.
Swimming is officially permitted directly off the beach but is unsupervised (no lifeguards on duty); the county's own signage/rules warn that conditions can change quickly with dangerous currents away from shore, and solo swimming is prohibited. An accessible floating beach chair is provided for visitors with disabilities to enter the water.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located at 2205 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185, roughly a mile from Historic Jamestowne, on the James River near the Jamestown/Powhatan Shores area of James City County.
Parking: On-site lot; free for James City County and City of Williamsburg residents with valid ID; non-residents pay a fee Memorial Day through Labor Day ($8, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends/holidays), paid at an entrance booth by cash, card, check, or mobile payment.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up park: the sandy beach is steps from the on-site parking lot, no trail or hike is needed to reach the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sandy, shallow beach entry with an ADA-accessible floating beach chair makes wading easy for small kids, but there are no lifeguards, the county explicitly warns river currents/conditions can change quickly away from shore, solo swimming is banned, and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult (16+) at all times.
Parking
Paid, $8 for non-residents (free for James City County/Williamsburg residents)
On-site paved lot with an entrance fee booth. Fee applies only Memorial Day-Labor Day, 8am-5pm weekdays / 8am-6pm weekends & holidays; free the rest of the year and always free for local residents with ID.
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms are on-site at the park (per official James City County park page); exact building location within the park not specified online.
Hours
Park open 8 a.m. to sunset daily, year-round; seasonal concessions and canoe/kayak rentals run 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (concessions) and 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (rentals), Memorial Day-Labor Day.
On the water
Restrictions: Rental boats from Chickahominy Riverfront Park (a different, nearby JCC park) are explicitly NOT permitted in the James River. At the county Marina across the street, paddlecraft launch free in the designated paddlecraft area, but launching a paddlecraft at the main boat ramp requires a daily launch pass ($2 resident/$3 non-resident). Motorboats and jet skis use the marina's double-wide boat ramp, open 24/7, with a per-boat launch fee.
Jamestown Beach Event Park itself has swim-at-own-risk beach access plus a fishing pier/peninsula and personal watercraft storage; the actual boat ramp, fuel, and rental counter are directly across Jamestown Road at the James City County Marina (2054 Jamestown Road).
Rentals nearby
Single & tandem sit-in and sit-on-top kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards, plus 48 boat slips (6 for jet skis) and paddlecraft/jet-ski storage; life jackets and paddles included with rentals
Prices: Single kayak or SUP: $15/hr resident, $20/hr non-resident ($50/$65 full day); tandem kayak or canoe: $20/hr resident, $25/hr non-resident ($60/$85 full day); boat ramp launch $5 resident/$8 non-resident per day, canoe/kayak/SUP launch $2/$3; jet ski slip rental from $110/month (resident)
2054 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, VA, directly across the street from Jamestown Beach Event Park · Rental/marina store hours vary seasonally: Oct 1-May 22 8am-4pm daily, May 23-Sept 30 8am-6pm daily; boat ramp open 24/7
Canoes and single/tandem kayaks with life jackets and paddles provided, rented directly at the beach
On the beach at Jamestown Beach Event Park, 2205 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, VA · 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day only
Jamestown Beach.: FAQ
Does Jamestown Beach. charge a fee?
Free year-round for local residents; $8 non-resident parking fee charged only during the Memorial Day-Labor Day season.
Is Jamestown Beach. kid friendly?
Sandy, shallow beach entry with an ADA-accessible floating beach chair makes wading easy for small kids, but there are no lifeguards, the county explicitly warns river currents/conditions can change quickly away from shore, solo swimming is banned, and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult (16+) at all times.
Do I need to hike to reach Jamestown Beach.?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Jamestown Beach.?
On-site paved lot with an entrance fee booth. Fee applies only Memorial Day-Labor Day, 8am-5pm weekdays / 8am-6pm weekends & holidays; free the rest of the year and always free for local residents with ID.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Jamestown Beach.?
Jamestown Beach Event Park itself has swim-at-own-risk beach access plus a fishing pier/peninsula and personal watercraft storage; the actual boat ramp, fuel, and rental counter are directly across Jamestown Road at the James City County Marina (2054 Jamestown Road).
When is the best time to visit Jamestown Beach.?
Memorial Day through Labor Day, when concessions (10 a.m.-7 p.m.) and canoe/kayak rentals operate; the park itself is open year-round from 8 a.m. to sunset.
What are the rules at Jamestown Beach.?
Swimming is at your own risk with no lifeguards; no swimming alone; dogs must be leashed (8 ft max) except in a designated off-leash area; no glass containers on the beach; no camping; no alcoholic beverages; tents up to 16'x16' permitted; charcoal only in provided park grills (personal propane grills allowed); children under 12 require adult supervision.
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