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Yorktown BattlefieldColonial Parkway in the Fall
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Yorktown Battlefield
Bicycling Information
 

The Colonial Parkway, a 23-mile roadway connects Yorktown and Historic Jamestowne.  The Parkway starts at the visitor center parking lot in Yorktown, follows the York River, heads west to Williamsburg (where there are exits, turns south to follow the James River), and ends up in the visitor center parking lot at Historic Jamestowne.

The National Park Service maintains and patrols the Parkway.  There are several turn-offs of historical significance along the way.  In keeping with the natural beauty of the route, the two-laned paved road surface is not marked with white or yellow stripes.  Roadside signs indicate "No Passing" zones.

The Parkway has a tunnel under part of Colonial Williamsburg's historical area.  Bicycles are not permitted in the tunnel. Near Williamsburg you will pass under Lafayette Street. Leave the Parkway at the next Williamsburg exit. At "T" turn left onto England street.  Go 1 1/2 blocks on England.  Take the oyster-shell pathway the next two blocks, pass the Colonial Courthouse and the Magazine, where England street resumes.  Restrooms and cold drinks are available nearby.  Continue on England past the Williamsburg Lodge to Newport Avenue, turn right and follow signs to "Jamestown via the Colonial Parkway."

 
Yorktown has two tour routes. The seven mile Battlefield Tour marked by red arrow signs begins at the visitor center parking lot. The nine mile Encampment Tour, marked by yellow arrow signs, begins at Surrender Field.  Both routes utilize park tour roads and heavily traveled state highways; however, the Encampment Tour has minimal interaction with highways and is, therfore, less heavily traveled.  All streets in Yorktown are open to vehicles, except Main Street, which is normally closed to vehicular traffic spring through fall.  If traveling across the Tobacco Road footbridge, bicyclists are required to dismount and walk across the bridge for safety reasons.  Maps of the tour roads and town can be obtained at the National Park Service visitor center.
 
Colonial Parkway in the fall
Yorktown Maps
View historical and modern maps of Yorktown Battlefield.
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Lambs Artillery
Things to Do
Things to do at Yorktown Battlefield
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Victory Monument on a sunny day.
Weather
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18-pounder siege gun  

Did You Know?
Artillery played a decisive role in defeating the British at Yorktown. According to Brigadier General Henry Knox, the American artillery commander, the Americans and French fired 15,437 artillery rounds at the British during the eight day bombardment. This is an average of 1.2 shots a minute!

Last Updated: July 25, 2006 at 00:31 EST