Yorktown Battlefield Part of Colonial National Historical Park

Cannon at sunset at Yorktown Battlefield
Cannon on earthworks at sunset. Yorktown Battlefield
Lamb's Artillery Fire 18 pounder Cannon Yorktown Battlefield
We have artillery firing programs twice a month throughout the summer at Yorktown Battlefield
The Moore House
The Moore House where the terms of surrender were negotiated.
National Cemetery showing tombstones, American Flag and Cemetery Lodge in sunlight.
Civil War National Cemetery
Nelson house on main street.
The Nelson house on main street of Yorktown. Home of Thomas Nelson Jr. a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Yorktown Victory Monument
Yorktown Victory Monument
Yorktown Battlefield Earthworks:Redoubt 9
Yorktown Battlefield Earthworks:Redoubt 9
Photos: National Park Service

About 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. 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.

Plan a Visit

NPS DesignationPart of Colonial National Historical Park
Park State / Territory MembershipVirginia
Current Alerts1
Visitor Centers1
Campgrounds0
Things To Do4

Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.

Weather & Conditions

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…

NPS Reference Location

Park state / territory membership: Virginia. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Per Person$15.00

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

Operating Hours

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.

Friday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Monday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Saturday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Sunday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Thursday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Tuesday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Wednesday9:00AM - 5:00PM

Activities

BikingRoad BikingGuided ToursSelf-Guided Tours - WalkingSelf-Guided Tours - AutoHikingFront-Country HikingHorse TrekkingHorseback RidingLiving HistoryReenactmentsHistoric Weapons DemonstrationFirst Person InterpretationJunior Ranger ProgramWildlife WatchingBirdwatching

Current Alerts

Rehabilitation 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 Yorktown and VA Route 199. Follow all detour signs. See additional closure information in the link below.

Getting There

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. 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.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.

NPS-Listed AddressYorktown Battlefield, 1000 Colonial Parkway, Yorktown, VA, 23690

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park$45.00

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.

Topics & Themes

African American HeritageAmerican RevolutionColonization and SettlementFortsMilitaryInfantry and MilitiaArtilleryUS ArmyBattlefieldsMonuments and MemorialsPresidentsWars and ConflictsAmerican Revolutionary WarCivil WarAnimalsBirds

Things To Do

Drive the Red Route of the Yorktown Battlefield Auto Tour

Drive the Red Route of the Yorktown Battlefield Auto Tour

Open year round until sunset, the Yorktown Battlefield Red Route Auto Tour is a 7 mile drive that takes visitors…

Drive the Yellow Route of the Yorktown Battlefield Auto Tour

Drive the Yellow Route of the Yorktown Battlefield Auto Tour

Open year round until sunset, the optional Yorktown Battlefield Yellow Route Auto Tour is a 9 mile drive that takes…

Walk Main Street in Yorktown

Walk Main Street in Yorktown

Historic Yorktown is available year round. The Nelson House is open as staffing permits. There are informational waysides along Main…

Birding

Birding

The park's location along the Atlantic flyway affords visitors the opportunity to see wintering, migratory, and breeding birds along park…