RV route guide
Colonial Parkway — Jamestown to Yorktown
23 miles. NPS-managed parkway. Three historic sites of colonial Virginia in 30 minutes of driving.
The Colonial Parkway is a 23-mile NPS-managed scenic byway connecting Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown — the three points of Virginia's Colonial Historic Triangle. The parkway is paved with a unique aggregate-concrete surface, has no commercial traffic, and is fully RV-friendly. Multiple visitor centers and historic sites accessible from the parkway.
- Tier
- Scenic byway
- State
- Virginia
- Best season
- Year-round. Mild Virginia climate.
- Sources
- Cited official (.gov / .org)
Is the Colonial Parkway RV-friendly?
Yes — fully RV-friendly. No posted restrictions. The parkway connects three of the most important colonial-era American historical sites. Camping at adjacent state parks (False Cape, First Landing). Williamsburg itself has multiple commercial RV campgrounds.
- 23 miles, RV-friendly
- Three historic sites connected
- NPS-managed parkway
- Williamsburg + Jamestown + Yorktown
- Year-round
At a glance
Route facts worth checking before you roll out
Conservative, source-minded numbers for planning — always confirm against current conditions and state DOT 511 before you depart.
Distance
23 mi
Jamestown to Yorktown via Colonial Parkway
Drive time
0.5–1 hr
Elevation
0–60 ft
RV compatibility
RV-friendly
Best season
Year-round. Mild Virginia climate.
Cell coverage. Good.
Elevation profile
Generally sea level to 50 ft.
Vehicle restrictions
- No posted RV restrictions
- Park entrance fees for visitor centers
Historic sites on the parkway
Jamestown Settlement + Historic Jamestowne: first permanent English colonial settlement, 1607.
Colonial Williamsburg: living-history town, 18th-century Virginia capital.
Yorktown Battlefield (NPS): site of 1781 Revolutionary War surrender. Yorktown Victory Center.
Indigenous + African American history at Jamestown
The full historical context
Jamestown is presented as the first English settlement but the site was already part of the Powhatan Confederacy when the English arrived. The Pamunkey, Mattaponi, and Rappahannock nations are direct descendants of the Powhatan people.
Jamestown is also the site where the first documented Africans arrived in English North America in 1619 — twenty-some enslaved or indentured people brought by Portuguese slavers and traded for supplies. The 1619 commemoration acknowledges this history.
Current Jamestown Settlement interpretation includes all three perspectives — English, Indigenous, and African — though earlier generations of tourism materials did not.
Acknowledgements
- Pamunkey Indian Tribe
- Mattaponi Indian Tribe
- Rappahannock Tribe
What Visit Virginia + Colonial Williamsburg doesn't tell you
Colonial Williamsburg presents living-history with increasing sophistication and increasing inclusion of African American and Indigenous perspectives. The 'Nation Builders' program and the Slavery Reconciliation Triangle are recent interpretive additions.
For RV travelers, the parkway is best experienced as a 2-3 day base camp. Stay at Williamsburg-area commercial RV park or at First Landing State Park, day-trip to each of the three sites.
Frequently asked questions
- How many days for the Historic Triangle?
- 2-3 days. Each site is a half-day to full day.
- Where do I camp?
- Multiple Williamsburg-area private RV parks. First Landing State Park (Virginia Beach area) about 40 minutes east.
Authoritative sources
Verify current conditions with state DOT 511 systems before departure. RV restrictions may change. Weather may close roads.
Cultural respect
This route crosses or commemorates lands and histories of Indigenous, African American, or other communities. Travel with cultural awareness. Visit tribal cultural centers and support tribal-owned businesses. Respect photography restrictions and sacred sites.
Planning an RV trip along Colonial Parkway?
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