About the Beachfront Park

Jamestown Beach Event Park offers year-round fun for you and your family. You can play in the sun, tan on the sand and watch the awesome sunsets at this family-friendly park. Guests may bring their own propane grill or use one of the park’s charcoal grills to prepare favorite foods—outside charcoal grills are not permitted. The beachfront park is a great way to spend the day!


The park features picnic areas (some shaded) with charcoal grills; designated fishing area (a freshwater license is required); an observation pier (for viewing only); outdoor rinse stations; paddle craft launch/loading area; and concession facility where ice cream, hot dogs, burgers, drinks, snacks and bags of ice are sold Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

ADA Accessibility
This fully accessible park features an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible walkway, parking, restrooms, outdoor rinse stations, picnic area and beach mat providing direct access to the river.  

A floating beach wheelchair is now available. The floating wheelchair is for the exclusive use of guests who request water access accommodation. There is no charge to use the floating wheelchair and the wheelchair may be used on an hourly basis. The floating wheelchair is also available on a first-come, first-serve basis or reserved up to 2 days in advance—life jackets will be provided and are required to be worn. 

A state-issued I.D. is required for use and guests using the floating wheelchair must be accompanied by a guardian age 18 or older. The guardian must be in complete and immediate control of the wheelchair at all times and the guardian may not enter into water beyond waist-deep. There are no lifeguards on duty. 

Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, the wheelchair is available Monday through Friday, noon-4:30 p.m. (wheelchair must be returned by 4:30 p.m.), and on weekends and holidays, noon-5:30 p.m. (wheelchair must be returned by 5:30 p.m.). For more information or to reserve the floating beach wheelchair, please call 757-870-3821. For ADA assistance, please call 757-259-5354.  

Parking

Parking fees for nonresidents are charged Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends and holidays. There is no parking fee for James City County and Williamsburg residents (must physically reside in County or City). Visit our Park Fees page for more information about parking fees.

Paddle Craft Rental & Storage

Paddle craft rentals are available from noon-4:30 p.m. (last rental at 3:30 p.m.) Monday through Friday and noon-5:30 p.m. (last rental at 4:30 p.m.) weekends and holidays from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day.  Visit our Park Fees page for rental and storage details.

Picnic Area

Picnic areas are not conducive to large group picnics, as space is limited and picnic tables are limited to 2 per group during peak hours. Picnic tables seat up to 6 people. Picnic tables and grills may not be held/reserved as they are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You may bring your own tables and chairs.

Special Events

The park hosts 4 event areas available for rental for special events, concerts, races, etc. The beach area is not available for rent. Visit our Park Fees page for more information about reserving event space.

Related Documents

• Class Park Use Permit (PDF)
• Jamestown Beach Event Park Brochure & Map (PDF)
• Mobile Food Vending Park Use Permit (PDF)
• Park Use Permit Application (PDF)
• Public Facilities Rules & Regulations (PDF)

Health and Safety

To ensure all visitors’ health and safety, and to protect sensitive beach environment, please observe the following guidelines:

• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited
• Children under age 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian age 16 or older
• Swimming is at your own risk. No lifeguards on duty
• Charcoal is permitted in park-provided grills only. Propane grills are permitted.
• Glass containers and picnic tables are not permitted on the beach.
• Fishing is permitted in designated areas and not on the observation pier or along the beach. A freshwater license is required.
• Please do not handle the water buoys, jump off the observation pier, climb on rocks or enter environmentally-sensitive areas.

The James River Association conducts water quality testing at Jamestown Beach Event Park Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. View test results and other helpful information at the James River Association website.

Camping

There is no camping at Jamestown Beach Event Park. Visit Chickahominy Riverfront Park for more information about camping.

Tents, Inflatables, Generators and Other

Single, free standing tents, up to 16’x16’, are permitted in open space within the park, but not permitted in the parking lot or on pedestrian paths. Tents must be anchored per manufacturer’s recommendations, with tie downs marked in a noticeable manner and may not be combined with other tents. Use of tents larger than 16’x16’, inflatables, generators, petting zoos or any amusement attraction, towable smoker/grill or fryers, or other large equipment will require a Special Park Use Permit and additional fees, and approval will be based on date, size, scope of the event and any conflicts with other events. Event space is restricted to 4 areas within the park. (see event space #1, #2, #3 and #4 in the Park Brochure (PDF))—rentable space is not permitted along the beachfront or in the picnic areas.

Dog Rules

Jamestown Beach Event Park is a dog-friendly park. Dogs must be under complete and immediate control of owners at all times and must be on a leash no longer than 8 feet. Owners are responsible for removing dog waste. Litter bags are available and guests should use only what they need while visiting the park. Nuisance barking is not permitted.

An off-leash area is now available at Jamestown Beach Event Park. Dog owners are permitted to let their pet play off-leash in one specified area of Jamestown Beach Event Park. Learn more about this off-leash trial program.