Hike the Riverview Trail

From the parking area at the visitor center, pick up the Backbone Trail marked with gold blazes.  The trails are well marked with signage and arrows.  Follow the Backbone Trail for 2 miles under you reach the trail junction of Powhatan Forks Trail.  After a half mile the this trail splits with the Riverview Trail on the right.

The Riverview Trail is 1.5 miles long and ends at a sand beach along the York River.  Most of the trails here are carriage roads but most of the Riverview Trail is single track. 

When you reach the beach explore around but be sure to go left (with the York River on your right) for the highest concentration of fossils.  The park does show directions to a fossil beach on the park map but this has been picked dry.  I learned about this beach from a park ranger at York River.  The fossils consist of scallop shells and petrified large barnacles but shark teeth can also be found.  The park service permits each person to take one fossil.

This is a great outing, especially for families with inquisitive children.  Note, there is a $4 entrance fee.  There is a self pay kiosk or you can go into the visitor center where they have a gift shop and small museum.