Prince William Forest Park

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Prince William Forest Park

Welcome to the official page for Prince William Forest Park. The park is the largest preserved green space in the Washington, D.C. area.
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Founded in 1936 as Chopawamsic Recreation Demonstration Area by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), these woods and streams welcome campers, hikers, bikers and nature lovers. Prince William Forest Park offers 4 campgrounds, 5 cabin camps, 37 miles of hiking trails, and 21 miles of bicycle-accessible trails. The park also offers a rich history spanning from the American Revolution to present da

y and intersects with two national trails. More information about the park's history and recreational opportunities can be found on our official website. Prince William Forest Park is managed by the National Park Service (NPS) under the Department of the Interior (DOI). While this is an open forum, it is also meant to be one in which individuals of all ages, life stages, and backgrounds are encouraged to participate in a respectful manner. The National Park Service and the Department of the Interior encourage inclusion, respect, and comfort in all aspects of visitor enjoyment, including their virtual experience. The administrators of this page will strictly enforce the National Park Service’s social media policy which can be found at www.nps.gov/subjects/digital/social-media.htm

06/18/2026

Celebrate National Go Fishing Day by finding a favorite fishing spot in Prince William Forest Park! Did you know that park visitors are allowed to fish anywhere along Quantico Creek and from the trail side of the small lakes in Prince William Forest Park? While it's a bit of a hike to reach most fishing areas in the park, prospective anglers are rewarded by the peace and quiet of the forest. Make sure to bring your Virginia state fishing license and obey all the Virginia creel and size limits when fishing. Kids can also become Junior Anglers and earn a badge by bringing a completed Junior Angler booklet to the park's visitor center (download the booklets from https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fishing/junior-ranger-fishing.htm).

For more information about fishing in the park, visit https://www.nps.gov/prwi/planyourvisit/fishing.htm

06/17/2026

Prince William Forest Park staff and volunteers joined forces to finish building a fence around the Payne cemetery in the park, which is located inside the boundaries of one of the park's cabin camps. If you've been wondering if you've been camping near a cemetery in the park, it is definitely a possibility! The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) often used naturally flat spots to build the cabin camps in the 1930s; the same areas people farmed and built houses on prior to the park’s establishment. When family members passed away, former park residents would generally bury them in small family cemeteries on their property. The CCC crews building the cabins worked around these cemeteries, leaving them undisturbed.

The fence will help protect this family’s cemetery by reminding all campers that this part of the park needs a little extra respect. Thank you to everyone who helped build this fence, and thank you to all of our visitors who help safeguard our cultural heritage!

06/14/2026

Today is Flag Day and in honor of this patriotic holiday, entrance fees are free today at Prince William Forest Park and other national parks across the country. Flag Day commemorates the day in 1777 when the Second Continental Congress officially adopted the design of the stars and stripes as the United States flag, although the holiday itself wasn't officially designated until 1949. Where are you looking forward to celebrating Flag Day?

06/12/2026

As we reach the end of Wild Turtle Week, do you know what turtles eat? Most turtles in Prince William Forest Park are omnivores which means they eat a variety of plants, mushrooms, insects, and small animals such as frogs and snails. What do you think this turtle is snacking on?

06/11/2026

Since we're talking about turtles this week, did you know that there is ongoing research on Eastern box turtles in Prince William Forest Park? Researchers are working on assessing at-risk turtle species including the wood turtle, spotted turtle, and Eastern box turtle in 15 National Park Service sites throughout the mid-Atlantic area, including our park. They surveyed 89 Eastern box turtles last year at the park, testing some for disease pathogens and looking into shell lesions that were found on some of the turtles surveyed. The research is also looking at parks as possible release sites for turtles confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade, which is a major threat, especially to box and spotted turtles. Researchers want to know the turtle populations in the park, what diseases are found in turtles here, and the genetic landscape of the park's turtles before introducing any newly rescued turtles to ensure that the turtle populations remain healthy.

To learn more about this turtle research, visit https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/at-risk-turtles-ongoing-research-spotlight.htm

06/09/2026

It's Wild Turtle Week and whether big or small, this is a great time of year to be on the lookout for turtles! Eastern box turtles are on the move - looking for places to lay their nests - which means we should all be on the lookout for them in areas they might not often frequent, such as roads, trails, campgrounds, or picnic areas. If you come across a box turtle on the road and are able to move it safely, always move it to the side of the road in the direction it is traveling. If you come across a box turtle or any other turtle not in immediate danger, feel free to take pictures, but please do not pick them up, as box turtles are wild animals.

To learn more about how you can help turtles, visit https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/turtles-in-trouble.htm

06/06/2026

Today is National Trails Day, a great day to explore one of the trails at Prince William Forest Park that you haven't hiked in a while. With over 37 miles of hiking trails, there are lots of new areas to discover in the park. National Trails Day is also a good time to help promote trail stewardship by picking up and disposing of any trash you see along the trails. Where are you hiking today?

06/05/2026

They're out! The two monarch caterpillars who decided to build their chrysalises on the front porch of the Prince William Forest Park Visitor Center have emerged. After taking a brief rest break to dry their new wings, these monarchs flew off towards their next adventure. Where have you spotted monarch butterflies in the park?

Address

18170 Park Entrance Road
Triangle, VA
22172

Telephone

+17032217181

Website

http://www.nps.gov/prwi/index.htm

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