About Prince William Forest Park
Prince William Forest Park is an oasis, a respite of quiet and calm. In 1936, Chopawamsic Recreation Area opened its gates to house children's 'relief' camps during the Great Depression. Renamed Prince William Forest Park in 1948, these fragrant woods and trickling streams have welcomed generations of campers, hikers, bikers and nature lovers. Discover Northern Virginia's best kept secret!
Quick Facts
Entrance Fees
Valid seven (7) consecutive days.
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Valid seven (7) consecutive days.
Operating Hours
The trails at Prince William Forest Park are open every day from sunrise to sunset for recreation use. The visitor center is open every day of the week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Winter hours vary. The visitor center is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
Activities
Getting There
From Washington, D.C. and points north: Take I-95 south to exit 150-B (VA Route 619/Joplin Road). The park entrance is the second right. From Fredericksburg and points south: Take I-95 north to exit 150 (VA Route 619/Joplin Road). Turn left at the bottom of the exit ramp and continue on VA Route 619 West approximately 1/4 mile to the park entrance.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
Entrance Passes
The Prince William Forest Park annual pass provides unlimited entry to the park for one year through the month of purchase (example - a pass purchased on January 1, 2022 will be valid through January 31, 2023). The pass covers admission for the passholder (who must be present) and all individuals in a single vehicle, or for the passholder and three adults who walk into the park. The pass can be purchased at the visitor center or entrance station (when in operation).
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Bike the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail in Prince William Forest Park
Discover Northern Virginia's best kept secret and bike along the park’s Scenic Drive.
Prince William Forest Park Junior Ranger
Join the Junior Ranger Corps at Prince William Forest Park today to learn more about the park's history and natural…
Become a B.A.R.K. Ranger at Prince William Forest Park
Help your pet become a B.A.R.K. Ranger by bagging your pet's waste and properly disposing of it, always leashing your…
If your family is visiting with a pet, pick up a B.A.R.K. Ranger booklet when you visit the visitor center…
Hike to the Taylor Farm Site
The Taylor Farm site is a short hike from the Turkey Run parking area or parking lot H. While slowly…
Chopawamsic Backcountry
Chopawamsic (chop-ah-wahm-zik) Backcountry Area, which means by the small "divided streams" or "river flats" in Algonquian, is 1,500 acres of…
Biking in Prince William
For the on and off road cyclist, Prince William Forest Park is a favorite place for bicyclists. Over 12 miles…
Visitor Centers
Prince William Forest Park Visitor Center
The visitor center is half a mile from the park entrance. The current visitor center hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day during…
Hours: Visitor Center is open from 9am to 5pm everyday during Daylight Savings Time except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Winter hours vary.
Campgrounds
Cabin Camp 1 (By Reservation Only)
Cabin Camp 1 was the first camp in the park completed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930's. It sleeps 205 visitors. Its…
Cabin Camp 2 (By Reservation Only)
Cabin Camp 2 first hosted campers in 1937. The camp sleeps 149 visitors and consists of approximately 132 acres. This camp mainly contains 4 person…
Cabin Camp 3 (Group Site By Reservation Only)
Individual cabin rentals and a small group site are available in Cabin Camp 3. This forested camp was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in…
Cabin Camp 3 (Individual Cabins)
Individual cabin rentals and a small group site are available in Cabin Camp 3. This forested camp was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in…
Cabin Camp 4 (By Reservation Only)
The 199 visitors who can sleep in this Cabin Camp 4 can enjoy the new roofs and windows that help ensure that these historic structures…
Cabin Camp 5 (By Reservation Only)
Cabin Camp 5 was the last camp to be completed by the CCC and WPA. The camp offers the largest capacity (210 in summer, 104…
Chopawamsic Backcountry Area
Chopawamsic Backcountry Area (tents only) is an 8-site, hike-in/hike-out, backcountry campground in a remote area of the park. No pets and no campfires are allowed…
Oak Ridge Campground
Oak Ridge Campground is a 100-site campground with bathrooms, grills and picnic tables, and drive-up campsites. Leashed pets are welcome. Both tents and RVs are…
Prince William Forest RV Campground
The Prince William Forest Park RV Campground is a concessionaire-operated campground with full hook-ups. The campground boasts pull through sites, a pool and laundry facility.…
Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground
Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground (tents only) is designed for groups of people. Families and individuals are encouraged to use Oak Ridge Campground instead. Turkey…
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