National Park Service
Prince William Forest Park
- Mid-Atlantic
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!
From the National Park Service.
- Region
- Mid-Atlantic
- State
- Virginia
- Designation
- Park
- Entrance fee
- $20, private vehicle
- Trail data for this park is still being added.
- Places for this park are still being added.
Know before you go
Fees, hours, weather and getting to Prince William Forest Park.
Entrance fees
- $20 Private Vehicle Valid seven (7) consecutive days.
- $15 Motorcycle
- $10 Per Person
Passes
- $35 Annual Entrance - Park
Hours
Prince William Forest Park Operating Hours
- Mon
- Sunrise to Sunset
- Tue
- Sunrise to Sunset
- Wed
- Sunrise to Sunset
- Thu
- Sunrise to Sunset
- Fri
- Sunrise to Sunset
- Sat
- Sunrise to Sunset
- Sun
- Sunrise to Sunset
Prince William Forest Park grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset for recreation use.
Weather and when to go
Prince William Forest Park experiences all four seasons. Spring and fall are generally comfortable with precipitation possible. Summers can be hot and humid with average temperatures in the high 80s and with sudden thunderstorms possible. July and August are the hottest months. Winters can be cold with average temperatures in the winter of 41 degrees with variable precipitation. The main park roads can close due to snowy conditions, though cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing are permitted.
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.
Contact the park
- Address
- 18170 Park Entrance Road, Triangle, VA 22172
- Phone
- (703) 221-7181
- prwi_info@nps.gov
- Official site
- nps.gov/prwi
From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.
Trip planner
A day-by-day plan for Prince William Forest Park
Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.
The trails and places you save below go into your plan as must-sees.
Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.
Things to do in Prince William Forest Park
The park service's own list, with how long each takes.
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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 pet, respecting wildlife, and knowing where you can go with y…
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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.
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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 being reclaimed by the forest, this site is a great example of the farms that…
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Biking in Prince William
For the on and off road cyclist, Prince William Forest Park is a favorite place for bicyclists. Over 12 miles of paved roads and 9.2 miles of gravel roads are available.
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Orienteering In Prince William
Orienteering is an activity for all ages and levels of fitness and skill, in which the object is to locate control points within the park using a map and compass. It can be enjoye…
Campgrounds in Prince William Forest Park
Run by the park service. Reservable sites book on Recreation.gov; first-come sites do not.
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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 ar…
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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. T…
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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 all…
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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 the 193…
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Prince William Forest RV Park
Prince William RV Park is a concessioner-operated campground within Prince William Forest Park, offering year-round RV camping with full-hookup and water-and-e…
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Camp Goodwill (Cabin Camp 1)
Camp Goodwill was the first camp in the park completed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930's. It sleeps 205 visitors. Stone foundations, firep…
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Camp Mawavi (Cabin Camp 2)
Camp Mawavi (Cabin Camp 2) first hosted campers in 1937. The camp sleeps 148 visitors. This camp mainly contains rustic 4-person cabins, with a few 2 and 6-per…
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Camp Orenda (Cabin Camp 3 Group)
Camp Orenda (Cabin Camp 3, C Unit) is made for smaller groups. C Unit has a linear layout and sleeps 76 visitors. C Unit's 10-person cabins make it one of the…
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Camp Pleasant (Cabin Camp 4)
The 200 visitors who can sleep in Camp Pleasant (Cabin Camp 4) can enjoy the newer roofs and windows that help ensure that these historic structures last for f…
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Camp HappyLand (Cabin Camp 5)
Camp HappyLand (Cabin Camp 5) is the only cabin camp open year-round. This camp offers the largest capacity (205 in summer, 104 in winter). Dormitory style bui…
What to pack for Prince William Forest Park
Gear & Essentials
Tell us about your trip and we will add what else you will want:
The basics
Worth having in the car whatever the park.
For this trip
Traveling with kids
Bringing a pet
RVing
Backcountry
Winter conditions
On the water
Photography
Accessibility
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