Parks / Prince William Forest Park
Prince William Forest Park
Park · VA
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!
Official NPS page →Entrance Fees
A valid entrance pass must be presented or purchased to access the park. Vehicle, motorcycle, walk-in, and bike-in passes are valid for seven (7) consecutive days.
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, 2021 will be valid through January 31, 2022). 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).
Campgrounds (10)
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 dining hall and craft lodges are some of the best examples of rustic architecture in the park. Stone foundations, fireplaces and whole log supports showcase the beautiful native materials used by the CCC. The sleeping cabins in this camp host 2 to 10 campers per unit and are newer construction (circa 1980s). Some cabins in the D unit are semi wheelchair accessible.
Details →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 cabins, with a few 2 and 6 person cabins mixed in here and there. The units are clustered in a circular arrangement and contain 8 cabins, a bath house, and a lodge. Each unit is in a grassy clearing that is surrounded by dense forest. The large ballfield and lake access in Camp 2 are among the best in the park. Cabin Camp 2 was listed on the National Register o
Details →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 the 1930s. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 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 best in the park for group outings. The beautiful brick fireplaces in the dining hall and craft lodges give this camp a unique character.
Details →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 1930s. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Cabin Camp 3, A and B Units can be reserved by families or small groups. In A Unit, there are 3 cabins that accommodate up to 4 people and 7 cabins that accommodate up to 6 people. In B Unit, there are 3 cabins that can accommodate up to 10 people.
Details →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 last for future generations. Cabin Camp 4 has mostly 10-person sleeping cabins. While this camp is the only one in the park without a fireplace in its dining hall, the theater building/gymnasium is the only one in the park.
Details →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 in winter) due to the large dorm buildings and restrooms. This is also the only camp with heat, so this camp may be rented year-round. This is also the only camp to have an outdoor picnic pavilion located inside the camp. Cabin Camp 5 is set up in two units with cabins that sleeps 2 to 4 people and larger dorm buildings that sleep 24.
Details →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 in this area. Four campers per site only. Campers must pitch tents within 20 feet of the site marker. Reservations can be made on recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Campers must pay the park entrance fee or possess a valid park pass. Vehicles must be parked in the gravel parking lot.
Details →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 welcome in A Loop and B Loop, though there are no hook-ups for RVs and maximum RV length is 32'. C Loop can be reserved for tents only. Reservations are required for all campsites. Make a reservation on recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. The campground is closed for the winter on December 1 and re-opens on March 1.
Details →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. It is Virginia's closest RV camping to Washington, D.C. There are several tents-only sites. Open year-round.
Details →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 Run is a 9-site campground with restrooms (no showers), grated fire pits, and picnic tables. Three sites hold a maximum of 40 people. Six sites hold a maximum of 25 people. Parking is available. You can reserve your spot at on www.recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777.
Details →Upcoming Events
Pyrite Mine Hike
Sep 5, 2026 · Meet the ranger at Parking Lot D on the park's Scenic Drive, about a 10 minute drive from the park entrance
Butterfly Day
Sep 6, 2026 · Event will take place outside next to the park visitor center.
Yoga in the Park
Sep 14, 2026 · Yoga will take place outside on grass in a small open area shaded by a large tree beside the park's visitor center.
Hiking Through America's History on the Crossing Trail
Sep 19, 2026 · Meet a ranger at Telegraph Picnic Area for the hike.
Yoga in the Park
Sep 28, 2026 · Yoga will take place outside on grass in a small open area shaded by a large tree beside the park's visitor center.
Things to Do
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 your pet. Pick up a B.A.R.K. Ranger booklet at the visitor center, and when you're finished filling it out, return to the visitor center for your pet to earn a free B.A.R.K. Ranger leash tag!
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.
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 backcountry area with eight designated campsites. Campsites are accessible from the 2.2 mile loop trail. Access for day hiking in the backcountry area is also available.
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 were once scattered throughout the forest before it became a national park. Though not much evidence of the farm remains, the small meadow provides an opportunity to enjoy the sun in the mostly dense forest of Prince William Forest Park.
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 enjoyed as a leisurely walk in the woods or as a competitive sport combining the suspense and excitement of a treasure hunt. There are 30 orienteering courses within the picturesque setting of Prince William Forest Park. The different orienteering courses are designed to challenge orienteers of all levels.
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 resources! Junior Rangers help protect national parks like Prince William Forest Park and explore the forests of this area. Stop by the park's Visitor Center to get your Junior Ranger book today!
Visitor Centers
- Prince William Forest Park Visitor Center
Source: National Park Service.