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Park · Virginia

Prince William Forest Park

Park in Virginia. $20 per vehicle. 2 hikes listed.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypePark
StateVirginia
Entrance fee$20 per vehicle
Campgrounds10
Nearest national parkShenandoah (52 mi)
Closest airportIAD (25 mi)
An original 1930's sign for Chopawamsic National Recreational Demonstration Area
A sign on Joplin Road marks the park entrance in the mid-1930s. Photo: NPS Photo

Prince William Forest Park is a park run by the National Park Service in Virginia.

In the park service’s words

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 (public domain).

Things to do

  • Become a B.A.R.K. Ranger at Prince William Forest Park (10 to 120 Minutes): 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 y
  • Prince William Forest Park Junior Ranger (20 to 60 Minutes): 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!
  • Bike the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail in Prince William Forest Park (1 to 3 Hours): Discover Northern Virginia's best kept secret and bike along the park’s Scenic Drive.
  • Hike to the Taylor Farm Site (30 to 120 Minutes): 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 pr
  • Chopawamsic Backcountry (1 to 14 Days): 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 orienteer

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: $20 per vehicle. The America the Beautiful pass covers it.

Hours: Daily, Sunrise to Sunset. Prince William Forest Park grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset for recreation use.

Camping

Campground Sites Booking From RVs Amenities
Oak Ridge Campground 100 Reservable $26 Yes, up to 32 ft showers, water, cell signal
Prince William Forest RV Park 72 Both n/a Yes hookups, dump station, showers, water, cell signal
Cabin Camp 3 (Individual Cabins) 13 Reservable $50 No showers, water, cell signal
Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground 9 Reservable $65 No water
Chopawamsic Backcountry Area 8 Reservable n/a No none listed
Camp Goodwill (Cabin Camp 1) 1 See park $780 No showers, water
Camp Mawavi (Cabin Camp 2) 1 Reservable $725 No showers, water
Camp Orenda (Cabin Camp 3 Group) 1 Reservable $550 No showers, water, cell signal
Camp Pleasant (Cabin Camp 4) 1 Reservable $750 No showers, water, cell signal
Camp HappyLand (Cabin Camp 5) 1 Reservable $900 No showers, water

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.

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) Dulles, VA No road route 25 Large hub
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) Washington, DC No road route 26 Large hub
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) Baltimore, MD No road route 56 Large hub

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

Weather

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Shenandoah, about 52 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at Prince William Forest Park?

$20 per vehicle.

Where is Prince William Forest Park?

In Virginia. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Washington Dulles International Airport, about 25 miles away.

Can you camp at Prince William Forest Park?

Yes, at 10 campgrounds the park service lists.

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