{"id":"nps-prwi","slug":"prince-william-forest-park","name":"Prince William Forest Park","designation":"Park","category":"other","categoryLabel":"Other Designation","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"PRWI","designation":"Park","sourceId":"nps-prwi"}],"states":["VA"],"stateNames":["Virginia"],"location":{"lat":38.58589108,"lon":-77.38910997},"bbox":[-77.4377,38.5369,-77.3302,38.6332],"acres":{"value":14016,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"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!","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[],"trTypes":[],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/prwi/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=38.6332&b_tl_lng=-77.4377&b_br_lat=38.5369&b_br_lng=-77.3302","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Prince%20William%20Forest%20Park","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/prwi/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C82F835-1DD8-B71B-0B8F32A29F4BDF0B.jpg","title":"Historic Park Sign for Chopawamsic RDA","alt":"An original 1930's sign for Chopawamsic National Recreational Demonstration Area","caption":"A sign on Joplin Road marks the park entrance in the mid-1930s.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/2BF7C2B0-B235-05A1-FBB42AA6D4FF2F12.jpg","title":"Farms to Forest Trail in Summer","alt":"Dirt trail surrounded by ferns and shaded by a green forest","caption":"The Farms to Forest Trail is a favorite among visitors.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/2CC4CB95-9AAB-3605-2B4310626DFC55C3.jpg","title":"Cabin Camp 3 in Spring","alt":"Wooden cabin with a porch and nearby picnic table and grill shaded by a green forest","caption":"Spend a night in the park's historic cabin camps!","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/2CF207B2-E547-BB54-2448E779D1A531A0.jpg","title":"Mountain Laurel Blooms","alt":"Pink and white flowers dot green bushes near the creek","caption":"Blooming mountain laurel can be spotted throughout the park in May.","credit":"NPS Photo/Melissa Weih","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/2C6E9306-A162-3470-716D9C443F9427D1.jpg","title":"Bridge along the South Valley Trail in Fall","alt":"An arched wooden bridge above a creek surround by a yellow and orange fall forest","caption":"Fall is a beautiful time of year in the park.","credit":"NPS Photo/Melissa Weih","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/2C296690-966E-C826-4C3A165926F3FF3C.jpg","title":"Quantico Creek in Fall","alt":"Yellow and orange fall colors reflect in a still pool of water along a creek","caption":"Many people visit the park to see the brilliant fall colors","credit":"NPS Photo/Melissa Weih","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C82F519-1DD8-B71B-0B60F81DB269AB7E.jpg","title":"Tree on South Valley Trail","alt":"Green crown of tall trees with blue sky above them","caption":"Tuliptrees are some of the tallest trees in the forest.","credit":"NPS Photo/Cecilia Lynch","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Arts and Culture","Biking","Mountain Biking","Road Biking","Camping","Backcountry Camping","Car or Front Country Camping","Group Camping","RV Camping","Compass and GPS","Orienteering","Fishing","Freshwater Fishing","Food","Picnicking","Guided Tours","Self-Guided Tours - Walking","Hands-On","Volunteer Vacation","Hiking","Backcountry Hiking","Front-Country Hiking","Hunting and Gathering","Junior Ranger Program","Playground","Wildlife Watching","Park Film","Shopping","Bookstore and Park Store"],"topics":["African American Heritage","American Revolution","Arts","Photography","Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite","Colonization and Settlement","Great Depression","Industry","Mining","Native American Heritage","Transportation","Bridges","Wars and Conflicts","American Revolutionary War","Civil War","World War II","Animals","Birds","Tortoises and Turtles","Climate Change","Forests and Woodlands","Deciduous Forests","Geology","Trails"],"fees":[{"title":"Entrance - Private Vehicle","cost":"20.00","description":"Valid seven (7) consecutive days."},{"title":"Entrance - Motorcycle","cost":"15.00","description":"Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers."},{"title":"Entrance - Per Person","cost":"10.00","description":"Valid seven (7) consecutive days."}],"passes":[{"title":"Annual Entrance - Park","cost":"35.00","description":"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)."}],"hours":[{"name":"Prince William Forest Park Operating Hours","description":"Prince William Forest Park grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset for recreation use.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"Sunrise to Sunset","monday":"Sunrise to Sunset","thursday":"Sunrise to Sunset","sunday":"Sunrise to Sunset","tuesday":"Sunrise to Sunset","friday":"Sunrise to Sunset","saturday":"Sunrise to Sunset"},"exceptions":[{"name":"Closed Thanksgiving Day","start":"2026-11-26","end":"2026-11-26","hours":{}},{"name":"Closed Christmas Day","start":"2026-12-25","end":"2026-12-25","hours":{}},{"name":"Closed New Year's Day","start":"2027-01-01","end":"2027-01-01","hours":{}}]}],"directions":"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.","weatherInfo":"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.","contacts":{"phone":"703-221-7181","email":"prwi_info@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Prince William Forest Park Visitor Center","description":"The visitor center is located a half mile from the main park entrance (18511 Joplin Road, Triangle VA 22172).  Visitor center operating hours are seasonal.  During Daylight Savings (typically March-October) hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.  From November - February, hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday - Monday only.  Hours may vary based on inclement weather conditions.  The visitor center is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/prwi","lat":38.55991491753911,"lon":-77.34714249976196}],"campgrounds":[{"name":"Oak Ridge Campground","description":"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.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/prwi/planyourvisit/oakridge.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233379","sites":100},{"name":"Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground","description":"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.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/prwi/planyourvisit/turkeyrunridge.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234717","sites":9},{"name":"Chopawamsic Backcountry Area","description":"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.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/prwi/planyourvisit/backcountrycamping.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/259170","sites":8},{"name":"Cabin Camp 3 (Individual Cabins)","description":"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.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/prwi/planyourvisit/individual-cabins.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10007130","sites":13},{"name":"Prince William Forest RV Park","description":"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-electric sites. Facilities include restrooms with showers, laundry facilities, and a seasonal swimming pool. For current rates, site information, and reservations, call (703) 221-2474. Reservations are handled directly by the concessioner. It is Virginia's closest RV camping to Washington, D.C. Open year-round.","url":"https://www.princewilliamrvpark.com/","reservationUrl":"https://www.princewilliamrvpark.com/","sites":72},{"name":"Camp Goodwill (Cabin Camp 1)","description":"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, fireplaces and whole log supports showcase the rustic architecture and 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 have ramps to the doorways. This camp is not available to rent as it is used by NPS park partner, NatureBridge.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/prwi/planyourvisit/cabincamp1.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.nps.gov/prwi/planyourvisit/cabincamp1.htm","sites":1},{"name":"Camp Mawavi (Cabin Camp 2)","description":"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-person cabins. The units are clustered in a circular arrangement and each contains 8 cabins, a bath house, and a craft lodge. Each unit is in a grassy clearing that is surrounded by dense forest. The large ballfield and lake access in Camp Mawavi are among the best in the park.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/prwi/planyourvisit/cabincamp2.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10374922","sites":1},{"name":"Camp Orenda (Cabin Camp 3 Group)","description":"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 best in the park for group outings. The beautiful brick fireplaces in the dining hall and craft lodges give this camp a unique character. Camp Orenda (Cabin Camp 3) contains both individual cabin rentals in A and B units and a small group cabin rental that includes the commercial kitchen and dining hall in C unit.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/prwi/planyourvisit/cabincamp3.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10374924","sites":1},{"name":"Camp Pleasant (Cabin Camp 4)","description":"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 future generations. Camp Pleasant has mostly 12-person sleeping cabins. While this camp is the only one in the park without a fireplace in its dining hall, Camp Pleasant is the only camp that has a large theater style building, perfect for events or large gatherings on rainy days.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/prwi/planyourvisit/cabincamp4.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10374926","sites":1},{"name":"Camp HappyLand (Cabin Camp 5)","description":"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 buildings with heating were added to the camp in the 1960s allowing the camp to stay open in the winter at a limited capacity (104 people). Camp HappyLand is also the only cabin camp with a large outdoor pavilion. It is set up in two units with cabins that sleeps 2 to 4 people and larger dorm buildings that sleep 24.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/prwi/planyourvisit/cabincamp5.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10374920","sites":1}],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"featherstone-national-wildlife-refuge","km":12},{"slug":"occoquan-bay-national-wildlife-refuge","km":15},{"slug":"elizabeth-hartwell-mason-neck-national-wildlife-refuge","km":19},{"slug":"manassas-national-battlefield-park","km":29},{"slug":"piscataway-park","km":30},{"slug":"thomas-stone-national-historic-site","km":31}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=prwi"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.622Z","alerts":[{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Visitor Center Closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays","text":"The Visitor Center will only be open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The Visitor Center will also be closed on the following holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.","url":null,"updated":"2026-11-01 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-945557F5-5C8E-4606-8331-DA7793F266BF"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Park Closure","title":"Parking Lot E Closed for Construction","text":"Parking Lot E is closed for construction. The park is currently working to expand this parking area, and the lot will be closed while the expansion is being built. Visitors can still access the Mary Byrd Branch Trail and Quantico Cascades Trail by following trail reroute signs and parking vehicles in Turkey Run parking area. For your safety, please follow all closures and only park in designated parking spots.","url":null,"updated":"2026-11-01 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-E5AFC264-9AD7-44CC-A85B-D97E776AB4D6"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/prince-william-forest-park/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/prince-william-forest-park.geojson"}