πŸ•οΈNational Park Data
Carter Pond on a sunny day in summer
Farms to Forest Trail surrounded by ferns
Mountain Laurel blooming near Parking Lot I.
A tree with orange leaves against the blue sky
Fall colors come alive near Parking Lot H
Tuliptrees grow tall with blue sky above them
Park

Prince William Forest Park

Virginia

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Entrance Fee
$20
πŸ•
Hours
Sunrise to Sunset
πŸ“
Location
Triangle, VA
πŸ“ž
Visitor Center
703-221-7181

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!

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About Prince William Forest Park

Prince William Forest Park is a park located in Virginia. 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 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.

πŸ’° Entrance Fees & Passes

The general entrance fee for Prince William Forest starts at $10 (which commonly covers entry for a single private vehicle and passengers for up to 7 consecutive days). The park offers several fee options: Entrance - Private Vehicle ($20), Entrance - Motorcycle ($15), Entrance - Per Person ($10). If you plan to visit multiple national parks this year, purchasing the America the Beautiful National Parks Annual Pass ($80) is highly cost-effective, as general entry to most parks will quickly offset the pass cost.

Entrance - Private Vehicle$20
Entrance - Motorcycle$15
Entrance - Per Person$10

πŸ₯Ύ Things to Do

Prince William Forest Park offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Arts and Culture, Biking, Mountain Biking, Road Biking, and 25 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.

βœ… Arts and Culture
βœ… Biking
βœ… Mountain Biking
βœ… Road Biking
βœ… Camping
βœ… Backcountry Camping
βœ… Car or Front Country Camping
βœ… Group Camping
βœ… RV Camping
βœ… Compass and GPS
βœ… Orienteering
βœ… Fishing
βœ… Freshwater Fishing
βœ… Food
βœ… Picnicking
βœ… Guided Tours
βœ… Self-Guided Tours - Walking
βœ… Hands-On
βœ… Volunteer Vacation
βœ… Hiking
βœ… Backcountry Hiking
βœ… Front-Country Hiking
βœ… Hunting and Gathering
βœ… Junior Ranger Program
βœ… Playground
βœ… Wildlife Watching
βœ… Park Film
βœ… Shopping
βœ… Bookstore and Park Store

πŸ“¦ Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist

Custom items selected for activities at Prince William Forest

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πŸŽ’ Trail Essentials

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πŸ₯Ύ Activity-Specific Gear

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πŸ“‹ Visitor Planning Tips for Prince William Forest

  • β†’Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of Prince William Forest before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
  • β†’Monitor Active Alerts: There are currently 1 active alerts for Prince William Forest. Keep an eye on the alert notifications at the top of this guide for crucial information regarding closures or safety issues.
  • β†’Secure Campsites Early: Lodging and developed campgrounds within and surrounding Prince William Forest get booked out months in advance. Make reservations on recreation.gov as early as the window opens.
  • β†’Leave No Trace: Help protect the delicate ecosystems of Prince William Forest. Stay on marked trails, pack out all of your waste, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
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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!

Frequently Asked Questions about Prince William Forest

The entrance fee for Prince William Forest Park is $20 per vehicle. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all 474+ NPS sites and pays for itself after just 2-3 park visits.

About the Author

πŸ§—

James R. Mitchell

Founder & Lead Writer β€” National Park Data

James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.

πŸ”οΈ 63 Parks Visited✍️ 12 Years Writing🧭 Wilderness GuideFull Bio β†’

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