Virginia Parks Explore Beautiful Prince William Forest Park

Located only 35 miles from the nation’s capital, Prince Williams Forest Park offers a great way for city dwellers to get away from it all and commune with the natural world. The park offers more than 35 miles of hiking trails, along with more than 20 miles of trails for cyclists, all running through the 15,000 acres that make up the Piedmont Forest.

Archeologists tell us that humans have been coming to this pristine wilderness since 8,000 B.C., and today people continue to flock to this land of natural splendor. Visitors come here from far and wide, and many also take advantage of two other nearby attractions – Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park and the Manassas National Battlefield Park. In fact the Prince Williams Forest Park is located directly between these two historic sites.

The park offers plenty to see and do, and plenty of camping for outdoor enthusiasts who want to spend the night in the great outdoors. Those with a taste for nature but not for tents can kick back at the great cabin camps. These cabin camps provide a rustic yet comfortable way for visitors to spend their time at the park, and history buffs will be pleased to know that these are the same cabins used by the OSS, the country’s first intelligence service, for training their operatives during the World War II years.

Tent camping and RV camping are both available at the Oak Ridge Campground in the park. This modern campground offers 100 campsites, along with such modern amenities as grills, picnic tables and of course bathrooms. Pets are welcome in the campground, but they must remain on leash.

Tent camping only is available at the Turkey Run Ridge campground, along with bathrooms, picnic tables and grills. Six sites are available, with each site able to accommodate between 25 and 40 people. Parking is easily available at this campground as well.

Those looking for a bit more adventure may want to head into the backcountry to set up their tent, and the Chopawamsic backcountry area is ready to welcome those intrepid travelers. Eight sites are available on this hike in/hike out campground. Each site holds two tens, and no campfires or pets are permitted on the grounds.

Those backcountry campers can awake to explore the 37 miles of trails that crisscross the 15,000 acres of Prince Williams Forest Park. There are so many wonderful things to see and do in this great park that it is no wonder so many visitors come back again and again.