Established in 1936, Prince William Forest Park, Located in Prince William County, Virginia, is the largest protected natural area in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region at over 14,000 acres. Today, The park serves as a window into the past, of what much of the east coast once looked like centuries ago.

The park is an example of the increasingly uncommon Piedmont forest and its ecosystems and protects the Quantico Creek watershed. It is a sanctuary for numerous native plant and animals species. The park offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including wildlife viewing, 37 miles of hiking trails and 21 miles of bicycle accessible roads and trails. Several tent camping options, including family, group and backcountry camping are available as well as rustic cabin camping, and a full-service, concessionaire-operated RV campground, are available.

The park's cultural resources are also varied. They include the remnants of Joplin and Hickory Ridge, two small communities existing prior to the park's establishment, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), who built the facilities, roads and lakes during the 1930s and the U.S. Army's Office of Strategic Services (OSS) who used the land exclusively for training spies and radio operators between 1942 and 1945, just to name a few.

 Directions 

Plane - The area is served by Washington's Dulles International, Baltimore/Washington International, and Reagan Washington National airports.

Car - From Washington, D.C.: Take I-95 south to exit 150-B to Joplin Road (Va. 619 west). The park entrance is the second right.

From points south: Take I-95 to exit 150 to Joplin Road (Va. 619 west). The park entrance is the second right.

Approximate driving times: From Washington, D.C., 45 minutes; from Fredericksburg, Va., 20 minutes.

Bus - Greyhound bus service is available in Triangle, Virginia.

Public Transportation - Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express rail services are available in nearby Quantico, Virginia.