You're Not Camping Near the Park. You're Camping In It.
Prince William Forest Park is 16,000 acres of protected Piedmont forest — the largest green space in the Washington, D.C. metro region — and our campground sits inside its boundary. Thirty-seven miles of trails, two forks of Quantico Creek, a 12-mile scenic drive, and a history that runs from Depression-era work camps to a World War II spy school all start at your door. And when you're ready for the city, the capital is 35 minutes north.
Thirty-seven miles, almost all of it under canopy
The park's trails range from a 20-minute stroll to a full-day loop, and nearly all of them run under mature hardwood — cool in summer, blazing with color come October. Grab a trail map at the campground office before you head out.
1.4 mi · Easy
Pyrite Mine Loop
Follows the North Fork of Quantico Creek to the remains of the Cabin Branch Pyrite Mine, worked from 1889 to 1920 and now a quiet, reclaimed streamside walk.
~6 mi · Moderate
Turkey Run Ridge & North Valley Loop
A ridge-and-creek combination with the park's best sense of solitude.
1.2 mi · Easy
Laurel Loop Trail
The classic first walk. A gentle loop past the visitor center through mountain laurel that blooms white and pink in late spring.
9.7 mi one way · Moderate
South Valley Trail
The park's signature creek walk, following the South Fork of Quantico Creek through the heart of the park. Take a section, or make a day of it with the connecting trails.
Quantico Creek
The reason the forest is here
Two forks of Quantico Creek run through the park, and they're why this land was protected in the 1930s — the watershed has been recovering ever since. Wade the shallows, look for crayfish and salamanders under the rocks, or just find a flat boulder and sit. The creek is also why we ask every guest to camp clean: what happens at your site ends up in the water.
A Forest With a Story
From worn-out farmland to a secret spy school
This land was farmed hard for two centuries before the federal government bought it in the 1930s to turn it into a place for city kids to camp. The visitor center tells the full story — here's the short version.
1930s
The Chopawamsic Recreational Demonstration Area
A New Deal project turning worn-out farmland into a place for city kids to camp — the beginning of what's now Prince William Forest Park.
1935–1942
The CCC builds five cabin camps
The Civilian Conservation Corps built five rustic cabin camps here, still standing today — the largest surviving collection of CCC camp architecture in the National Park System.
1942–1945
A secret training ground
The park closed to the public and became a training site for the Office of Strategic Services, America's first intelligence agency and the forerunner of the CIA. Agents learned radio work, sabotage, and survival here before shipping overseas — in the same cabin camps you'll pass on the Scenic Drive.
Scenic Drive
Twelve miles, no rush
A paved loop through the center of the park with pull-offs, trailheads, and picnic areas along the way. It's a good first-evening orientation, a favorite with road cyclists, and the easiest way to reach the cabin camps and upper trailheads without a long walk.
Visitor Center & Ranger Programs
Exhibits, a bookstore, and rangers who know the trails
The visitor center has exhibits on the CCC and OSS years, a bookstore, Junior Ranger booklets for kids, and rangers who know the trails. Ranger-led walks and evening programs run seasonally — check the NPS website for schedules.
Beyond the Park
Make us your basecamp
Everything below is a day trip, and you come home to a campfire.
10 min
National Museum of the Marine Corps
Free, world-class, and right next door in Triangle — worth a half day even if you're not a military history person.
30 min
Manassas National Battlefield
Site of the first major battle of the Civil War. Walking trails, a driving tour, and a visitor center film.
20 min
Leesylvania State Park
Potomac River beach, boat launch, and fishing pier.
35 min
Washington, D.C.
The National Mall, Smithsonian museums, monuments, and the Capitol. Park at a Metro station or drive in early.
30 min
Mount Vernon
George Washington's estate on the Potomac. Gardens, the mansion, and a genuinely good museum.
20 min
Historic Occoquan
A riverside village of shops and restaurants — the easy dinner-out night.
Sample Itineraries
A few ways to spend your time
One Perfect Day
Morning: Laurel Loop and the visitor center exhibits. Lunch: at your site. Afternoon: the pool, then ice cream from the camp store. Evening: a ranger program or a campfire with certified firewood from the store.
Weekend With Kids
Saturday: Pyrite Mine Loop with creek-splashing at the end, the Junior Ranger booklet at the visitor center, board games from our lending library after dinner. Sunday: the Marine Corps Museum in the morning, the pool in the afternoon.
History in a Half Day
Scenic Drive loop with stops at the cabin camps, the OSS exhibit at the visitor center, and the Pyrite Mine ruins. Add the Marine Corps Museum to make it a full day.
Your next stop
READY TO MAKE YOUR NEXT STOP
Reserve your site and start planning your Northern Virginia getaway.