Prince William Forest Park

An original 1930's sign for Chopawamsic National Recreational Demonstration Area — A sign on Joplin Road marks the park entrance in the mid-1930s.Photo: NPS Photo

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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News

Find Your Fall: Explore National Parks Across the Greater Capital Region 2026-09-22
You don’t have to travel far to find spectacular fall color. National parks across the Washington, D.C., region offer countless ways to experience autumn, from mountain trails and Potomac River views to historic battlefields, urban forests and the National Mall.
Celebrate America’s Story in the National Capital Area During National Park Week, August 22-30 2026-08-21
The National Park Service is excited to welcome visitors to celebrate National Park Week from Saturday, August 22 through Sunday, August 30, as dozens of sites across the region mark the 2026 theme, “Celebrate America’s Story,” highlighting the 250th anniversary of American independence and recognizing our shared American heritage of national parks.

Photos

Dirt trail surrounded by ferns and shaded by a green forest — The Farms to Forest Trail is a favorite among visitors.Photo: NPS Photo

Wooden cabin with a porch and nearby picnic table and grill shaded by a green forest — Spend a night in the park's historic cabin camps!Photo: NPS Photo

Pink and white flowers dot green bushes near the creek — Blooming mountain laurel can be spotted throughout the park in May.Photo: NPS Photo/Melissa Weih

An arched wooden bridge above a creek surround by a yellow and orange fall forest — Fall is a beautiful time of year in the park.Photo: NPS Photo/Melissa Weih

Yellow and orange fall colors reflect in a still pool of water along a creek — Many people visit the park to see the brilliant fall colorsPhoto: NPS Photo/Melissa Weih

Green crown of tall trees with blue sky above them — Tuliptrees are some of the tallest trees in the forest.Photo: NPS Photo/Cecilia Lynch

Park information and photos come from the National Park Service. This is not an official NPS site.