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Firewood
Outside firewood is prohibited in Prince William Forest Park, unless it is certified USDA 'bug free' firewood. Any dead and downed wood can be collected in the park for in-park use. Help us protect the forest from invasive species!
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Oak Ridge Campground B and C Loops Full 5/26
The B and C Loops of Oak Ridge Campground are full for Saturday night, May 26th. A loop is a first come, first served loop of the campground so you can arrive early to get a site. Call the visitor center from 9 to 5 for a current A Loop site count.
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Sold Out of the Military Pass
We have sold out of our cache of the new InterAgency Military Pass. We have ordered 500 more and will post here and on our facebook/twitter pages when our shipment arrives.
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Warm Wet Spring = More Ticks
Please check yourself and your pets for ticks continually during and after your visit. Ticks are less prevelent if you stay on trail or in mowed areas. Wearing light colored clothing helps you spot them before the attach.
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Warm Wet Spring = More Ticks
Please check yourself and your pets for ticks continually during and after your visit. Ticks are less prevelent if you stay on trail or in mowed areas. Wearing light colored clothing helps you spot them before the attach.
Greenwood Gold Mine
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Following the Civil War, the land that is now Prince William Forest Park was split among small landholders. The owners were family farmers, making only enough to survive. However, this area was greatly affected by the Industrial Revolution. One of these operations was the Greenwood Gold Mine. Greenwood Gold Mine was located in the northwest corner of the park along Quantico Creek. There are few records that tell of its operation. It was only open for several years before closing in 1885. Currently, there are remnants of buildings, though it is not known for what each was used. Two shafts and trenching can be seen at the site. Most of Virginia’s gold mines were depleted as early as the 1830s and 1840s. Virtually all investments in mining were made out West. A local historian said that as late as the Great Depression, locals found their way to the mine, but returned with only a small reward for their efforts. Similar to the Cabin Branch Pyrite Mine, there were environmental consequences. They were not as severe at the Greenwood mine as they were at Cabin Branch. The Greenwood site is known to have contaminated Quantico Creek with mercury. |
Did You Know?
At over 15,000 acres, Prince William Forest Park protects the largest example of eastern Piedmont forest ecosystem (one of the most heavily altered ecosystems in North America) in the National Park System.