• dogwood across creek

    Prince William Forest

    Park Virginia

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  • Firewood

    Outside firewood is prohibited in Prince William Forest Park, unless it is certified USDA 'bug free' firewood. Dead and downed wood may be collected from designated areas for use while in the park. Help us protect the forest from invasive species!

  • 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.

  • Temp. Closure C-Loop Bathroom

    Due to sequestration cuts, the C-Loop bathroom at Oak Ridge Campground will remain closed. Please use the B-Loop restroom, a short walking distance away. We apologize for the inconvenience.

History & Culture

Discover the 8,000 years of human history protected within Prince William Forest Park.

 
ccc boys in a huddle

People
On our people page, you'll learn more about the individuals or groups of individuals that have shaped the history of Prince William Forest Park. This include people that were here before the park including Native Americans and early park farm families. The page also tells the story of the various ways that African Americans have shaped the park landscape and development. Here you can also learn about the boys of the Civilian Conservation Corps, who built the cabin camps, and the summer campers and Office of Strategic Services trainees who used them.

 
cabin branch pyrite mine
Places
Places hold power - and this is especially true in Prince William Forest Park. Here, the forest has erased much of what was visible here before. Visit our places page to learn about the towns of Hickory Ridge, Batestown, and Joplin that were absorbed through the creation of the park. Or you can learn about the Cabin Branch Pyrite Mine or the Poor House, two historically important sites located in Prince William Forest Park.
 
building a mess hall
Stories
Visit our stories page to learn about the development of Prince William Forest Park. Learn about how the Department of Interior found this location and discover how early planners struggled with segregation issues while developing the park. Here you can also learn about the earlier colonial era farmers that first taimed the forest and about life in the area during the Civil War.
 
a park tombstone
Preservation
There are over 150 historic structures in Prince William Forest Park. There are also historic bridges and other infrastructure along with the thousands of important stories that should not be lost to time. Visit our preservation page to read some of the research reports on Prince William Forest Park and to learn about the park's ongoing efforts at preservation.

Did You Know?

American beaver

By the 1900s, Beavers were entirely extirpated from Virginia and were difficult to find across the entire lower 48 states due to over-consumption by humans.  In 1950, Boy Scouts reintroduced 5 beavers into Prince William Forest Park.  Today are more than 80 beavers in the 15,000 acre park.