• 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.

OSS Training Films

Opening Segment

OSS Training Video

The introductory moments to a film highlighting OSS Basic Military Training at Area A-2 (now Cabin Camp 2). This is one of 4 clips from the 30 minute film.

 
on the ropes

Obstacle Course
Physical fitness is always a key to sucess. This obstacle course challenged even the most fit recruits.

 
pistol house
House of Horrors
Both Area A (Prince William Forest Park) and Area B (Catoctin Mountain Park) had a House of Horrors or 'pistol house.' In the dead of night recruits would be awakened to complete real life instinctive firing exercises.
 
oss film

Demolitions Training
Many of the recruits learned how to detonate explosives on large structures such as houses and bridges in Prince William Forest Park.

 
frontal assault on tanks
Frontal Assault
One of the more complicated military maneuvers is a frontal assault on a fixed position. Here, recruits attempt to fire upon two foreign tanks.

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.