• a leaf rests in Quantico Creek

    Prince William Forest

    Park Virginia

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Frogs & Toads

Spring peeper in pond

Andrew Hoffman

Spring peepers usher in the sound of spring.

Spring Peeper
The early springtime calling of spring peepers is a welcome sound. This tiny frog is one of the first animals to herald in the change of seasons and say goodbye to winter. Their high pitched peeping is heard near most ponds or swampy areas, even in the suburbs. They are easy to identify both by sound and sight; they have a large black "X" on their backs, and emit the one note "peep" call. They will sometimes be found suctioned onto a storm door at night if there is a light nearby that is attracting their insect prey. This is by far the best time to get a close up view of this delicate species.

 
American Toad singing

Andrew Hoffman

The song of the American toad is a common summer song

American Toad
If you come across an attractive wart covered hopping toad as you hike the trails, it will most likely be an American toad. Toads prefer drier habitats than frogs, but still need water to lay their eggs and keep their skin moist. Contrary to popular belief their warts are not contagious and can't harm humans, but they are not recommended to be on the menu of our household pets. A substance called "bufo toxin" is released from glands near the toad's eyes as a means of defense and it can be dangerous if ingested in large enough quantities by small animals. American toads occur in a range of colors from light tan to nearly black.
 
Cope's gray tree frog on stick

Beth Carey

Gray tree frogs are often heard but rarely seen.

Cope's Gray Tree Frog
Camoflouge could be defined by studying the life of the Cope's gray treefrog. You have almost definitely heard them singing on many warm summer nights, but seeing them is nearly impossible. Their mottled gray skin blends perfectly with the bark of the trees that their tiny suction cup toe pads allow them to adhere to. In addition, these frogs have the ability to change color to green or brown depending on where they are to help them further deceive any would be predators.

 
pickerel frog on leaves

Andrew Hoffman

Pickerel frogs are considered aquatic but are often found far from water.

Pickerel Frog
Sometimes its surprising to find an animal that seems like its out of its normal habitat. That is often that case with the pickerel frog. This is indeed an aquatic frog, but it often wanders far from water and can be found on dry land far from creeks or ponds near bathrooms, building foundations, soda machines, or garages. If this unique habit isn't enough to idenitify the pickerel, then look for the rows of square-like spots going down the back and the orange colored wash on the inside of its back legs.
 
Bullfrog in water

Beth Carey

Bullfrogs have a ridge behind their eye that extends down to the front foot.

Bullfrog
Bullfrogs are the iconic frog. The loud "jug-o-rum" call that rumbles out from any still body of water in the summertime is familiar to everyone. For being such a large and fat frog, these amphibians sure can move. The loud "plop" you hear as you walk along a pond may be a bullfrog hopping into the water long before you have even noticed its presence. Large enough to eat small birds, bullfrogs play the role of a prominent predator along the water's edge.

Did You Know?

Did You Know?

Prince William Forest Park protects the federally threatened orchid Isotria medeoloides, small whorled pogonia, of which several colonies have been identified in the park.