• 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.

Research and Reports

Petrified Wood
A Petrified Prospectus: Take an in-depth look at the petrified wood specimens of Prince William Forest Park.
 
a 'green' mine site

The Cabin Branch Pyrite Mine, post-reclamation.

National Park Service

Post-Reclamation Water Quality Monitoring at the Cabin Branch Pyrite Mine (6 mb - pdf)
In 1995, the National Park Service, Environmental Protection Agency and VA Dept of Minerals and Mines completed a reclamation of the site of the Cabin Branch Pyrite Mine. This report studied the water quality of the Quantico Creek after the reclamation.

 
a beaver near a stream

A beaver feasts along Quantico Creek.

National Park Service

1998: Wildlife Management, Baseline Data, Beaver Reintroduction Survey and Management Recommendations. By Dr. Carl H. Ernst and Timothy R. Brophy; Department of Biology at George Mason University. (3MB pdf)
 
a fawn in the woods

Deer Reports and Surveys
2006 National Capital Region Deer Survey
Perspectives of Residents in Communities Near Prince William Forest Park. Prepared by William F. Siemer, Kirsten M. Leong, Daniel J. Decker, and Karlene K. Smith, Human Dimensions Research Unit, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
Identifying Capacity for Local Community
Participation in Wildlife Management Planning
Case 3: White-tailed Deer Issues at Prince William Forest Park. Prepared by: Kirsten M. Leong and Daniel J. Decker, Human Dimensions Research Unit, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University

 
sponge150

freshwater sponges in quantico creek

Freshwater sponges have been found in Prince William Forest park! Check out the Freshwater Sponge Study. The National Capitol Region's Inventory and Monitoring team discovered the sponges in 2007 while conducting routine sampling in the park. They identified the species and put together some literature for the park and public. Attached is a resource brief and a full study on the species found at Prince William Forest Park. Thanks to the park, and the park employees, we continue to have the best water quality in Northern Virginia, which I believe is a factor in the presence of this species. We will be conducting more research on this species through the Center of Urban Ecology.

 

1994: Bat Survey of Prince William Forest Park. By Richard Reynolds, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and John Leffler, Ferrum College. (3.5 MB - pdf)

Endemic Pollution-Sensitive Subterranean Fauna of Vulnerable Habitats in the National Captial Region. By: Benjamin Hutchins Department of Biology, American University And David C. Culver Department of Biology, American University. (3.1 MB - pdf)

 

Parkwide Vegitation Map
Parkwide Soils Map
Air Quality Resource Brief
Amphibians Resource Brief
Lichen Resource Brief

Did You Know?

Did You Know?

Prince William Forest Park preserves the largest inventory of Civilian Conservation Corps structures (153) in the National Park System. Four of the five cabin camps are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as historic districts.