• 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.

Turtles

Given their somehwat relaxed nature and relatively slow reaction time, turtles are one of the easier reptile species to observe. The shell affords the turtle luxury and is vital to their survival. Coyotes have been known to dig at a box turtle's shell for half an hour, only to give up with the turtle none worse for the wear. Prince William Forest Park is fortunate enough to have a healthy population of turtles. Here are some of the turtles you might come across during a walk in the park.

 
midland painted turtle walking in grass

Midland painted turtle

Photo courtesy of Andrew Hoffman

Painted Turtles
Pond turtles can be frequently seen at the park’s lakes, basking in the sunshine on either a log or floating at the water’s surface. Usually these will be painted turtles but some other species may be present as well.

 
turtle in water

Andrew Hoffman

Box Turtle
The Eastern Box Turtle species is declining in most areas due to over development and forest fragmentation. Here in Prince William Forest Park, after a nice summer rain, you may see many of them venturing out on the trails in plain view. Box turtles have a tremendous homing instinct and removing one from its territiory usually proves fatal as they roam the area searching for their home. Along the way, encounters with toads, dogs, and other predators can occur.
 
snapping turtle in leaves

Jenn Kays

Eastern Snapping Turtle

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.