Prince William Forest Park - Birch Bluff Trail (U.S. National Park Service)

National Park Service.

South Fork Quantico Creek meets Birch Bluff Trail in winter.

Birch Bluff Trail (1.8 miles; 2.9 km)

To reach Birch Bluff Trail, walk approximately one-third of a mile down the Laurel Loop Trail, which you can access behind the bathrooms in the Pine Grove Picnic Area. The Laurel Loop Trail has yellow blazes on the trees. Once on Birch Bluff, follow the red blazes through the woods until you reach a clearing. South Fork Quantico Creek will be in front of you.

National Park Service

(Above) Rock Outcropping
(Below) Beaver activity along South Fork Quantico Creek

The trail follows the creek for about ten minutes with rock outcroppings lining parts of the trail. Also, remnants of beaver activity can be found along the creek-side.

South Fork Quantico Creek partially frozen over in January

National Park Service

South Fork Quantico Creek in winter

Before you meet back up with the Laurel Loop Trail, the creek widens. Here you can see the creek partially frozen over in the cold of January.

A small, frozen cascade on the South Fork Quantico Creek.

National Park Service

A small, frozen cascade on South Fork Quantico Creek

Follow the trail around the bend and you will come upon a small cascade surrounded by many downed trees. From here it is only a short walk to the yellow-blazed Laurel Loop Trail. This trail will lead you back to the Pine Grove Picnic Area where your journey began.

Return to Hiking Page