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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!
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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.
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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.
Laurel Loop Trail
Laurel Loop Trailhead National Park Service Laurel Loop Trail (1.4 miles; 2.3 km) This short loop trail is perfect for a quick trip to South Fork Quantico Creek. Laurel Loop can also be used as an access trail to Birch Bluff Trail, The Crossing Trail, South Valley Trail, and North Orenda Road. Access the trail from the Pine Grove Picnic Area by parking near the picnic area's bathrooms. Walk behind the bathrooms and face the forest to see the trailhead. 
Rock outcroppings that line a small section of Laurel Loop Trail National Park Service After only a short while on this trail you will see red blazes that mark the beginning of the Birch Bluff Trail. You can bear right here to join Birch Bluff Trail, which is a 1.8 mile extension that connects back up with Laurel Loop Trail. If you decide to continue on Laurel Loop, you will come upon a small rock outcropping. 
Small footbridge adjacent to South Fork Quantico Creek National Park Service After a short descent, the trail will meet up with South Fork Quantico Creek. The trail runs along the creek for about five minutes crossing over a small footbridge. 
Laurel Loop to South Valley Trail connector bridge. (Left) Front view of bridge (Right) South Fork Quantico Creek with side view of bridge National Park Service A little farther down the trail, Laurel Loop Trail begins to bear left away from the creek and back towards the visitor center. Here a small bridge can be found that crosses the South Fork Quantico Creek and meets up with the South Valley Trail and North Orenda Road. |
Did You Know?
Capable of living as long as 100 years, the Eastern Box Turtle is Prince William Forest Park's longest living reptile, and if conditions are just right, can spend their entire life in an area no larger than a football field.