Park · Virginia

Trails in Prince William Forest Park

45 named trails · 31 miles · 2 with the Park Service's own write-up. The lines, trailheads and points are the Park Service's; the write-ups are the Service's own words; the climbing is read from USGS elevation along each line.

Open on the parks map Every park with trails Park on nps.gov

45 trails, A to Z.

Amphitheater Trail

0.1 mi one way · 374 ft–379 ft · gravel surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Birch Bluff Trail

1.3 mi one way · about 100 ft of climbing · 95 ft–182 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Boardwalk Platform

62 ft–65 ft · wood surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Bridge over South Fork Quantico Creek

195 ft–196 ft · wood surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Cabin Branch Mine Trail

0.4 mi one way · about 150 ft of climbing · 67 ft–198 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Campsite 2 Access Trail

0.1 mi one way · about 30 ft of climbing · 142 ft–171 ft · native surface · hiking · seasonal: Open March 1 to November 30

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Campsite 4 Access Trail

0.1 mi one way · about 60 ft of climbing · 154 ft–208 ft · native surface · hiking · seasonal: Open March 1 to November 30

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Carter's Pond Wildlife Viewing Trail

0.1 mi one way · 154 ft–161 ft · gravel surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

CC3 Council Ring Trail

0.1 mi one way · 156 ft–157 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

CC4 Lake 4 Trail

0.1 mi one way · 60 ft of descent · 138 ft–194 ft · native surface · hiking · seasonal: Restricted to Cabin Camp 4 Residents

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Chopawamsic Parking Trail

0.3 mi one way · 20 ft of descent · 281 ft–302 ft · native surface · hiking · seasonal: Open March 1 to November 30

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Chopawamsic Trail

2.3 mi loop · about 250 ft of climbing · 137 ft–288 ft · native surface · hiking · seasonal: Open March 1 to November 30

Chopawamsic Backcountry the Park Service's write-up

1-14 Days · no dogs · entrance fee applies · reservation required

Start Chopawamsic Parking Area

Chopawamsic (chop-ah-wahm-zik) Backcountry Area, which means by the small "divided streams" or "river flats" in Algonquian, is 1,500 acres of backcountry area with eight designated campsites. Campsites are accessible from the 2.2 mile loop trail. Access for day hiking in the backcountry area is also available.

Cost: Free

Permits are required to enter Chopawamsic Backcountry. If day hiking, permits can be obtained at the visitor center on a first come, first served basis. If camping, visit recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777 to obtain a permit (small flat fee for use of the reservation system does apply - $8 for internet reservation, $9 for phone reservation)

Know Before You Go

Chopawamsic Backcountry has eight designated tent camp sites which are identified by a post marker and are accessible from the circuit trail. Please indicate which tent site you wish to use on the permit application.

There is a single vault toilet at the trailhead for Chopawamsic. Please use 'Leave No Trace' practices and dispose of human waste no less than 200 feet from a water source and cover all waste with leaf matter if camping. Please do not use toilet paper or leave litter.

There are no trash cans at Chopawamsic. Please pack out what you packed in.

Tents must be located within 40 feet of the post marker.

Maximum stay is seven consecutive days or 14 days in one calendar year.

Open fires are strictly prohibited. All cooking must be done on a camp stove.

Trenching, leveling or digging is not permitted in any campsite. Bringing straw, hay, pine boughs or any vegetative materials to any campsite is prohibited.

Ropes, clotheslines, tent lines and nails are not to be attached to trees or other vegetation. Hammocks are allowed with straps that are at least 1 & 1/2" and are not affixed to a tree less than 6" in diameter.

The following are prohibited in the backcountry: fireworks, pets, swimming, use of power tools, hunting and trapping, any weapon (excluding firearms) including BB and pellet guns, paintball and paint guns, and bows and arrows.

Firearms are permitted in accordance with Virginia State laws .

Camping is limited to groups consisting of four people or less per site in the Chopawamsic Backcountry area. Chopawamsic is not designed for groups. Group camping is available at Turkey Run Ridge Campground.

Fishing

Fishing is permitted from the National Park Service' side of the Breckenridge Reservoir with a valid Virginia state fishing license. To fish from a non-motorized boat or from Quantico Marine Corps Base' side of the reservoir, a Marine Corps base permit is required. Call the base at 703-784-5270 Wednesday through Sunday for information on obtaining a base permit.

Safety

Camping in the Chopawamsic Backcountry area can be very rewarding and peaceful. There are precautions that should be taken when camping in the backcountry. Campers should be prepared for changing weather conditions. It is always a good idea to let someone know where you are going and how long you will be gone. Many supplies are recommended for primitive camping, including a flashlight with extra batteries, pocket knife, first aid kit, nylon cord, waterproof matches, topographic map and compass, and plenty of food.

Always carry a supply of drinking water or have a method for purifying such as a filter, tablets, or boiling. Untreated water can harbor a microscopic organism called Giardia.

Pets Pets are not permitted in the Chopawamsic Backcountry Area.

Accessibility The Chopawamsic Backcountry Area is not wheelchair accessible. Trails contains steep hills in places and rough surfaces. Service animals are allowed.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Coucil Ring Trail, Cabin Camp 5

0.1 mi one way · about 30 ft of climbing · 244 ft–278 ft · native surface · hiking · seasonal: Restricted Access: Cabin Camp 5 Residents Only

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Farms to Forest

0.9 mi one way · about 40 ft of climbing · 325 ft–381 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Farms to Forest Extension

1.8 mi loop · about 100 ft of climbing · 242 ft–359 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

High Meadows Trail

2.2 mi one way · about 350 ft of climbing · 193 ft–298 ft · native surface · hiking

Hike to the Taylor Farm Site the Park Service's write-up

30-120 Minutes · dogs allowed · entrance fee applies

Start Taylor Farm Site

Clearing covered in green grass with a lone tree and the forest in the background — Taylor Farm Site in summer Photo: NPS Photo

Prince William Forest Park was built from land that had belonged to quite a few different family farms. Evidence of these farms can be seen in the remains of the foundations of farm houses and buildings, the fruit trees and flower beds that still grow nearby, and the occasional pieces of dishes or other artifacts found on the forest floor. If you see any of these artifacts, please leave them where you found them and let a ranger know!

The Taylor family farm was one of the farms located near the center of what is now Prince William Forest Park in the early 1900s. The Taylor family farmed wheat, corn, and oats as well as a vegetable plot and orchard with walnut and a variety of fruit trees. They also raised cows and hogs and operated a small country store on their property. While not much evidence of the farm remains, an open field in the forest as well as the wisteria that grows throughout the area are indicators of this old farm site.

To visit the Taylor Farm Site, park in the Turkey Run Parking Area and follow Old Blacktop Road at the end of the parking area until its junction with Taylor Farm Road. Turn left to go south on the Taylor Farm Road until its junction with the High Meadows Trail and follow that trail south a short ways to the farm site. Alternatively, park at parking lot H and follow the High Meadows Trail northeast to the Taylor Farm site. Either way is a little over a mile out and back hike.

Accessibility The trails to get to the Taylor Family Farm site are not accessible to wheelchairs. They consist of rough gravel and dirt trails that are narrow in places and occassionaly root covered. Service animals are allowed.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Lake Overlook, Cabin Camp 5

20 ft of descent · 223 ft–244 ft · native surface · hiking · seasonal: Restricted Access: Cabin Camp 5 Residents Only

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Laurel Loop Trail

1.3 mi one way · about 150 ft of climbing · 72 ft–224 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Link to South Valley Trail, Cabin Camp 5

0.1 mi one way · 50 ft of descent · 196 ft–241 ft · native surface · hiking · seasonal

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Little Loop Connector

0.1 mi one way · 247 ft–253 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Little Run Loop Trail

0.6 mi one way · about 50 ft of climbing · 150 ft of descent · 173 ft–255 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Mary Bird Branch Trail

0.1 mi one way · 275 ft–278 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Mary Byrd Branch Trail

0.5 mi one way · about 70 ft of climbing · 211 ft–281 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Muschette Trail

0.2 mi one way · about 50 ft of climbing · 165 ft–215 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

North Valley Trail

0.1 mi one way · 63 ft–68 ft · wood surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

North Valley Trail - Boardwalk

1.1 mi one way · about 30 ft of climbing · 54 ft–84 ft · native, wood surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

North Valley Trail - CC 1&4 District

2.7 mi one way · about 200 ft of climbing · 300 ft of descent · 65 ft–253 ft · native, wood surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

North Valley Trail to Quantico Falls

0.1 mi one way · 111 ft–117 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

North Valley Trail-Laural Loop Trail Connector

71 ft–79 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Oak Ridge Trail

1.9 mi one way · about 90 ft of climbing · 267 ft–383 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Parking Lot I Trail to Waterfalls

0.2 mi one way · 20 ft of descent · 117 ft–134 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Piedmont Forest Trail

0.4 mi one way · about 40 ft of climbing · 169 ft–214 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Quantico Falls Trail

0.6 mi one way · about 150 ft of climbing · 113 ft–271 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

South Valley Trail

7.9 mi one way · about 250 ft of climbing · 550 ft of descent · 72 ft–377 ft · native surface · bike, hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

South Valley Trail (SVT) Connector

0.1 mi one way · 60 ft of descent · 99 ft–161 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

South Valley Trail Connector

119 ft–122 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

SVT Conncetor

0.1 mi one way · about 50 ft of climbing · 87 ft–127 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

The Crossing Trail

0.5 mi loop · about 50 ft of climbing · 142 ft–200 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Trail to Aquatic Area, Cabin Camp 5

0.3 mi one way · about 10 ft of climbing · 50 ft of descent · 217 ft–274 ft · native surface · hiking · seasonal: Restricted Access: Cabin Camp 5 Residents Only

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Trail to Council Ring

0.2 mi one way · 10 ft of descent · 215 ft–231 ft · native surface · hiking · seasonal: Restricted to Cabin Camp 4 Residents

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Trail to Liming Cemetery

0.3 mi one way · 40 ft of descent · 246 ft–288 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Trail to Telegraph

0.3 mi one way · 40 ft of descent · 188 ft–233 ft · native surface · hiking

Picnic areasVisitor centers

Along the way Telegraph Road Picnic Area Prince William Forest Park Visitor Center

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Turkey Run Ridge Trail

1.4 mi one way · about 200 ft of climbing · 89 ft–261 ft · native surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Visitor Center Path

223 ft–226 ft · concrete surface · hiking

Visitor centers

Along the way Prince William Forest Park Visitor Center

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Visitor Center Sidewalk

223 ft–226 ft · concrete surface · hiking

Visitor centers

Along the way Prince William Forest Park Visitor Center

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

5 more mapped segments without a name are on the map, not in the list.

About these trails

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-14 and simplified for the map. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do", unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.