Overview

Looking for some peace and quiet? Want to get back to nature, listen to the sounds of the nocturnal world, or simplify your life? Then come experience primitive camping at Prince William Forest Park’s Chopawamsic Backcountry Area.

Chopawamsic (chop-uh-WAHM-zik), Algonquian for “small, divided river flats”, consists of about 400 acres (162 ha) of backcountry with a wilderness-like feel in a remote area of Prince William Forest Park. Within this tract of land, there are eight designated hike in campsites. Campsites are accessible from a two-mile (3.2 km) loop trail.

Chopawamsic Backcountry Area limits camping to six people or one family unit per site. Chopawamsic is not designed for group camping, which is available at Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground.

The northern side of Breckenridge Reservoir is accessible by trail from the Chopawamsic Backcountry Area for fishing. 

Facilities

This primitive backcountry camping area is open year-round barring inclement weather. There are 8 hike-in campsite spots located along a 2 mile (3.2 km) loop trail. Each spot contains a flat area for pitching a tent and a wooden post with the site number and is located a short distance off of the loop trail. There is a parking area at the start of the loop trail that has one vault toilet. Everything you carry with you when hiking to the sites must be carried out with you when you leave.

Natural Features

Chopawamsic Backcountry Area is located in Prince William Forest Park preserves approximately 15,000 acres (6070 ha) including a major portion of the Quantico Creek watershed. The area is the largest example of a piedmont forest ecosystem, the piedmont being the geographic plateau between the Appalachian Mountains and the Atlantic coast. The park represents one of the largest parcels of undeveloped land in the area and is the National Park Service's third largest unit in Virginia.

Various geological outcroppings, winding creeks, gently rolling slopes and man-made lakes make wonderful destinations for any adventurous visitor.  

The park is home to many animals including 46 species of mammals, 22 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, more than 129 species of birds, 26 species of fish and an unknown number of invertebrates.

More than 900 plant species exist in Prince William Forest Park, from the smallest wildflower to the tallest tree. From tree bark in winter, wildflowers in spring, canopy cover in summer and autumn colors in fall, Prince William Forest Park offers beautiful scenery year-round.

Recreation

Chopawamsic Backcountry Area is located in Prince William Forest Park, which preserves approximately 15,000 acres (6070 ha) including a major portion of the Quantico Creek watershed. The area is the largest example of a piedmont forest ecosystem, the piedmont being the geographic plateau between the Appalachian Mountains and the Atlantic coast. The park represents one of the largest parcels of undeveloped land in the area and is the National Park Service's third largest unit in Virginia.

Various geological outcroppings, winding creeks, gently rolling slopes and man-made lakes make wonderful destinations for any adventurous visitor.  

The park is home to many animals including 46 species of mammals, 22 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, more than 129 species of birds, 26 species of fish and an unknown number of invertebrates.

More than 900 plant species exist in Prince William Forest Park, from the smallest wildflower to the tallest tree. From tree bark in winter, wildflowers in spring, canopy cover in summer and autumn colors in fall, Prince William Forest Park offers beautiful scenery year-round.

Nearby Attractions

Prince William Forest Park is centrally located, with easy access to all of the attractions the Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., area have to offer. From the park entrance, the National Museum of the Marine Corps and the main gate of the United States Marine Corps Base Quantico are just a mile (1.6 km) away.  

The park is located directly between historic Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park and Manassas National Battlefield Park.

Important Notices

• Open fires such as campfires are strictly prohibited. All cooking must be done on camp stoves.

• Pets are prohibited in the Chopawamsic Backcountry Area to preserve a wilder experience, without the impact of domesticated animals on wildlife viewing and the natural soundscape.

• Directions: From the park entrance, follow Rt. 619 or Joplin Road for around 2 miles north past the American Legion sign. Almost immediately after you pass mile marker 22, the entrance to the backcountry area is the first left at the top of a slight hill. It is a gated small gravel parking area with a pit toilet. The gate is not locked; please shut it behind you. Do not follow GPS applications to Chopawamsic Backcountry Area as they will sometimes take you onto military roads that are not public access.

• Waste Disposal. There are no trash cans at Chopawamsic and the vault toilet by the loop trail parking lot is the only toilet facility in the backcountry area. Please use Leave No Trace practices and dispose of human waste no less than 200 feet (81 m) from a water source and cover all waste with soil and leaf matter. Please pack out what you packed in, including any toilet paper and other litter.

• Tent Placement. Tents must be located within twenty feet of the wooden campsite post marker.

• Maximum Stay. Maximum stay is seven consecutive days and 14 days in one calendar year.

• Group Size. Chopawamsic Backcountry area limits camping to six people or one family unit per site. Chopawamsic is not designed for group camping, which is available at Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground.

• No Group Camping. Chopawamsic Backcountry area limits camping to six people or one family unit per site. Chopawamsic is not designed for group camping, which is available at Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground.

• Attaching Gear to Trees. Do NOT attach ropes, clotheslines, tent lines, or nails to trees or other vegetation. Hammock camping is permitted with 1-1/2 inch (3.8 cm) wide minimum straps on trees with a diameter of 6 inches (15.25 cm) or more.

• Prohibited: fireworks, swimming, use of power tools, hunting and trapping, and any weapon (except firearms in accordance with Virginia laws).

• Age Limit. You must be 18 years of age or older to obtain a Cabin Camp permit.

• You are responsible for complying with all laws, regulations and policies. In addition to the rules listed here, Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations and the Superintendent's Compendium apply. For further information or to ask questions, please contact the park's visitor center at 703-221-7181 or see visit the park's Chopawamsic Backcountry Area web page.

Available Activities

• Fishing - Fishing
• Photography - Photography
• Wilderness - Wilderness
• Hiking - Hiking
• Camping - Camping
• Birding - Birding
• Backpacking - Backpacking
• Wildlife Viewing - Wildlife Viewing

Directions

<p><strong>To get to the backcountry area:</strong> </p><p>From the park entrance, follow Rt. 619 or Joplin Road for around 2 miles north past the American Legion sign. Almost immediately after you pass mile marker 22, the entrance to the backcountry area is the first left at the top of a slight hill. It is a gated small gravel parking area with a pit toilet. The gate is not locked; please shut it behind you. <strong>Do not follow GPS applications to Chopawamsic Backcountry Area as they will sometimes take you onto military roads that are not public access.</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>To get to the main park entrance:</strong></p><p>From Washington, D.C., and points north, take I-95 south to exit 150-B toward VA Route 619/Joplin Road. The park entrance is the second right, continue up the road 2 miles to the gravel parking area for the Chopawamsic Backcountry Area on the left near mile marker 22.</p><p>From Fredericksburg, Virginia, and points south, take I-95 north to exit 150 toward VA Route 619/Joplin Road. Turn left at the bottom of the exit ramp and continue on VA Route 619 West approximately 1/4 mile to the park entrance. </p><p>Washington Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport are approximately 45 minutes drive-time from Prince William Forest Park. Baltimore/Washington International Airport and Richmond International Airport are 90 minutes away. </p><p>There is no bus service near the park. Local commuter buses may be available near the park via the PRTC system. Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express services are available in nearby Quantico, Virginia, approximately 5 miles from the park entrance. There is no public transportation directly to the park.</p>

Contact Information

Phone: 703-221-7181

Rental Options

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