The National Park Service will begin improving wastewater systems at Prince William Forest Park’s campgrounds this summer.
The work will require periodic closures at Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground and Oak Ridge Campground and the extended closure of Cabin Camp 3. These improvements will ensure that Prince William Forest Park can continue to welcome visitors to these campgrounds into the future, providing a convenient and fun experience for all.
The work will cause the following campsite and cabin closures:
- Cabin Camp 3 individual and group cabins will remain closed through Aug. 2.
- Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground campsites and amphitheater will be closed from June 20 through Oct. 27.
- Oak Ridge Campground A Loop sites A1 – A24 and the A Loop restroom will be closed from Aug. 1 through Nov. 16.
These closure dates may change depending on the completion of the project and factors such as weather.
The Chopawamsic Backcountry Area, Oak Ridge Campground sites A25 – A42, B and C Loops, and Cabin Camps 1, 2, 4, and 5 will remain open to campers.
Nearly 295,000 people visited Prince William Forest Park in 2022. The park sits just off Joplin Road, at 18170 Park Entrance Road, in Triangle.
The park’s activities include camping, hiking, picnicking, and bicycling.
The Marine Corps Marathon Organization 17.75K will take place Saturday, March 25 at Prince William Forest Park near Dumfries, causing some road closures and delays.
Over 3,000 runners will take to the 11.03-mile course at 7 a.m., with the last participant estimated to finish about 11 a.m. Significant delays should be expected between 4:30 a.m. and noon on the day of the event.
More in a press release:
Road Closures and Time:
The biggest delays will be seen on Route 234 between Waterway Drive and Country Club Drive. Closures and times will follow as such:Pleasant Road will be closed to vehicular traffic from 5:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
One southbound lane and one northbound lane of Route 234 will be closed from 3:45 a.m. until end of the event, estimated to be around 12:00 p.m.
Southbound Route 234 will be fully closed to all traffic from 6:30 a.m. until the start line clears, estimated to be around 7:30 a.m.
Event Day Detours:
South Route 234 traffic will be detoured onto Waterway Drive starting at 6:30 a.m. Traffic will be rerouted to Route 234 at Country Club Drive.Parking and Shuttle Information:
Participants and spectators will be able to utilize several parking lots along Route 234. It is highly recommended for runners to carpool and park at the following parking lots and use the provided shuttles:Route 234 Commuter Lot, 17300 Dumfries Road, Dumfries, VA
Quantico Center (Fettler Commercial Buildings), 3850 Fettler Park Drive, Dumfries, Va.
Grace Church, 17100 Van Buren Rd, Dumfries, Va.
Secondary parking is available at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, 1775 Semper Fidelis Way, Triangle, VA.The designated shuttles will transport participants back and forth between the start/finish area at Montclair Tabernacle Church of God before and after the event. On event morning, the free shuttles will begin operating at 4:30 a.m., with the last pre-event shuttle departing the parking lots at 6:20 a.m. Post-event shuttles will begin running shortly after 8:30 a.m. from the 17.75K finish area and return to the designated parking lots. Each bus will be labeled with a specific parking destination.
There are also a limited number of parking spaces at Moncure Park and Montclair Commuter Lot. Due to the closer proximity to the start/finish area, there will be no shuttle service to these parking lots. Therefore, participants who choose to park in these areas are expected to walk to the start/finish area.
There is no participant parking at John F. Pattie Elementary School, Washington-Reid Preschool Center or Montclair Tabernacle Church of God.
Prince William Forest Park campground guests have been notified and provided detail through the park.
A very limited number of entries remain for the Marine Corps 17.75K. Interested runners can register at marinemarathon.com until Friday, March 24.
The National Park Service plans to conduct a prescribed fire in Prince William Forest Park this month, potentially as early as March 16, depending on weather conditions. The planned fire will cover approximately 105 acres of forested areas along Scenic Drive near the Oak Ridge Campground.
This fire aims to restore ecological processes in the park and reduce hazardous fuels.
To conduct a prescribed fire, also known as a controlled burn, many factors must align and ensure public and firefighter safety. The prescribed fire’s timing depends on weather conditions within the required wind, temperature, and relative humidity parameters.
Over the past 24 hours, high winds have prevailed over the region. However, the winds will soon subside, and temperatures will warm to the low 60s on Thursday, March 16, 2022.
Wildland fire engines, firefighters, and the nearby paved roads create buffers and fire breaks to ensure the fire is contained. National Park Service staff will monitor air quality and smoke impacts. Upon completion of the fire activity, wildland firefighters will continue to monitor the area to ensure the fire is contained.
Park roads and trails will be closed as needed to ensure the safety of the public and the firefighters. Portions of Scenic Drive, Oak Ridge Trail, and Old Blacktop Road will be closed during the burn, and smoke is expected to be visible in the northern part of the park.
Police found a car believed to be involved in a shooting on the Capital Beltway we first told you about earlier this week, burned out near Quantico.
Shortly before 4 a.m. today, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, the Prince William police Department said fire and rescue crews found a car ablaze in a wooded area of Prince William Forest Park, off Joplin Road near Quantico Marine Corps Base.
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Drivers traveling on Route 234 should prepare for detours.
Road Closures and Time:
The biggest delays will be seen on Route 234 between Waterway Drive and Country Club Drive. Closures and times will follow as such:
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Prince William County
Body found in Prince William Forest Park
On April 24 at 2:58PM, officers responded to The Prince William Forest Park located at 16675 Pleasant Rd. in Triangle (22172) to investigate a death.
The caller reported to police that while walking along a trail, they observed a body off of the pathway and contacted the police. Rescue personnel responded and pronounced the man deceased. The man was not reported to police as missing at the time of the incident.
