This is the entrance to Chopawamsic Backcountry Area
Photo: NPS Photo/Cecilia Lynch
About
Chopawamsic Backcountry Area (tents only) is an 8-site, hike-in/hike-out, backcountry campground in a remote area of the park. No pets and no campfires are allowed in this area. Four campers per site only. Campers must pitch tents within 20 feet of the site marker. Reservations can be made on recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Campers must pay the park entrance fee or possess a valid park pass. Vehicles must be parked in the gravel parking lot.
Campsites
Location
18170 Park Entrance Road
Triangle, VA 22172
Fees
Hours
Chopawamsic Backcountry Area (tents only) is an 8-site, hike-in/hike-out, backcountry campground. No pets, no alcohol, no open campfires, no live bait in the reservoir allowed. Four campers per site only. Campers must pitch tents within 30 feet of the site marker. No reservations are possible. Campers receive a permit on a first-come, first-serve basis. There is no charge for the back-country permit, but campers must pay the park entrance fee or possess a valid park pass. Vehicles must be parked in lot.
Reservations
A permit is required to gain admittance and can be obtained by visiting recreation.gov or calling 877-444-6777. Permits can be obtained up to 3 days in advance of your visit. There is a small flat fee for the use of the reservation system.
Make a Reservation →Directions
Do not follow GPS applications to Chopawamsic Backcountry Area as they will sometimes take you onto military roads that are not public access. 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.
Weather
Prince William Forest Park experiences all four seasons. Spring and fall are generally comfortable with precipitation possible. Summers can be hot and humid with average temperatures in the high 80s and with sudden thunderstorms possible. July and August are the hottest months. Winters can be cold with average temperatures in the winter of 41 degrees with variable precipitation. The main park roads can close due to snowy conditions, though cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing are permitted.
Accessibility
No wheelchair access.
Cell phone coverage is spotty.
Open fires and all campfires are strictly prohibited. All cooking must be done on a camp stove.
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No RV or Trailers allowed. Tents only.
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No pets are allowed in the backcountry area. The only vault toilet is in the parking lot so please dispose of any human waste no less than 200 feet from water sources and pack out any toilet paper.
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There are no ADA camp sites available in the Chopawamsic Backcountry Area. There are no paved roads in this area.
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Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather
Primitive Camping Areas