Hike in Prince William Forest Park: A Moderate 6.8 Miles: The Beaver Loop!

Approximate driving times for this hike: From Washington, D.C. - 45 minutes; from Fredericksburg, VA - 20 minutes; from Manassas, VA - 20 minutes.

This may have just become my favorite local hike. It's a very pretty hike, following a creek for a good bit of the way. The path is narrow and rustic, but level enough that you can look around as you walk. No long uphills. This is an excellent hike for transition novice-to-intermediate, or for a shorter length, for a novice trip - Tom- A Member of The Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group!

Roughly 100 miles inland from Virginia’s coast, a geologic boundary called the fall line marks a change in the landscape. Here, the sandy soil of Virginia’s coastal plain segues into the bedrock underlying the Piedmont. The effect is pronounced on rivers, where waterfalls and rapids form. Historically, these acted as barriers to ocean-faring vessels. Towns formed up and down the fall line to handle commerce between inland farmers and traders. Prince William Forest Park, a small national park straddling the fall line in Prince William County, is tied to this history through the tobacco farmers and miners who used the nearby port town of Dumfries to ship their goods. Today, the park still receives heavy use, but now hikers, cyclists, and nature lovers are drawn by the cascades, wildlife, rare plants, and historic ruins.

A dense and heavy canopy keeps the sun and rain out! An amazinging beautiful creek runs along entire length of South Valley Trail and hiker feedback says this makes this hike worth a drive from anywhere!

Transition Hike

This is a fantastic transition hike for anyone looking to progress to moderate level hiking from easy or easy side of moderate hikes. There is just the right amount of elevation gain/change, but with no long hills.

Hike Pace
This hike will be led at a moderate pace, between 2.5 - 3.0mph.

Trail Information

Activity Type: Hiking
Nearby City: Triangle, VA
Length: 6.8 total miles
Elevation Gain: 611 feet ( Some hills, but none too steep or long)  
Trail Type: Loop
Skill Level: Moderate 2.5mph pace
Duration: 3-4 hours
Trail Surface: A combination of dirt forest paths, dirt roads, and paved roads lead through hardwood forests and along streams to small cascades, rock outcrops, and waterfalls
Season: Year round; limited winter camping
Trailhead Elevation: 100 feet
Top Elevation: 300 feet
Local Maps: USGS Quantico, Joplin
Topo Map: Prince William Forest Park Topographic Map
Guide Book: Hiking Virginia (Burnham) Guide Book

Weather Information

We hike rain or shine! Click here for up to the minute weather information for the trailhead.

Gear Information
Here are some suggestions for what to wear and what not to wear for our hikes.

Carpool Information

Baltimore Area Carpool
To carpool or caravan, people can arrange to meet a Savage Station. you should post that in the Comments section. Click here for directions to Savage Station. 

If you can drive or want to carpool from another location, please post the location in the comment section below. For those who need a ride, reach out to the drivers. Make friends, and support the environment - by just offering a ride!

Directions to the Trailhead

Click here for directions to the trailhead. If you have any questions regarding directions, please contact the hike leader at the number provided below. 

Hike is at 10:00 a.m.

Carpool from Baltimore area is 8:30 a.m.

 Park Entrance Fee

The fee is $5 per vehicle and is valid for seven consecutive days. You must drive to the Visitor Center to pay, just follow the signs. 

Please remember we are a social hiking group that values fellowship and camaraderie and practice good hike etiquette. We take breaks as necessary and have at least one guide in the front in addition to a "sweeper" in the back  which means that no hiker is left behind. If you get upset because someone has to rest at the top of a hill etc. then find another group! We are very supportive, encouraging, and focus on safety while getting or staying fit on the trail and practicing leaving no trace.    

Please take the hike leaders number with you and enjoy the hike!

Fido is Welcome on This Hike

Ken: [masked]

Tim: [masked]

Robert: 2 of 2 co-led hikes/leader in training 

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