Free Entry Day at Prince William Forest Park

Let's enjoy a free entrance day at Prince William Forest Park!

❶ What we'll do:

• From the NE end of the Visitor Center parking lot (GPS 38.55988, -77.3479), we'll walk NNW through the Pine Grove Picnic Area, follow Laurel Loop Trail across South Fork Quantico Creek, and take South and North Valley Trails up Quantico Creek to the Quantico Cascades and return.
• The hike is out and back, about 5.4 miles with around 160 feet of elevation gain, and should take a little over 2 hours. The surface is dirt trails, often rooty, with occasional rocky patches. It may be muddy in places if there was rain on Tuesday evening. There are several footbridges and stretches of boardwalk. This is an easy to moderate difficulty hike.
• Google map: https://tinyurl.com/46r5e2zj

❷ How to get there: From I-95 S, take exit 150B to merge onto VA-619 W/Joplin Rd toward Prince William Forest Park. After 0.4 miles, turn right onto Park Entrance Rd. After 0.6 miles, take a left at the sign marked "Visitor Center Parking/Pine Grove Picnic Area." Turn right to park in the Visitor Center parking lot or, if that lot is full, continue straight to park in the Pine Grove Picnic Area parking lot. See https://goo.gl/maps/EMSzwL3CmE6776VD6

❸ What to bring: Plenty of water, comfy shoes with some tread on them, and your furry friend if desired. (Leashes, please.) Sunscreen and bug repellent are recommended.

❹ Cost: Free!! Normally there is a $20 per vehicle entrance fee, payable by credit/debit card, mobile payment app, or online through recreation.gov. 'America the Beautiful' Annual and Lifetime Passes may also be used. For more information, see https://www.nps.gov/prwi/planyourvisit/fees.htm

❺ Weather: The forecast is mostly sunny and a high of 93F (84-88F during our hike). Winds SW at 10 mph and a very slight chance of showers, with thunderstorms possible in the afternoon. Updates here: https://tinyurl.com/2t9wesu8

❻ Advisory: As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is allowed at this event, either as members or as guests, to include babies in carriers and/or strollers.

❼ Administrative stuff: There are two restrooms near our meetup point, one just west of the visitor center, and the other in the Pine Grove Picnic Area along our route.

❽ Notes:

• Prince William Forest Park Visitor Center, 18170 Park Entrance Rd, Triangle, VA 22172, https://www.nps.gov/prwi/index.htm
• Free Entrance Days in the National Parks: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm