Prince William Forest Park
| Prince William Forest Park | |
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IUCN category III (natural monument or feature)
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Quantico Creek in Prince William Forest Park
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| Location | Prince William County, Virginia, United States |
| Nearest city | Dumfries, VA |
| Coordinates | 38°35′07″N 77°22′47″W / 38.58528°N 77.37972°WCoordinates: 38°35′07″N 77°22′47″W / 38.58528°N 77.37972°W |
| Area | 16,084 acres (65.09 km2) |
| Established | November 14, 1936 |
| Visitors | 379,535 (in 2011) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | Prince William Forest Park |
Prince William Forest Park was established as Chopawamsic Recreational Demonstration Area in 1936 and is located in southeastern Prince William County, Virginia, adjacent to the Marine Corps Base Quantico. The park is the largest protected natural area in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region at over 16,000 acres (6,500 ha). Today, the park is a window into the past and serves as an example of what much of the East Coast once looked like centuries ago.
The park serves as the largest example of Eastern Piedmont forest in the National Park System (arguably, one of the most heavily altered ecosystems in North America). The park also protects the Quantico Creek watershed. It is a sanctuary for numerous native plant and animal species.
A variety of recreational opportunities are available, which include:
The park’s cultural resources are also varied. They include:
Tortoises such as the Eastern box turtle can be found in Prince William Forest Park, especially after a light rain. There are a number of Amphibians that inhabit the park. Toads and frogs, such as the American toad, American bullfrogs, and Cope's gray tree frog can be spotted in the park, as can salamanders such as the marbled salamander and the eastern red-backed salamander. A variety of bird species, such as the hooded warbler, the wood thrush, and the red-shouldered hawk, can also be found. The park is also home to Mammals, such as red foxes and white-tailed deer; spotted along the upper North Valley Trail. A few black rat snakes have been seen in and around logs and brush areas. Various skinks can be seen around sunny areas of the trails.
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Wikipedia