Details
18170 Park Entrance Road, Triangle, VA, 22172
National Park ServiceLast Updated: February 4, 2026
Table Of Contents
Campground Overview
Introduction
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.
Campsite Details
Operating 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.
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.
Amenities
Toilets
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.
Rates & Fees
Chopawamsic Backcountry Permit
A permit is required to gain admittance and can be obtained by visiting recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/259170 or calling 877-444-6777. While the backcountry permit is free of charge, a flat fee of $8 is charged for the reservation system if using the website and $9 if using the phone reservation system.
Rules & Regulations
Fire/Stove Policy
Open fires and all campfires are strictly prohibited. All cooking must be done on a camp stove.Regulations Overview
The following are prohibited in the backcountry: campfires, fireworks, pets, swimming, use of power tools, hunting and trapping, any weapon (excluding firearms in accordance with Virginia laws). There are no trash cans at Chopawamsic. Please pack out what you packed in. Tents must be located within twenty feet of the post marker. Maximum stay is seven consecutive days or 14 days in one calendar year. Trenching, leveling or digging is not permitted in any campsite. Bringing straw, hay, pine boughs or any vegetative materials to any campsite is prohibited. Ropes, clotheslines, tent lines and nails are not to be attached to trees or other vegetation. Hammocks are allowed with straps that are at least 1 & 1/2" and are not affixed to a tree less than 6" in diameter. Swimming and hunting are prohibited. Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations and the Superintendent's Compendium apply to use of the backcountry area.Accessibility
Wheelchair Access
No wheelchair access.
Cell Phone Information
Cell phone coverage is spotty.
RV Allowed
No
RV Information
No RV or Trailers allowed. Tents only.
RV Maximum Length
0
Trailer Maximum Length
0
ADA Information
There are no ADA camp sites available in the Chopawamsic Backcountry Area. There are no paved roads in this area.
Trailer Allowed
No
Access Roads
Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather
Classifications
Primitive Camping Areas
Additional Information
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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