Prince William Forest Park to close campground and backcountry for 3 months

Prince William Forest Park in Triangle VA near Quantico Marine Base will close its Oak Ridge Campground and the Chopawamsic Backcountry area Dec. 1 to save money. Both areas will reopen March 1, 2014.

For the first time in 25+ years, Prince Wiilliam Forest Park will close its Oak Ridge Campground for a portion of the year. Tradiitionally, Oak Ridge has been open year-round for camping.

With a decrease in the federal operations budget, Superintendent Vidal Martinez was forced to examine ways to reduce costs while limiting the impact on park visitors. Oak Ridge Campground has a significant decrease inn the number of campers during the winter months, a news release said.

“We are disappointed that individual visitors will not be able to experience winter camping at Prince William Forest Park,” said Martinez. The park superintendent was regretful that some visitors would be impacted by the winter closing but noted the areas would be open to visitors during the most popular times of the year.

Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground and Nationnal Park Servvice concessionaire Prince William Forest RV Campground will continuue to operate without interruption.

For information on park operating houurs and programs go to http://www.nps.gov/prwi or ca,ll the visitors center at 703-221-7181.

National Park Service employees care for America’s 401 nnational parks and work with communities across the nattion to help preserve local hhistory and create close-to-home recreational opportunities.