No detected openings were recorded in the last 90 days. Campsite Sniper monitors Chopawamsic Backcountry Camping Permits continuously and will alert you if that changes.
Of the 1,464 tracked site-nights (Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027): 1,441 open for online reservation · 23 reserved.
Where the open windows are
Load status
Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027Of the open site-nights on mapped sites, 829 fall on weekdays and 612 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
Sep 2026 – Mar 2027December holds the most room. 248 of 248 site-nights are still open there.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 8 sites| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | SAT Sep 5 | 0 | None open |
| SUN Sep 6 | 0 | None open | |
| MON Sep 7 | 0 | None open | |
| Thanksgiving | THU Nov 26 | 8 | Open |
| FRI Nov 27 | 8 | Open | |
| SAT Nov 28 | 8 | Open | |
| Christmas | THU Dec 24 | 8 | Open |
| FRI Dec 25 | 8 | Open | |
| New Year | THU Dec 31 | 8 | Open |
| FRI Jan 1 | 8 | Open |
Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked night. Thanksgiving: 8 sites are available for the complete three-night stay. Christmas: 8 sites are available for the complete two-night stay. New Year: 8 sites are available for the complete two-night stay.
Best-availability sites
Most open site-nights · tracked window| Site | Open site-nights |
|---|---|
| BC8 | 183 |
| BC1 | 181 |
| BC6 | 181 |
| BC7 | 181 |
| BC2 | 180 |
The 5 sites with the most open site-nights in the current snapshot. Pair a bookable date with a free alert to cover everything else.
Next windows
As of Sep 18, 2026 snapshotThe next bookable night is Sep 18; the first open weekend starts Sep 18. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.
Stays and site detail
Multi-night stays. 18 2-night, 18 3-night, 16 7-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest Sep 18 at site BC8.
All 8 sites with current availability
| Site | Max RV | Hookups | Open site-nights | Longest run | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BC8 | Not recorded | None | 183 | 183 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +171 more |
| BC1 | Not recorded | None | 181 | 146 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +169 more |
| BC6 | Not recorded | None | 181 | 146 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +169 more |
| BC7 | Not recorded | None | 181 | 174 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +169 more |
| BC2 | Not recorded | None | 180 | 146 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30 +168 more |
| BC4 | Not recorded | None | 179 | 146 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +167 more |
| BC3 | Not recorded | None | 178 | 146 nights | Sep 18, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2 +166 more |
| BC5 | Not recorded | None | 178 | 145 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +166 more |
About Chopawamsic Backcountry Camping Permits
Overview
Looking for some peace and quiet? Want to get back to nature, listen to the sounds of the nocturnal world, or simplify your life? Then come experience primitive camping at Prince William Forest Park’s Chopawamsic Backcountry Area.
Chopawamsic (chop-uh-WAHM-zik), Algonquian for “small, divided river flats”, consists of about 400 acres (162 ha) of backcountry with a wilderness-like feel in a remote area of Prince William Forest Park. Within this tract of land, there are eight designated hike in campsites. Campsites are accessible from a two-mile (3.2 km) loop trail.
Chopawamsic Backcountry Area limits camping to six people or one family unit per site. Chopawamsic is not designed for group camping, which is available at Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground .
The northern side of Breckenridge Reservoir is accessible by trail from the Chopawamsic Backcountry Area for fishing.
Recreation
Chopawamsic Backcountry Area is located in Prince William Forest Park, which preserves approximately 15,000 acres (6070 ha) including a major portion of the Quantico Creek watershed. The area is the largest example of a piedmont forest ecosystem, the piedmont being the geographic plateau between the Appalachian Mountains and the Atlantic coast. The park represents one of the largest parcels of undeveloped land in the area and is the National Park Service's third largest unit in Virginia.
Various geological outcroppings, winding creeks, gently rolling slopes and man-made lakes make wonderful destinations for any adventurous visitor.
The park is home to many animals including 46 species of mammals, 22 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, more than 129 species of birds, 26 species of fish and an unknown number of invertebrates.
More than 900 plant species exist in Prince William Forest Park, from the smallest wildflower to the tallest tree. From tree bark in winter, wildflowers in spring, canopy cover in summer and autumn colors in fall, Prince William Forest Park offers beautiful scenery year-round.
Facilities
This primitive backcountry camping area is open year-round barring inclement weather. There are 8 hike-in campsite spots located along a 2 mile (3.2 km) loop trail. Each spot contains a flat area for pitching a tent and a wooden post with the site number and is located a short distance off of the loop trail. There is a parking area at the start of the loop trail that has one vault toilet. Everything you carry with you when hiking to the sites must be carried out with you when you leave.
Natural Features
Chopawamsic Backcountry Area is located in Prince William Forest Park, which preserves approximately 15,000 acres (6070 ha) including a major portion of the Quantico Creek watershed. The area is the largest example of a piedmont forest ecosystem, the piedmont being the geographic plateau between the Appalachian Mountains and the Atlantic coast. The park represents one of the largest parcels of undeveloped land in the area and is the National Park Service's third largest unit in Virginia.
Various geological outcroppings, winding creeks, gently rolling slopes and man-made lakes make wonderful destinations for any adventurous visitor.
The park is home to many animals including 46 species of mammals, 22 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, more than 129 species of birds, 26 species of fish and an unknown number of invertebrates.
More than 900 plant species exist in Prince William Forest Park, from the smallest wildflower to the tallest tree. From tree bark in winter, wildflowers in spring, canopy cover in summer and autumn colors in fall, Prince William Forest Park offers beautiful scenery year-round.
Nearby Attractions
Prince William Forest Park is centrally located, with easy access to all of the attractions the Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., area have to offer. From the park entrance, the National Museum of the Marine Corps and the main gate of the United States Marine Corps Base Quantico are just a mile (1.6 km) away.
The park is located directly between historic Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park and Manassas National Battlefield Park.
Getting there
To get to the backcountry area: 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. Do not follow GPS applications to Chopawamsic Backcountry Area as they will sometimes take you onto military roads that are not public access. To get to the main park entrance: From Washington, D.C., and points north, take I-95 south to exit 150-B toward VA Route 619/Joplin Road. The park entrance is the second right, continue up the road 2 miles to the gravel parking area for the Chopawamsic Backcountry Area on the left near mile marker 22. From Fredericksburg, Virginia, and points south, take I-95 north to exit 150 toward VA Route 619/Joplin Road. Turn left at the bottom of the exit ramp and continue on VA Route 619 West approximately 1/4 mile to the park entrance. Washington Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport are approximately 45 minutes drive-time from Prince William Forest Park. Baltimore/Washington International Airport and Richmond International Airport are 90 minutes away. There is no bus service near the park. Local commuter buses may be available near the park via the PRTC system. Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express services are available in nearby Quantico, Virginia, approximately 5 miles from the park entrance. There is no public transportation directly to the park.
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
Photo gallery
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Chopawamsic Backcountry Camping Permits?
Reservations for Chopawamsic Backcountry Camping Permits are made through Recreation.gov. The current snapshot shows substantial availability: 1,441 of 1,464 tracked site-nights are open (98.4%), though availability can change. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 15:19 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
Can I get a multi-night stay at Chopawamsic Backcountry Camping Permits?
18 three-night openings are showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts Sep 18 at site BC8. Confirm and book on Recreation.gov.
Which month has the most availability at Chopawamsic Backcountry Camping Permits?
December 2026, with 248 open site-nights in the current snapshot of 248.
When is the next open date at Chopawamsic Backcountry Camping Permits?
As of the Sep 18, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Fri, Sep 18 and the next open weekend starts Fri, Sep 18. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.
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