Celebrate National Trails Day with Prince William County Parks!

There’s something magical about being outdoors. Fresh air, birds singing, moving along a trail, or even just around the block—there’s nothing quite like it. Each year, people all across the country unite on the first Saturday of June in celebration of National Trails Day. It's the perfect opportunity to set off on a local trail with others in your community, give back to trails and build a world where everyone has access and feels welcome to enjoy the great outdoors.

Prince William County Parks and Recreation is proud to recognize National Trails Day on June 1. Below are some ways you can celebrate the day:

1. Join: Find a local event or create your own and join the nationwide movement. Locally, Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition will be hosting a trail workday event the following weekend (June 8) and volunteers are needed. Learn more here.

2. Pledge: Take the #NationalTrailsDay Pledge and commit to leaving the trails and the outdoor community better than you found them. 

3. Connect: Use the hashtag #NationalTrailsDay and #pwcPARKS and share how you’ll leave the trails and the outdoor community better than you found them. Or just share a picture of yourself out enjoying one of our trails!

Prince William County Parks has numerous trails to venture out on. Below are just a few we think you'll enjoy.

Occoquan Greenway
The Occoquan Greenway links the County Government Complex to the Town of Occoquan using a mix of paved and natural surface trails. Trail users can expect varied terrain with views of the Occoquan Reservoir as well as water access. Leashed pets are welcome on the Greenway but don’t forget to bring your own pet waste bags. For the best trail experience, park visitors should park at the Lake Ridge Marina trailhead and walk on the natural surface trail and on-street segments to Antietam Elementary School.

Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park
Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park is a 140-acre historic site in western Prince William County. The park features more than 2.7 miles of walking and equestrian trails. Among the peaceful landscape, you’ll find that wildlife abounds in the fields, woods and ponds.

James Long Park
James Long Park offers natural surface trails that follow the Catharpin Creek Valley through the wooded portion of the park, with rolling terrain and several stream crossings. To access the trails, use the parking lot near the large playground.

Veterans Memorial Park
If you’re looking for a short walk to do, at Veterans Memorial Park you will find a one mile natural surface trail that follows Marumsco Creek from the baseball fields to the entrance of the park. This trail is part of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and East Coast Greenway routes.

Neabsco Creek Boardwalk
The Neabsco Creek Boardwalk is 10’ wide and 3,300’ long (.625 miles), with a two-level observation deck, a single-level observation deck and three overlooks. The Boardwalk traverses Neabsco Creek, allowing hikers access to wetlands where the tall grasses and marsh filter pollution from the river and provide a rich habitat for great blue herons, wood ducks, mallards, sparrow and red-winged blackbirds, just to name a few of the winged wildlife known to populate the area. It has quickly become a popular spot for wildlife photographers to families out enjoying nature at it's finest. The walkway is part of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, which was established by Congress in 1983 designating an 800-mile trail network stretching from the Allegheny Mountains in Pennsylvania to the Potomac River, winding through Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia.

On Saturday, June 1, we invite you to join Science in the Park as we celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk together! We’ll explore the plants and animals that call the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk home. Discovery Tables will include furs, feathers, shells, plants, and other interesting items that demonstrate how a wetland works. Learn about the cultural history of the area from County Historians.

Looking for more? Check out the latest edition of Leisure covering programs and activities from May through August. To view locations and information on all of our parks and trails, check out our PWC Recreation Mapper.