PWF Oak Ridge

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February 25
Sunday

Pre-registration is required and will open Monday, Feb 19 at 6 pm. It will close on Saturday, Feb 24 at 12 noon. There will not be any day-of registration.

Welcome back to Oak Ridge for our first truly local event at this still-almost-new venue after the 2020 one-day NRE and 2023 Royal Romp national event. The subtle, rolling character of the expansive terrain north and west of the campground--pretty much completely unused except by us--has made Oak Ridge an immediate and challenging favorite. QOC's Vido Aleksiev is providing a full set of classic courses (WYOBGRB) for the event.

See this locator map to guide you from I-95 to Oak Ridge Campground and this one for a layout of the campground and event sites. The event check-in location will be near the entrance to Oak Ridge Campground (which is closed to camping during the Winter) and easily visible on your right as you arrive and enter the campground to park.

For parking, follow directions from the parking volunteers wearing orange safety vests. The roadway inside the campground is one-way, and there will be foot traffic moving along and across it, so use caution as you drive. Oak Ridge Campground is a family camping site, so the single vehicle camping slots and other parking spaces are spread out over three loops. You may have to walk up to 600 meters from your car to the check-in location at the campground entrance.

Parking is somewhat limited at the site, so carpooling is encouraged (and will save $$). Per-vehicle park entry fee is $20; if the pay station at the entrance is not manned, entry fees can be paid at the park HQ before driving out to the check-in site at Turkey Run or via the NPS app available at this link. (NOTE: the fee for an annual park pass is $35; QOC members may want to consider purchasing an annual pass for this great park, either at a park office or a local REI. Seniors, current or former members of the US Armed Forces, and some other categories of park users are entitled to a free passes for the entire National Park System. See this link for details.)

Reminder: This is the same park (albeit a different area) used for our March 16-17 Training Weekend, so a longer-term park pass may be cost-effective. Registration is open until March 9 for the Training Weekend.

Volunteer SignUps: If you'd like to help at this event, click here or contact the Event Director.

Post-event Social: After your run, grab a bite to eat with fellow orienteers at the Panera Bread in Dumfries, located here, just 8 miles north of the park.

Keep in mind:

• All participants must pre-register; there is no day-of registration.
• No food items will be provided.
• Participants are responsible for meeting all their own hydration needs before, during and after their courses.
• As always, please be off the course no later than 3pm and remember to download at our e-punch station even if you did not finish.
• Beginner's instruction will be available.
• For those new to orienteering, make sure to check out our Your First Event and For Beginners webpages, and if they don't answer any question you have, just use our Contact Form and ask.
• Group Leaders (of larger groups): please contact the Event Director so they are aware of your plans.
• Port-a-jons will be located near check-in at the entrance to the Oak Ridge campground. Campground restrooms are all closed for the season.
• Dogs are allowed in the park but must be on the leash at all times.