It's a good idea to check the open fields for birds as you drive in along the entrance road, because the habitat will be different at the parking lot. Once at the lot, check the surrounding trees in all directions. The two "hottest" areas for fall migrants are usually the forest edges on the west side of the lot, and the entire cleared meadow area on the east side.

At any time of year, you can walk a shaded 0.7-mile trail through the woods from here to reach Chinn Ridge. The trail crosses and briefly parallels a stream in the woods (Youngs Branch).

The pine trees on the southeast edge of the parking lot, and woods adjoining them to the southeast, are a good place for Red-breasted Nuthatch. All of the migrating flycatchers, vireos, thrushes, warblers, tanagers etc. are possible and have occurred here in late summer and early fall.

This is one of the most reliable "migrant traps" in the Northern Virginia area, but only in the fall.  From early August through September, there has always been a good concentration of eastern flyway species close to the parking lot at the south end of this entrance road. Like all hot spots in this Park, there is good trail access connecting to the rest of the park.

Manasssas National Battlefield Park is managed by the National Park Service primarily to preserve and display the rich civil war history here. At the same time, it provides a fine variety of birding habitats. There are many places to park, walk the trails, or even view some of the fields from your car. All of the extensive field areas are managed to provide a variety of mown, brushy, and succession grassland.

Manassas National Battlefield Park encompasses nearly 5,100 acres of land and includes more than 40 miles of hiking trails.

Unlike many other National Parks, this sprawling and accessible park is free - no entrance or parking fees. Many of the street entrances and parking areas have gates; but in recent years, most of the gates have remained open 24 hours. It is usually possible to bird at any time of day.