The mighty waterfalls at Great Falls as they pour into Mather Gorge are breathtaking. Just minutes from Washington, D.C., the falls and gorge can be viewed from both the Maryland and Virginia sides of the Potomac River. Plenty of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails lead visitors through this scenic spot in northern Virginia. Great Falls Park is dog-friendly and a perfect place for some spectacular views and exercise. This post provides information and pictures from the Virginia side with an entrance along George Washington Memorial Parkway in McLean. (The Maryland side of Great Falls is part of the C&O Canal National Historical Park and its entrance is located on MacArthur Blvd in Potomac.)
Admission
There’s an admission charge by car or individual (on foot or bike). When we visited, the fee was $20 per car; $15 per motorcycle; or $10 per individual if arriving on foot, bike, or on horseback. The admission fee is valid for seven consecutive days, including the day of your visit. The fee is good for entrance to either the Maryland or Virginia entrances.
Accessibility
The main lookouts of the dramatic falls and the picnic area are considered accessible.
What You’ll Find at Great Falls, VA
- 15 miles of hiking trails, some of which are multi-use (for bicycling and horseback riding, too).
- 11 hiking trails that range from 1.6 to 9.8 miles with ranges of difficulty. River Trail along the cliff tops offers incredible views of the gorge, the cliffs along the Maryland side, and some wildlife. At one spot is a small, sandy beach.
- Fishing spots. Expect to see bass, catfish, and carp. (Fishing licenses are required for those 16 years and older.)
- Whitewater boating and rock climbing — only for the experienced. Check with the visitor center for more information.
- Good birdwatching opportunities. Bring your binoculars!
- A visitor center with exhibits of the Patowmack Canal as well as park history and its features. Check online for the visitor center’s days and hours of operation.
- Three overlooks. Overlook #3 provides the best views of the waterfalls. There are other great views of the gorge along River Trail.
- Some historical ruins of a small town, Matildaville, dating to the 1790s. Today’s visitors can see a few ruins along the Matildaville Trail (an easy 1.7 walk).
- Wildlife. (We saw some deer, birds, squirrels, and a turtle.)
Tips for Your Visit
- The park is open from 7:00 am to dusk.
- Arrive early on the weekends, as parking lots can fill up quickly in nice weather.
- Consider using hiking poles if planning to hike along some more difficult rocky trails.
- No swimming or wading is allowed. The river can be dangerous in this area.
- Wear sunscreen and bug spray. Remember that ticks may be present.
- Bring your own food and drink. And don’t forget to bring water! There may be vending machines open near the visitor center, but you may prefer to bring your own food. Picnic tables (with some nearby grills) are close to the visitor center.
- There are restrooms by the visitor center.
- Leashed dogs are welcome to accompany you. 🐶
Trails Map
Brief History of Great Falls (MD & VA)
Originally, this area was a trading spot for colonists and Native Americans. George Washington envisioned and worked for a way to make the river navigable. His thought was to build canals to make commerce with other communities easier. Canal construction began in 1785 and lasted 17 years. Actual use of the canal lasted for 26 years and helped to ferry grain, whiskey, tobacco, furs, wood, and more from one place to another along its 200-mile length. The Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal was in use until 1924 before being replaced by railroads that could move products faster and more efficiently than the boats along the canal.
A Small Town Comes & Goes
A small town, Matildaville, stood on the Virginia side of the Potomac. It was designed to take advantage of its position along the Potomac River. (One notable town visitor was Theodore Roosevelt who dined at its tavern.) However, things for Matildaville didn’t pan out as planned, due in part to the fact that the town’s founder couldn’t make use of the river. The Potomac River was entirely owned by Maryland — on the opposite bank. The town lasted about 30 years until around 1820.
A National Park is Born
Over the years, this land was owned by and used for different purposes. Great Falls Amusement Park opened in 1906 with a light rail line connecting it with nearby Georgetown. A power company owned a good chunk of the land beginning in the 1940s. Eventually, the National Park Service (NPS) acquired the land and opened Great Falls Park in 1966.
Nearby Attractions
Great Falls Park’s trails and amazing views are just outside Washington, D.C. and accessible to all who live in or visit the area. If time permits, consider visiting Washington D.C.’s best monuments to the country’s past leaders and historical events and George Washington’s home at Mount Vernon. Both are close by. Enjoy!
Final Thoughts
My husband and I really enjoy Great Falls. Most recently, we hiked along the River Trail and the Matildaville Trail. We packed a lunch in our backpacks and enjoyed our meal while perched on some boulders overlooking the gorge. (If you bring food into the park, remember to take all your trash with you. Leave no trace!) Nearby some birds were keeping watch over the water below. We went down to a sandy beach for a look and then headed back on Matildaville Trail. Always interested in history, we checked out the ruins of Matildaville and pondered what life was like here over 230 years ago. Great Falls Park was the perfect spot to enjoy the wonders of nature and a very scenic hike — just outside the nation’s capital.
Comments?
Please share your experiences and suggestions for other places to visit in the area. Your ideas could be helpful to other travelers. Thanks! 🙂
