So I came here last week while we had family in town. It had been many years since my last visit, and I was a first for a few of the family members who came. Entry fee is $10 per vehicle. There's a visitors center there on the lower level you can find a restrooms, water fountains, and a snack bar. On the upper level you can learn more about the park some of the natural features of the area. Plentiful parking although as others have mentioned this place can get busy on the weekends especially if the weather is nice. Lots of trails to walk around and plentiful picnic areas with grills but you'd need to bring your own grilling supplies. The scenic overlooks are great a few are also accessible to those who have limited mobility (i.e. there are some with ramps) which I thought was cool to see. Loads of trees surround the park though so its nice and shady we had gone on one of the hotter days but with the trees providing indirect sun it made our trip tolerable. If brining young kids or pets please be advised if heading towards the river to look there is a very steep drop off with some rapid current so please keep a close eye on them. There's also a Maryland side to Great Falls too that has a few scenic overlooks too the MD side runs along side of the C&O Canal tow path. read more

i've hiked here before, decades ago, when i was a kid, living in the dc area, but i hadn't been here for many years, until last month when i was back in maryland visiting my family. i was actually with a local area run club, running along the c&o canal towpath, and the small group i was with decided to make a detour off the path and head towards the great falls....initially, i was like, oh boy, we're gonna get lost and add extra unnecessary miles, but once we arrived at the vista point, i was glad that we made this little detour. since it was a relatively clear day, the view was magnificent...i could see the waterfall, river, and surrounding rock formations...an absolutely stunning piece of natural beauty. i could have stood here for a bit longer to admire the view, but the group left, and since i didn't know the way back, i had to follow. but i'll definitely make it a point to come back again, perhaps drive over to the virginia side to explore a bit more. read more

Gorgeous views, expansive scenery, wide-open spaces, clean air, wide river...for what more could one ask? It's a short drive out of the city, definitely close enough for an afternoon trip. Regarding the Billy Goat Trail: believe folks when they say that it's NOT an easy hike. You need to have sturdy shoes on. For one section, there is an 8-inch ledge that you must transverse....and below is a 20 foot drop! That gave me trouble. There is also a GOOD BIT of scrambling on all-fours to get over some of the boulders. You've been warned, peeps! read more

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Beautiful views, great picnic areas with barbecue pits, and fun hiking trails, all only minutes from downtown Washington, DC. On the negative side, like all hiking venues within 2 hours of DC this place can be absolutely packed on the weekends. This means you could wait for 15 minutes to get into the park! And then you still have to wedge yourself into a parking spot. But for nature near DC, this is probably the best. And for trail running and hiking near DC, you really can't find anything better. The park has a beautiful visitor's center and restrooms. It is extremely well kept and clean. I've never seen a park with clean bathrooms like this. It's pretty impressive. read more

Great Falls Park - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

This park is absolutely fantastic for the perfect Sunday morning hike - beautiful scenic overlooks for kids right at the start.The hiking trails aren't inherently hard - though there is a pretty good mix of "rock climbing" in them so they might not be suitable for very young children. I do love this park because of the no-trash policy - I didn't see a speck of garbage the entire time I was here & there's plenty of picknick tables/grills to have a good lunch. This is also enforced for pets, but there are poo bag stations around the park so that shouldn't be a problem. We got to the park relatively early (about 10am) and didn't have a problem getting in, though I could see a relatively small line of cars when we left (which I've heard from friends gets really jammed later in the day). So come early and absolutely bring your camera. You won't want to miss these views! read more

Great Falls Park - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

* Short drive to the middle of nature with amazing views * National park pass or $3pp/$5per car * Easy-to-follow, straight-shot trails. * There are some historical sites/museum that you can check out * Great picnic area * Both Great Falls and Difficult Run are cool! Minus points for the abundance of people... if you're looking for a quiet hike, you cant do it at Great Falls. read more

I've gone here faithfully since I was a kid. There's plenty to do, whether alone, with a friend, or with young ones. $5 buys you a three day pass- a decent deal if you plan on coming back within the next few days. This is a great place for a casual stroll, a picnic, hiking along the trails, and even rock climbing or, if you'd like to get a closer view, a little rock scrambling. There's also a visitor center to stop by. If you're interested, there's also a side of the park in MD (you can see it when you're at one of the overlooks) which features a little more challenging trails. One of the few places in the McLean area to park, relax, and spend some time in the great outdoors- all while enjoying an amazing view. Everyone I've brought here has enjoyed themselves. read more

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I don't recommend this as bicycling place for small children. The paths have roots/ rocks/ and mud (no paved trail or fire trails like in California). That's what makes the hike so interesting for us walkers. Must have good knees, traction shoes, and water. Bring your own bag for trash to TAKE HOME with you. DO NOT LITTER. No trash cans here. A small concession stand for hydration/ ice cream bars (again, take the wrapper home with you to throw away). Outhouses for bathroom. Some stations have flushing toilets. Fresh air, friendly hikers, lots of BBQ picnic tables full of families playing Frisbee. Rentals available at the less shallow parts of the Potomac, you can launch too at approved sites. While hiking, I saw a couple of fishing poles by the river's edge.... I didn't see a whole lot of fish. Need: Bug spray (OFF); Sunblock; water; bag for your trash; Hat; traction shoes. Saturdays: It takes 1 H to get "in." the Kiosk service collecting the $5.00 entrance fee had one person. Saw: cute girls with wedge sandals-- yikes.... asking for a twisted ankle. Keep your pet on a leash please. Watch your kids so they don't drown at the river's edges. Bring camera to record your lush hike. Cute tree branches stretching over the river's edge, saw lots of couples sitting on branches over the river-- private enough. I hiked with 4 people (one had bad knees, so I didn't go "UP" or left when the opportunity arose to venture off the trail.... I still enjoyed 2 Hrs of nature, felt like 10 minutes. Gates close around 8 pm in the summer. So don't get locked in. I didn't see any bears-- I'm from California and that's always a concern for me. Just deer-- so beware of Lyme disease/ ticks. Soak tic in rubbing alcohol cotton ball, it will release itself from your body. read more

Wow, I love being reminded that there is life outside of the city and my how beautiful it was... The trails are super easy and flat. If you want a challenge you'll have to find it yourself as we did going off the trail and climbing down the sides to the cliffs for our own private lookout points. This place is family friendly with picnic tables and flat open spaces. Watch out for flying soccer balls! read more

Great Falls Park - Overlook 2 - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

When the weather is warm and you need a place to reconnect with nature, consider paying a visit to the Great Falls. This park attracts people of all demographics and ages, for good reason. It's just plain nice! The views of the falls are magnificent, and you can walk (I scarcely consider this hiking) off the beaten path to get perhaps an even better perspective. It tends to get overly crowded for my liking in the summer with hordes of picnic goers and some people with overly rambunctious dogs...and overflowing parking lots. Get here early. Just make sure to take plenty of time to meander down the trails and even get lost exploring the woods. Besides walking around at your own leisure, you can also book group activities here. Rafting and rock climbing are available, so plan ahead if you are interested in those. And be sure to pay attention to the signs posted evvvvvverywhere about not going near the water - apparently there have been quite a few drownings here in the past. You can watch some of the aquatic daredevils (kayakers) take on the falls - there are always a couple ready to do battle (upstream) with the water. Each vehicle pays $5 for entrance, but the pass is good for the weekend (or if on a weekday, I believe two consecutive days?). The next time I come back, I hope I'm with one of the rafting groups! read more

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Great Falls National Park is one of the local gems in Northern Virginia. Came here on a Sunday for a Mother's Day hike with my wife and mother in law. For starters, the entrance is a ridiculous wait and they really need to improve it. Expect to wait 25+ minutes to get in. And please have your money or park pass ready to help alleviate the traffic that is created at the entrance. My hope is that one day they can expand the entry way to allow more cars in but I doubt it since we're talking about the federal gubment. Other than the wait time the park is absolutely beautiful and well worth the visit. The views are epic and one of a kind. It's a great place to get pictures, enjoy a picnic, go for a hike, launch kayaks, rock climb and more. The parking lot was busy but there was plenty of spaces in the overflow lot, not to mention that traffic is a steady in and out kind of situation. The visitors center is nice, but nothing to write home about. The gift shop inside was a little disappointing when I compare it to other National Parks. The restrooms were nice and clean for a National Park. Something important to note is that you must secure your own trash as they no longer maintain trash cans at the park. They provide bags, but you must take it with you. Like I said before the park is great to visit, so go see it if you have the chance to. *This park is gun carry friendly, however carry in federal buildings (except restrooms) is against federal law. Watch for the signs that clearly state this. read more

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Well maintained and clean. $10/car to get in and they take credit cards. Visitor center has restrooms downstairs on the ground level. Trash receptacles kept separate from bathroom trash and regular trash and bottles, thought that was unique. Green paint to follow along the trails, a plus. Also, there are BBQ grills and picnic tables by the entrance and I smelled some awesome grilled meats when I was entering, yummm!!! Overlook 1, 2, and 3 are a must. Very beautiful and picturesque. The trails are pretty jagged with random pointy rocks. It's doable but you definitely have to peel your eyes open. Very easy to go off trail and sprain your ankle. Lots of exposed cliffs everywhere, gotta watch the kids, so many spots to climb, overlook, and fall. Saw bunch of people hang rope and literally rock climb down few stories. Nuts! But exciting to see. Of course, I went too close to the edge and got frightened when I saw bunch of people down there in helmets and almost lost my balance. Yeah, don't do that. Saw two moms enter carrying their infant babies on the body carrier, they're crazy! Noooooo, definitely don't recommend that. You really have to watch where you're stepping, I can't imagine doing this with a baby in your front! Yikes. This park is definitely enter at your own risk, park. Enjoy! read more

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Never knew this place existed when we moved to the NoVA area! This place absolutely amazes me! They have many different trails you can walk around, lots of things to see (esp the view of the falls). There are picnic areas where you can bring your own food and eat. Lots of benches and open spaces for a picnic. The area is clean, rarely see any trash around the area. Entrance fee for vehicles are $10 (if you're military, you get free parking!) This place is a great place to go to during warm days and if you want to explore nature and ruins! Highly recommend to go early to get front row view of the falls and walk around the trails. read more

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Great Falls Park is a small National Park Service site situated on 800 acres along the banks of the Potomac River in northern Fairfax County. Since it's an NPS site, there's an entrance fee. If you are an NPS card carrier, you can get in for free just like any other NPS parks, of course. There are several overlooks for you to be able to see the falls and river. There are some trails you can hike on. None of them are too challenging, but you want to be careful walking on the rocks especially after the rain. They tend to be very slippery. The visitor center is very nice. Park rangers are very knowledgeable and helpful. They can answer any questions you have. It's a great place to spend some time together with your friends and families. Plan to spend at least half a day just relaxing and perhaps enjoy your picnic lunch. read more

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As far as nature goes -- close to DC anyways -- I think this is as good as it gets. We were really impressed with the views. Very nice place to stroll through trails and for the most part, it was stroller friendly with the exception of a few protruding roots and rocks. We brought a bagged lunch and ate it outside the visitor's center. The weather was beautiful for an autumn afternoon. There was even a snack bar where we grabbed some hot chocolate which helped us warm up. The hours are kind of weird though so check the website for hours. Really just a fun relaxing afternoon! Definitely will be back. read more

Beautiful views of the water falls! Easy hiking trails leading up to several views of the gorgeous water falls! Well worth the drive and money! read more

I went for the first time today - only took me 3 years to finally get out to GF. We got here around 11:00am and there were only 4 cars ahead of us when we got there - not as bad as we were anticipating on a Sunday - and pulled into the first parking lot we saw. We picked up a map at the visitor's center and picked River Trail since it goes closest to the Potomac. We lucked out with weather with beautiful, sunny skies. We saw the waterfalls and rapids from each of the three overlooks. We continued on the River Trail which is 3 miles roundtrip - it gets rocky and goes uphill toward the end. It's shaded and there are nice breezes. There are many opportunities for short detours to climb on rocks and view the river and Mather Gorge. We probably hiked for about 2.5 hours (detours included). When we emerged, we found the snack stand to pick up a soda - I was surprised the prices were so reasonablye since there's only that one food establishment. It was so crowded when we left around 1:30. When we drove out of the park, there must have been a half mile of cars backed up waiting to pay their $5 car entrance fee. The best advice I can give is to get there before 11am on Sundays and bring your camera. read more

Great Falls Park - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

This is an absolutely gorgeous park. The views were breath taking. There is a per car entrance fee, so one or four people it should be the same price. This is not the place to get in the water. There are a surplus of warnings about rip currents throughout the park. As far as trails go, there are several to choose from. The trails are mapped out and well labeled. As you go along the traila there are colored indicators to keep you on the correct path. If you are looking to make a mess or goof around, this is not the park for you. There is no alcohol permitted, however some inconsiderate people left broken beer bottles around the trails. This is bad for the environment and potentially dangerous to hikers. There is a huge open area for kids to run around and with picnic tables. I'd suggest you eat there as many of the trails are rocky, and it's a trash free park (Meaning there aren't trash cans along the trails so you must keep up with your stuff until you're back.) The bottom line is that Great Falls park is a gem that is to be well treated and enjoyed. If you are into nature or a short hike this is the place to go!! read more

Great Falls Park - What a view!! - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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Great falls was a beautiful park! We have a yearly pass, but I guess that people thought the price to get in was too much because I saw a ton of people trying to sneak in on the side of the road while waiting to go in. The views are gorgeous and I love how spacious this park is! Just a note if you plan on going, try and avoid weekends because there was a million people there on a Sunday, they closed the park as we were leaving because they were max capacity and it was only 4 p.m. I also didn't see many people wearing masks or socially distancing from one another, take that information and do with it what you want. read more

GREAT place to go hiking! For $5/car, you can enjoy the beautiful great outdoors without having to venture too far from DC. I absolutely love hiking and am sad that I did not know of Great Falls earlier -- Great Falls is a pretty big area with not only hiking, but kayaking, picnic areas, etc. My friends and I came here this past Saturday for a hike and were so amazed by the beauty of Great Falls! The trees were so green and while the waterfall was a bit too torrential (due to recent rains), it was still quite a sight to see. It was a bit muddy, so we called it the Cappuccino River. We took the River Trail from the visitor center parking lot north and it was only a couple of miles. I enjoyed the hike, though, as it was a bit of a challenge with much upward walking and even some "climbing." It was along the river with many stops to be made so as to see the sights. It was beautiful! The air at the top is so crisp and clean, too. Coming down, we took the Mitildaville Trail which was a bit easier/flatter and goes through what used to be a village called Mitildaville. In all, we only hiked for a couple of hours because it started to rain when we neared the visitor center. Otherwise, I would have liked to hike south on the River Trail to see more! I definitely encourage everyone to come out to Great Falls at some point just enjoy the beauty of nature only a short drive away from DC. read more

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There is no doubt about the power and awe of Mother Nature when you visit Great Fallls Park. While exploring, enjoy the majestic power and might of the Potomac River. Incredible waterfalls provide breathtaking waterscapes. Wildlife is abundant. Flora and fauna give any botanist (novice to expert) something interesting to see. It is a must see park. There are two other parks nearby which you can hike to if you feel adventurous. Or, sit under a tree at one of the many tables to read a book, catch up with family & friends, or to have a barbeque. read more

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Coming from California, I have a deep appreciation for the outdoors; I love going to state parks. I visited Baltimore and wanted to find a nearby place to hike. Great Falls was a little over a hour drive away, so I decided to go. The falls are nice, and there's three lookout points. This park has a bit of everything- hiking, biking, kayaking, rock climbing, etc. Lots of flat hiking trails, and very family friendly. It's a trash free park, so you have to carry your trash with you. In terms of restrooms, there are porto potties near the entrance. The running water toilets are about 1 mile into the park, toward the inside trail. There's lots of parking in the lot. If you're in the area and want an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, check this park out! read more

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Decided to come here with the boyfriend P and our dog Toby. We came early at around 9:30AM and had no issues finding parking at all. APPARENTLY, this week is national park week so we didn't even have to pay for parking WOO! Normally, I believe it is $10 per vehicle or $5 per person if you show up without a vehicle. There are 3 overlooks into the Potomac River. It was super nice and you can smell the water. You can also see the overlooks on the Maryland side with people in it. We took the Old Carriage Road trail which is 1.6 miles one way and then on our way back, we took the Potowmack trail so that we could walk near the water and check out the scenery. All in all, this place is such a beauty and it's amazing that it is located so close by. I recommend wearing lots of sunblock if you come on a sunny day. The trails we walked on were only partly shady because most of the trees don't have any leaves yet. read more

Great Falls Park - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

Such an amazing site. There are three lookout points to see the waterfalls from different angles. I never knew something so amazing was right in my backyard in northern va. There are lots of picnic areas/bbq areas.. bathrooms.. even during peak times/season they sell food. You are allowed to bring your leashed pets as well. Cost is $5 per car, but your receipt is good for 3 days (so you can come back if you want). There is a VA side and a MD side. The VA side has a better view of the falls. You can sometime see people riding their kayaks down the rapids of the waterfalls during the summer. I suggest going early during weekends in the summer.. after 11am or noon.. expect to see a line of cars when entering the park. read more

Such a fun, family friendly place for either a casual stroll or a more strenuous hike!!! Get here early for parking, especially on nice days ($10 a car). I arrived around 10:30AM on 12/27... a week day, but s holiday break day. It was also a beautiful day for December (58-60 degrees). The lot was mostly empty. We left about two hours later and the lot was packed with no parking. So keep this in mind!! I've done a few trails - the overlook one for just a light walk, and billy goat trails. Most recently, I did the billy goat trail A which was a fun challenge. Most of the route was rocky that involved climbing on boulders, and a 40 ft cliff wall to climb up. The trail is marked very well. I have a great time here, no matter what trail I take! Beautiful options here, and a very peaceful time. read more

Great Falls Park - midway through billy goat trail A - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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Went around sunset and absolutely stunning views. I shouldn't have to recommend, any sane person should want to visit. I did not grow up around mountains so the views offered are stunning to me. Loved my experience here read more

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There are two issues I have with Great Falls Park that I want to mention right off the bat because, other than these two items, I have nothing but glowing things to say. The first one, there are no garbage cans with the exception of in the bathrooms. The thinking is this discourages people from creating trash with the mantra "bring out what you brought in". After observing numerous picnics and gatherings going on, let me tell you, this was not the case. There was less trash being left than I thought there would be but still, if they are trying to protect the environment, they should offer trash cans to dispose of said things that can ruin the environment. I didn't bring in anything, so obviously I didn't take out anything, but you have to wonder how many people are going to carry around their trash after a huge picnic. Just sayin...... The second thing worth mentioning, I believe, was a fluke during my visit. The women's restroom was "closed for cleaning" and, although the sign said 20 minutes, I heard several women saying "It's been longer than 20 minutes" and I can attest we walked around the visitor's center for 20 minutes before returning to the bathroom area, and it was still not open. Women started going in the men's room, and yes, I joined them because, ah, sometimes nature calls and you just can't wait anymore. What an uncomfortable experience for both the men and the women! Now that I have those two items off my chest, I can give praise where it's due! We took the River Trail to the dam to, what looked to us, like a mini waterfall. We were both pretty underwhelmed, thinking THIS is Great Falls-luckily we were horribly mistaken. We went down the other direction and came upon the three overlooks, each one giving a more stunning view than the last! There were a few kayakers and a SUPer which was pretty cool to watch. While you can kayak, you cannot swim in the water, which judging by the rapids, would not be a good idea anyways. Lots of trails to hike around on, some have a more treacherous terrain than others. There are also a lot of rock formations that I highly encourage exploring that offered a fun climbing experience. You can also boulder or rock climb here too. The park is very dog friendly as well, and there are lots of open spaces for running around. Just note the line can get backed up for entry into the park, which is $10 per car. I imagine the line is much worse during the height of the summer. Given the wide variety of trails and places to explore here, I highly recommend visiting here. I can't wait until next summer when I'll have more time to discover this beautiful gem just 30 minutes away! read more

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Great Falls is a great way to get out of the city and into nature without having to drive forever. The scenery is lovely. A nice place to bring a date if you want something more active and more interesting than the usual coffee or dinner. The trails are well-kept and easy to follow. They do tend to get crowded, however. At the Visitor's Center you'll find information, a few exhibits about the park, restrooms and a snack bar. There's also picnic tables and places to grill. I was worried that we wouldn't be able to find parking since we were arriving after noontime on a gorgeous Sunday, but we had no problems. We hiked along the River Trail and had fun scrambling around on the rocks alongside the trail. We saw several groups of rock climbers--I'm dying to come back to try that. read more

Great Falls Park - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

Quiet and beautiful. I got to see ducks, some sort of hawk, many friendly dogs, a puppy, police and horse, friendly hikers, fit joggers and of course the beautiful Great Falls! It is quite a walk for first-timers, but worth the distance! I saw all kinds of people - on dates, friends just walking, a painter and parents with kids. I recommend this location for almost any occasion! read more

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Best places to hike, picnic and enjoy a gathering outdoors. Beautiful views and scenery. Variety of trails and paths for walking. Plenty of space and parking. Clean and safe! read more

Great Falls Park is a beautiful place to enjoy nature right in the DC metro area! I love coming here for a picnic, hiking, photography, or just take in the natural beauty! Its good to enjoy mini waterfalls after some rain! Have taken many a beautiful pictures on my multiple trips to the park! Parking is quite abundant but it does get busy during the peak season. read more

A truly great park to go to with friends and family. The overlooks next to the river are very beautiful and scenic. Staff is very friendly and helpful as well. A lot of people were out enjoying the geogeois fall weather. By The Way. and read more

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Average trail for hiking. It costs $10 for entrance, which seems steep. The park itself is mediocre. I like the waterfalls here. read more

Amazing! Perfect getaway a few steps away. Great drive through the neighborhood and into this natural beauty. We were able to take a leisurely walk to view the falls. Followed by rock climbing, no equipment necessary although there was a handful of folks that were all set for that kind of adventure. We noticed fishing going on as well as kayaking. While we sat and enjoyed the view, others found a moment of tranquility and meditated. In a near by location there was a wedding ceremony on the way. Everything about it spelled out tranquility at it's best. To top the day we were able to barbeque. Perfect day :) oh I must mention it is dog friendly :) read more

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I love hiking and this place didn't disappoint. The lookouts were beautiful and the trails are easy enough for most individuals to be able to finish regardless of fitness level. I would have like to swim in the river but the water was full of black little bugs that I hadn't seen in rivers back home. I would recommend packing a lunch and spend a few hours here taking in nature. read more

Great Falls Park - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

This place is a sight to behold! It was incredible. The rock formations throughout the park were so interesting and something I had never seen before. The wildlife definitely added to it as well lots of bird watching! There was plenty of parking and I wish we had been able to stay a little longer but we were just stopping through, but very glad we did! read more

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Not really much of a hike but it is gorgeous. I want to try the Maryland side (Billy Goat Trail). Beautiful rocks and trailing water ways. A scenic area great for photos. read more

Love this place and come here once in a while with friends and my pup. Only some trails are dog friendly, so do your research. I've been to both VA and MD sides. Billy Goat Trail A is a serious trek, but well worth it. I also enjoy the River Trail on the VA side, which I bring my pup on often. They recently raised the entry fee from $5 to $10. I believe there is an annual pass for $30, so great deal for that instead. Make sure to come early on the weekends. Around noon, the line goes on forever and the wait can exceed 45 mins. read more

Great Falls Park - River Trail - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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How can you not love this place !!! Year round this place is filled with joggers, dog walkers, and cyclist. The view is never disappointing but the more rigorous part of the course (billy Goat Trail) is closed during inclement and winter weather but the walk to the overlook and back is still a must try. read more

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I loveeeeee hiking here, it's just a big beautiful circle. The parking is terrible in the summer (weekends and holidays.) Mainly because people want to bbq and not clean up after themselves! read more

Great Falls Park - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia