Just amazing. I love going there and just enjoy the weather and the hikes. I go there all of the time in the summer

This is one of our favorite parks with hiking trails and great views. We visit often during the Spring and Fall because you need a bit of a breeze in order to hike up and down. We love arriving early in the morning in order to not be stuck in long lines leading to the parking lot, but a great advantage is that this park actually has ample parking. There are trails for the crazy adventurers and trails for the elderly. There is also enough greenery for kicking a ball around and playing soccer, or just to play catch with your kids. There is also a picnic area we haven't visited but it looks spacious and clean for the family. This is definitely a place to visit if you live in the DMV area. Especially because there's a VA side and a MD side, so you have no excuses to explore this beauty! read more

Beautiful park!!! There are so many trails that it suits any level of hiker. There are horse trails, walking trails, climbing trails even saw people rock climbing. There are 2 sides of the park, one is on the Virginia side and one is the Maryland side. This review is for the Virginia side. There is a huge open area for grilling out and having a picnic. read more

Great Falls Park - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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Beautiful park with spectacular waterfalls. There is a hiking trial that goes along the Potomac River and leads to the waterfalls. They have a very nice visitor center here too with very clean restrooms. Is small charge to enter but well worth it. read more

I grew up in the middle of nowhere and went to Great Falls immediately after Old Rag, so that probably biases my review. But I didn't think Great Falls was nearly as exciting as I'd been told. The hikes are generally kind of boring, though they are easier trails for those with kids or dogs. There's not much of an incline and other than the Falls themselves, I thought the scenery wasn't very excited. Even though I was there off-season, it was kind of crowded, especially with bikers. Still giving it three stars for its proximity to DC, since there isn't much else immediately accessible. It was a nice way to spend some time outdoors without going too far away. It's advisable to go early or later in the afternoon-- if you go mid-day parking may be a problem. You can also avoid the fee on some days and holidays, I believe, which may be worth looking into. read more

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

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I like the Virginia side of Great Falls! The river trail has many rocks to give you a bit of a sweat and a beautiful views of the falls every so often! During the week is amazing, no one really on the trails. On the weekend is more busy as to be expected, but still manageable ! There are a few parking lots before you start hiking. There are plenty of flat grass areas for picnics or pictures. I really find it relaxing here!! You can buy a calendar year pass for only 30 dollars! you can also share that pass with one other person! Great deal. read more

This park is AWESOME! Breathtaking views, great hiking trails, it's is absolutely beautiful! I had visited on a Sunday in September so it was perfect weather. I love that it's pet friendly and there was a ton of people hiking with their furry friends. Lots of picnic tables and areas where you can use the charcoal grills. I fell in love with this place and I can not wait until I go again! read more

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Awesome, amazing, beautiful place! It's definitely a place you want to visit. I walked the trails with my beautiful fiancée. First Time there together. It was great, different paths and obstacles, Kayakers, rock climbers, hikers, pot heads smoking out and about, nature, wildlife, weather was nice, a lot of people. Water felt nice too. If you go make sure you wear the right gear. And take water. Oh and my girl Face Timed her family, so you can definitely get a signal out there. I will defiantly go back there and explore more. read more

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DC area mainstay for those who like the outdoors. It's getting a bit crowded these days, but awesome nonetheless.

Great spot i definitely recommend. I love that i could also bring my pets along. The view is amazing and i will definitely come visit again. read more

Great Falls Park - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

Great hiking trail and customer service. Trails are marked and there are clear paths even in the dirt.

I like the place. If you want go there don't forget take eat with you :) because there no restaurant . read more

Great Falls Park - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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Great Falls was a blast. I have been searching for a spot to hike like this for a while now and have finally found the perfect one. This was my first visit here. I was advised to check out the Maryland side as opposed to the Virginia side because I heard it was slightly better. Dogs are permitted here, but only on the trail by the river and not the side trail called the Billy Goat Trail. They have a big sign posted that tells you why they aren't permitted, and honestly I don't feel many dogs would be safe doing the trail because of its level of difficulty. We were only able to do about 1/4 of the Billy Goat Trail because some members of our group could not hang, but the portion we did was beautiful. I will definitely be back ASAP to do the rest of the trail and to hopefully make it to the actual Great Falls waterfall! read more

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The family loves it. We live just blocks away. What wonderful views and a great place for walks and hikes. This is also a terrific picnic spot. I have fond memories of coming here as a child with my parents and brother. read more

Stunning views of the water falls and the hike is nice and easy compared to some other places in the area. Perfect for going with kids or in the case of my mother, where this hiking trail was the max of what she could handle. Great place to stop by if you're visiting Virginia or hang out during the weekends if you live nearby. There's several grills spread throughout if you want a picnic/bbq but I believe they can get filled up pretty quickly especially on weekends. While coming into the park, if you see that cars are backed up and you're at the stoplight... I'd suggest turning around unless you're okay with waiting maybe even over an hour. So head over here early!! I hear that if you make it super early and beat the ticketing workers, you can even come in for free but for I believe $10 a car, not a bad deal at all for the view, exercise and fresh air you get. read more

Great Falls Park - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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I pulled into Great Falls Park in my leased 2012 Toyota Corolla with my BBS sport wheels and Bose sound system. The orange sign stated "expect delays" and it was slow going so I pretended to check my stock portfolio on my phone to fit in with the Great Falls and McLean crowd. It was a beautiful sunny August weekend day and long lines are common in the summer around noon and especially on the weekends. A 30 minute wait is not unusual but I should have come at 7am to avoid any human contact. I used to pull into GFP at 6:45 am and think that I was the only nut up that early until I encountered a team of bird watchers in funny hats glued to their binoculars. I paid the $5 entrance fee and had some bad small talk with the lady in the booth. Should buy a $20 seasonal pass but I keep putting it off. After pulling away, I seemed to be on the radar of Olga the 6'4 park police officer. I slowly crossed the speed bumps and she seemed to think there was something suspicious about me so I played it really cool and close to the vest! I suspected she was running my plates and don't want any trouble with the park police. GFP is a trash free park but they seem to be slowly bringing the trash cans back. They have 2 doggie clean up stations and some trash cans behind the clubhouse on the backside of the visitor center by the Porta-johns but I probably should not share this information. Of course, there are 2 dumpsters end the rear parking and I often see cars pull up and unload but they want you to take your trash home? In the summer, they put up several big plastic barriers that say "falls up on left" and not sure about this gem of an idea. I made way to the parking lot and connected with a few friends. We all went to Dicks the night before and picked out flashy running outfits. The plan was to repeatedly race by hikers on the trails. We planned to grunt and not say hello and just be as anti social as possible. It's fun to just run up to someone and give them a good scare and project that we are important vibe. After this tough workout, we headed over to the picnic table area for a massive feast. Prior to the workout, we corralled 10 tables with the help of our girlfriends. We planned to spend the day consuming lots of food and tossing a football and being really loud to annoy people. If anyone asked we planned to say that we just did a tough run on the River trail. What a fun time at the park. I've be going to GFP for years and usually at odd times and no set schedule. I must seem approachable because a few people have come over and i sensed that they were depressed or in a funk and needed someone to chat with. Maybe it wasn't the case but we walk the trails and I try to tell a few jokes and hopefully make them laugh. read more

Beautiful breath taking views of nature. Best place to relax when you want to get away from the big city. Summer time is the best season to visit this place. Perfect for family outing. I would suggest bringing your own food. read more

Lovely park that is dog friendly. Also has picnic tables. Parking is $10 and $5 per individual in case if you want to walk or bike in. The hiking trails are not too difficult and pretty flat which make them good for the entire family. Also the waterfall itself is very majestic. Sometimes you can see kayakers going down them, which we did and it was cool to watch. Nice spot if you're looking to be outdoors. The only thing is that we went after it rained and the trails were a little bit flooded. So just be prepared for that. read more

Great Falls Park - Beautiful! Saw kayakers today! - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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Love this park - it has something for all ages. There are plenty of picnic and grilling areas for fun with friends and families. There are also beautiful view points of the Potomac river that make for excellent pictures. You can also go on a few different hikes that give you an excellent view of the river from above. read more

Stunning scenery & tranquility minutes up the Potomac River from the huddle bustle of Washington DC. Peaceful wooded trails next to the Great Falls and Mather Gorge. Busy on holidays and summer weekends, peaceful and quiet most other days. Pack a lunch and enjoy. read more

Entrance fee on the Virginia side is a little steep but worth it for the absolutely beautiful views. The trails and tracked really well and its always fun to venture off the path onto the rocks a little bit. They have a public rest room and water filling stations which is nice. read more

Great Falls Park - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

Stunning, gorgeous, relaxing. For the DC area, Great Falls is as good as it gets. I have been hiking/jogging here off and on for many years. I can usually get about 10-12 miles in here (I will repeat portions of trails to do this but I don't believe that's necessary). There are plenty of trails ranging from easy to difficult to get your booty in shape while taking in some terrific scenery and fresh air. If you are going to do a more difficult trail, I highly recommend making sure you have great shoes for it and a walking stick if you need it. I have fallen quite a few times here (I have weaker ankles than most) on certain downhill sections. I have a few buddies that love rock climbing here as well. I would also say this is my husky's favorite park (my german shepherd prefers actual dog parks...he likes the doggie interaction), he gets so happy when we bring him he bounces around like a bunny all over the place. FYI - dogs are definitely supposed to be leashed, however like I do, most dog owner's will remove the leash for a little bit if no one else is around. This is a great spot for more than just your outdoor workout though. Over the years I've had more than a few dates here, as a dinner by the falls can be quite romantic (just be sure to go on a less crowded weekday). It's also a great spot for picnics, scavenger hunts and of course it's the perfect place for just taking photos. Quite often I see wedding/engagement photo shoots going on here. I definitely prefer the Virginia side but the Maryland side is a fun visit as well. The park holds a lot of history so visiting the website and reading up before you go can be helpful and informative. Don't forget to stop by the Visitor's Center (during open hours) and talk to the park rangers. They are so sweet! I'm a US National Parks Passport owner (epicly nerdly I know) and I enjoy coming in here, getting my cancellations and picking up new stickers. I even get signatures from the Rangers in my book. Enjoy your visit. read more

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Beautiful and calming park. Went on the Virginia side recently with my basset/beagle and took him for a walk. Excellent trail for him to trot around and stick his nose in foliage. The river and falls are spectacular to look at. Makes you think about how long the river has existed and the force water has. It continues all the way to the Chesapeake Bay (another natural wonder). There are easy flat trails and then some more rocky ones that are slightly challenging foothold wise. None of them are very steep. I remember going on the Maryland side during a previous trip and there were more straight ahead trails near the canal, with platforms and bridges that led to a different view of the river. You could get a little closer as I recall, and see the rapids up close. A beautiful getaway to nature right near the city. You will no doubt see a hawk or two circling the skies. I love this park. read more

I finally made it to this park after several trips to D.C. Some background: I love being outdoors but am limited by foot and knee arthritis. This National Park has the best set up for hikers with limited abilities. There are handicapped access areas with ramps. I was able to access non-handicapped areas with hiking poles and a slow pace (and a patient daughter). The signage is good. Overall, a good hiking experience for this gimpy hiker. read more

Great Falls Park - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

Man, I love this place. Just 20 - 30 short minutes (depending on your driving...I have a lead foot) from the hustle and bustle of the city is this amazing, natural little oasis straddling the Potomac River with park parts in VA and MD. Yes, I managed to make it dirty... Husband and I try to get out here as often as possible to get our hike on and -- if we've planned well -- finish the afternoon off with a picnic. For hiking, the MD side is better. Do the Billy Goat Trail, which is broken up into several sections, but is easily managed in a couple hours, tops. It doesn't take an Iron Man to complete this bad boy, but please wear appropriate footwear. Nothing is more entertaining than watching someone attempt a rock scramble in flip-flops, but gosh it makes me nervous, too. I don't want to have to scrape someone off a boulder and summon the park ranger for an airlift out. The Billy Goat runs along the river, but other trails in the park take you further into the woods and some even pass by ruins of original homesteads. For the views of the falls (as well as picnicking), the VA side is way better. If you can, time your visit for after a heavy rain when the falls will be raging and really provide maximum jaw-dropping action. Biking along the canal is a great, low-impact, leisurely way to enjoy the park, too. Lots of people stroll the towpath, and it can get crowded in nice weather. But for some reason, people really don't stray off the path, so if you can get even half a mile onto a trail, you lose pretty much everyone. Really, it is so wonderful to have Great Falls this close to DC. When you wake up in the morning craving a hike, you can head out here with relatively little planning. Awesome! read more

I love this park. Some like it for the calm winding trails that are perfect after a bad day. For me, however, the fun starts the moment you hop the wooden fence and head towards the water Great Falls is the best place to go free-climbing in in Northern Virginia. It has simple paths to take you down to the water and back, as well as tricky angular faces with pits of jagged rocks between them to kill you if you lose balance. Every time I go here get hurt. And I have fun, so much fun I don't care that I fell ten feet slipping on a wet rock; I had a damn good time in the process. Also, despite the rapids and waterfalls, it's real easy to swim over to Maryland and climb on their rocks. You can make a day out of this park and it never gets old read more

It's moments like these that make me realize how lucky I am to live in Northern VA! Great Falls park is just a short ride from our home in Alexandria and boy is it worth it. The only word that does this place justice is "Beautiful". The grounds and the falls are just absolutely beautiful. There are 3 lookouts, multiple trails, and endless picnic areas. A great place to take kids and dogs...we will definitely be coming back to check out the fall foliage! Love love love Great Falls Park! read more

Fall is my favorite season in DC. Crisp air, sunny skies, and leaves changing color always makes me want to get out of my apartment and enjoy the outdoors. Yesterday was one of those days, and luckily there was a bye week (Go Blue!) so I could spend a Saturday doing something other than eating nachos and drinking beer in front of the TV. The park is easy to get to, and even on a busy day like yesterday, the car line to get into the park was short and parking was no problem. I was really amazed at the large picnic area in the park, and how many different groups of people were wandering around: couples, large church groups, boy scouts, old folks, kayakers, families, dog lovers, etc. The overlooks were awesome - a great way to view the falls from up high. The various trails were fun to walk along and you could easily walk off the trails and explore on your own. Just make sure to bring sturdy shoes, bug spray and sunblock. I'm so glad I crossed the river to see the river from the other side - it was a fun day escape from the hustle of the city. read more

I got lucky the first time I went bc they weren't taking payments, kind of like a free trial. Second time I went this week and I got the season yearly pass, only 35$! A day with one car is $20 so it's a steal for sure. I spent the whole day on one side of the river and it was amazing. The scenery is beautiful and there's a good variety of it. There's a trail for every mood and desired intensity. I've never enjoyed hiking but I want to make more trips here. read more

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Really a great place to have so close. There are great hiking trails with historical sites along them. Fabulous views of the waterfalls. Very nice picnic areas. There are trails that are stoller friendly, for those with little ones. I can't think of anything bad. Oh, maybe the wait if you arrive past 11:00 on the weekends. Five bucks, totally worth it. Followed on by ice cream at Moorenko's in McLean, a perfect day. read more

Great park, really enjoy coming here! The fees are $10/car or $5/person or you can buy an annual pass for 1 car for $30 if you plan on coming back. Several great trails here with beautiful views of the waterfall, very enjoyable even in winter. During summertime a lot of people take advantage of the bug picnic area with grills for family outings and bbq. read more

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Great Falls Park is definitely the most popular option for day hiking among those living in the DC area. The views at the entrance of the park are compelling, instantly rewarding, and are appreciable by people of all ages. Indeed, just beyond the visitor center, there are no less than 3 overlooks onto the Potomac River where you can see the jutting rocks and the quick rapids which comprise "Great Falls". They are great places to reflect and take photos; and with picnic tables nearby, one can easily plan lunch here as well. The park has more to offer than the overlooks though. There are actually several trails here that can be kluged together in any number of ways to provide a nice hike through mixed terrain. We walked the length of the River Trail which was definitely the trail with the most rewarding views. It hugs the Potomac along the cliffs and has a lot of ups and downs and even light scrambling. It culminates in a steep climb that really affords a commanding view of the river. We connected on to the Ridge Trail which basically just follows a ridge line through the woods. This trail connects with the Difficult Run Trail at the furthest reach of the park. Caution to the would be park goer: Difficult Run Trail actually is closed in the middle of its run through the park. This is not indicated on the park map! We opted to bushwhack up the steep cliff from the closure point, reconnected with the Ridge Trail which goes on to cross the Old Carriage Road. This road will take you all the way back to the entrance via a leisurely walk. Alternatively, you can continue onto the Swamp Trail which will eventually rejoin this road and provide more of that walk through the woods feel. I went on to give the Matildaville Trail a whirl as well to check out the Matildaville ruins and the Lock. Meh, that's only so interesting. To do it again, I would just hike River Trail to Ridge Trail to Old Carriage Road. It is much more straightforward and accessible to novice hikers. A couple points of note: This park is really busy, and it is not that large. As such, you really won't have many private moments where you feel alone communing with nature. Another thing to be aware of is that this park is heavily used by trail runners. Even on the River Trail which is pretty rocky, there are runners. They hurry by everyone typically with no announcements, so at times, in tight spaces, you can feel rushed. It is kind of weird. read more

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Great Falls Park is an incredibly enjoyable experience for adults, kids, and four-legged friends. My wife and I go out there all the time (we usually take our dog), and we always have a good time. We've gone up and down almost all the trails in summer, fall, and winter, and it's always beautiful. The park does get a little crowded on nice weekends, but it's big enough that you're not cramped once you get away from the park visitor center. If you're not into hiking, Great Falls Park is still a great place to go just for the views. The trees and other plant life are stunningly beautiful, even on the drive in. There are multiple Potomac River overlook points very close to the visitor center, which are worth the visit by themselves. If you are into hiking, you should enjoy the trails a lot. None of the trails are extremely difficult if you're in good shape, though there are some briefly steep hills on the south side of the park. My wife and I usually spend about two or three hours hiking, but one could conceivably spend all day hiking, depending on the routes taken or the rate of travel. A lot of people bring dogs, including my wife and I, and they always seem to have a good time too. Entrance is $5 per vehicle, but I know people who have gotten in free by going on certain days, times, or parts of the year. My wife and I got a 1-year vehicle pass for $20, which I believe was well worth it (we've probably gone about a dozen times in the last 6 months or so). There's a little concession stand by the visitor center that has hot dogs, pizza slices, and other snacks for fairly reasonable prices. We've gotten food there once or twice, and it wasn't bad. Overall, I highly recommend visiting Great Falls Park if you like nature, or even if you don't. Get out and smell the fresh air, and see the river and the trees. It'll do you good! read more

Government shutdown. We decided to go anyway. The drive to Great Falls is a pretty one, especially during the Fall. The trees are lush and the leaves are turning. We pulled up to the entrance where we saw another car turning back already. There was a cop truck parked blocking the entrance and it was gated off by a yellow tape and government shutdown sign. There was no park official and no cop in sight. We did see a few people walking around the park so we parked the car and got out to see the falls. The map indicated the falls were not too far away. You can, in fact, hear the water running from the entrance. Ah, nature. We checked out the falls from the first overlook. It was a limited view but enough to get the picture. The water moves fast and crashes against the rocks loudly. On this particular day it was misty and gray. Nonetheless, it was still a beautiful. We moved on to check out the other two overlooks only to be met by others who were turning back. We saw the cop car who was telling people to leave. We turned around to go and the cop trailed us to enforce authority. "The park is closed due to the government shutdown. If I have to warn you again to leave, it will be a $500 trespassing fee along with an illegal parking ticket." Bah humbug. "We're leaving, we're leaving." We told the cop. The government shutdown also means no public restrooms. I found two porta potties on site but they were locked up. If you had to go, you'd be SOL. There are a ton of picnic tables available. Once the park reopens, I can picture it being a great spot for a picnic and hiking. From reading the reviews, it sounds like Great Falls is usually bustling with people. Not during the government shutdown. It's pretty desolate and bleak. It could be a scene from The Walking Dead. read more

For review #400 - my favorite outdoorsy place in the DC area (yes, it ranks even higher than Shenandoah!). I wish I had been able to make more trips back here - I never got to do the Billy Goat trail, which sounds like a lot of fun. Definitely recommend for both locals and tourists to come spend at least a few hours here, hiking and viewing the falls. It gets really crowded on nice days with all the families coming to have picnics but as long as I was here before noon I never had a problem with traffic getting in or parking availability. read more

I absolutely love to hike here! I don't care how fit or not fit you are, you can hike around here. It's pretty much flat. Everywhere you go, it's beautiful. If you're into doing historic things, you can take a little trip down the C&O on a little boat. They have people dressed in period clothing and 2 mules that pull the boat. Oh, and you can stamp your National Parks Passport here, and I like that. :) From the website: "Public boat rides are offered during the spring, summer, and fall months. Canal boat rides usually run five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday. Please call the visitor center for specific days and times, or refer to the Canaller for alternative programs. Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center 11710 MacArthur Blvd. Potomac, MD 301-767-3714." You have to see the falls yourself, to truly appreciate how beautiful they are. This is a great place for photographers. If you're really looking to do a nice hike, you can hike down to Angler's Inn, have something to eat, and hike back. We had 2 kids with us (age 10) and they were more than able to handle it. read more

This (around 1,000 acre) park is accessible via VA or MD for a $5 entry fee at the gate, but you can also buy an annual pass and go an unlimited number of times. It's immensely popular for hiking (with provided trail maps at the visitor center), rock climbing, dog walking and picnicking (there are picnic tables and small grills for your use in the picnic area). I've even witnessed a wedding there. It's the DC area's second nature hot spot (about 10 miles from DC) with fantastic views of waterfalls and a gorge on both sides. The MD side has a popular trail for hikers (of moderate difficulty) called The Billy Goat Trail. You can hike on the VA side also, but I consider those trails to be less of a challenge (and therefore, preferred!). read more

Great Falls Park - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

Very pretty as everyone says. Definitely worth the trip; it isn't that far from DC. Insider tip: If you are a big creep like me and like to ogle enormous houses, drive up River Road until you start to feel bad about your one bedroom apartment, then take Falls Road to get in the Maryland side of the park. Mix your nature with opulence for a well-rounded day. read more

It's such a beautiful and relaxing place to be. There is an entrance fee to go in the park. Plenty of parking to utilize. During peak season they have little food place to sell quick food, drinks, and ice creams. Restrooms are little dirty but it is due to the high foot traffic that they get and maybe under staffed? The falls is beautiful. And the hiking down is little scary but worth the effort. People do kayaking there as well. read more

I love coming to Great Falls to relieve some stress! Scenery is breathtaking and the hiking trails are perfect for an adventurous yet not-too-strenuous workout. If you don't like climbing over rocks or being too close to the cliffs, Old Carriage Road is a nice broad and flat trail that is perfect for an easy power walk. This is probably my favorite trail as the air is so fresh and the view and walk is beautiful with all of the surrounding trees. There are bathrooms with running water located in the visitor's center and by the small parking lot at the very right of the entrance booth. No porta potties for this girl! read more