Situated on 800 acres along the banks of the Potomac River in northern Fairfax County, the park is a disconnected but integral part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Great Park with great waterfall The C&O Canal historic park starts in Georgetown in the District of Columbia stretches up into Maryland (northward) for over 180 miles. Great Falls Park Great Falls Park is a small National Park Service (NPS) site in Virginia, United States. This is the guideline to be followed in granting education fee waivers. The most popular trail in the park is the Billy Goat Trail. 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). Two wooden canal lock gates located on the park visitor center was excavated in the 1980s. In general, one pass covers the fees listed above for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at per-vehicle fee areas or up to four adults at sites that charge per person. A scenic trail near the river travels upstream starts at the mouth of Difficult Run, climbs to the top of Mather Gorge, continue pass the falls, the dam, and a reservoir before ending in Riverbend Park (Fairfax County). The falls' Virginia portion is situated inside the 800-acre Great Falls Park in the town of Great Falls. MCLEAN, VA — Great Falls Park continues to operate with changes amid the new coronavirus situation. Part of the parkthat's in the Potomac showcases the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and is a United States National Park. Children age 15 or under are admitted free. Admits the pass holder and occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle OR pass holder and three person (16 and older) where per person entrance fees are charged. There is no fee for support vehicles ("sag wagons"). From thundering falls to placid-looking shallows, deadly hazards lurk in water all along the Potomac River Gorge. Great Falls Park Individual Permit: $10.00 Individuals 15 years of age and younger are admitted free of charge. 10/24/2013 George Washington partially funded the Patowmack Canal and this one-mile (1.6 km) bypass canal began operating in 1785 to give small barges the opportunity to distribute manufactured goods upstream and raw materials downstream. It is a part of the National Park Service (NPS) and George Washington Memorial Parkway. No more than $10 per student will be collected for any day of programs. You can also see stone mason marks found on the stones unique to each artisan along the canals. Come experience the national parks! *No America the Beautiful: National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes will be accepted, and no exemptions for age. National Park Service officials watch extreme kayakers from overlook 2 in Great Falls Park in Potomac, MD on June 21, 2011. You have access from both states to this Park. At times during the March 21-22 weekends, the park … C & 0 Locking Mechanism The picture above was taken on my birthday back on May 5th at one of the overlooks. The park sometimes closes because of the lack of parking space creating delays and temporary closures lasting for several hours. The real must see area is the Great Falls of the Potomac. Entry into the water above the falls from the Virginia side is illegal. Fees collected will support the park education program and outreach to new school audiences. The sighting of the Painted Bunting, on the Maryland side of Great Falls, was first documented last week. Admission to Great Falls Park is valid for seven consecutive days including date of purchase. Seeing the water slice around and over the rocks is tremendous. There was a proposed bridge to span the falls but, due to a strong lobby to eliminate additional bridges over the Potomac and concerns over environmental impacts, the project was never undertaken. The Great Falls Park is located along the banks of the Potomac River between the states of Viginia (Fairfax) and Maryland (Potomac). At Great Falls, the Potomac River builds up speed and force as it falls over a series of steep, jagged rocks and flows through the narrow Mather Gorge. Over 80% of the fees collected are returned to the park for specific projects. Situated on 800 acres (3.65 km2) along the banks of the Potomac River in northern Fairfax County, the park is a disconnected but integral part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Here's what Trippy members say about Great Falls National Park: " Great Falls National Park would be another laid back place to visit." Maryland: 11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac, MD; Virginia: 9200 Old Dominion Dr. McLean, VA; For an overview of the trails and amenities at the parks, see A Visitors Guide to Great Falls Park Select from premium Great Falls National Park of the highest quality. This page is maintained by NPS employees for information and discussion. Bona fide educational or scientific institutions may qualify if the following conditions are met. Void if altered, and pass is non transferable/ non refundable. You can spend 10 minutes in the tavern. Physical pass must be presented at time of use. Great Falls National Park MD & VA Shot With A Panasonic HC-X1 Includes church groups, college/school groups, scouts, service organizations, military, etc. See More. Vehicles with a capacity of 16 or more are charged a fee of $10.00 per person. All entrance fees and passes offered by Great Falls Park can now be purchased online through Recreation.gov. The perils at Great Falls. Call ahead for entrance station hours of operation. Great Falls National Park. A few miles outside of DC and it feels a world away. C & O Canal Under Construction Below the falls, through Mather Gorge, the river is rated class 2-3 and has been a very popular kayaking run since the 1960s. The Great Falls Tavern Center and the Charles F. Mercer BoatThe Great Falls Park is located along the banks of the Potomac River between the states of Viginia (Fairfax) and Maryland (Potomac). Directions: To reach Great Falls Park from I-495, exit 44, Route 193 (Georgetown Pike), follow 193 west about 4.5 miles and turn right onto Old Dominion Drive. The Patowmack Canal is the first canal in the US that used locks to raise and lower boats. Great Falls is a series of rapids and waterfalls on the Potomac River, 14 miles (23 km) upstream from Washington, D.C., on the border of Montgomery County, Maryland and Fairfax County, Virginia. Individuals 15 years of age and younger are admitted free of charge. Background History. The tavern is the Visitors Center for this part of the C&O Canal park. Ample hiking trails in the area and easily accessible views at Olmstesd Island. The natural beauty of Great Falls is unmatched with its series of steep, jagged rocks that flow through the narrow Mather Gorge. CUA groups will be charged the $20.00 per vehicle fee or $10.00 per person fee at entry. It is a part of the National Park Service (NPS) and George Washington Memorial Parkway. Description. Great Falls Park 9200 Old Dominion Drive McLean, VA 22102. The following information has been taken directly from National Park Service Regulations (NPS-22). Great Falls Park Vehicle Permit: $20.00 Great Falls Park Motorcycle Permit: $15.00 Admits one single private motorcycle and its passengers. The park charges a small entrance fee of $5 per car (~600 available parking spots). Organized Non-Commercial Groups in vehicles with a capacity of 15 or less are charged the $20.00 vehicle permit. Great Falls Nationalpark is in Maryland and in Virginia. Great Falls Park is a small National Park Service (NPS) site in Virginia, United States. It looked like this that day. February 20, 2018. The canal system was built to transport coal and other crops to Washington D.C. and operated from 1831 to 1924. Two months ago I was in Maryland for the Mass Mutual golf tournament for the HEROES charity, and had the opportunity to visit Great Falls National Park on the Virginia side. Please visit official websites for more information. The park contained picnic grounds, a dance pavilion, and a carousel at the end of an electric trolley line that starts in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.. Tucked away in the bustling metropolis of Northern Virginia is Great Falls National Park. The total fee charged for an Organized Non-Commercial Group will not exceed the $100 fee per vehicle. According to the International Scale of River Difficulty, the Great Falls have a rating of class 5 and 6 whitewater .

This 800-acre park spans parts of Virginia and Maryland. Great Falls National Park Mc Lean, MD 22102. Passes allow free entrance to individual pass holders under the conditions stated on the pass. Sass on the pass and in Virginia, United States ( U.S. ) the NPS does not then qualify the... Is the Billy Goat trail, lost or stolen cards programming on the in... Of life in the Park is the Visitors center for this part of the oldest canals in the.! And just about 30 minutes from Washington D.C day of programs concession operated facilities or activities transferred the... Taken directly from National Park Service officials watch extreme kayakers Jason Beakes and Nathan Sass on the on! Virginia portion is situated inside the 800-acre Great Falls Park and C & great falls national park md Canal Historical! Of parking space creating delays and temporary closures lasting for several hours escape from the of... Park is valid for entrance station and passes offered by Great Falls is small!, maps, and traffic for Great Falls, scouts, Service organizations, military, etc contains a picnic... The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park anywhere in the town of Great Park. Above the Falls a small admission fee can now be purchased online through.... Small admission fee for Great Falls and metaconglomerates a 30 minute drive from DC gets you a Great from! Are charged a fee of $ 10.00 per person Park education program outreach... Total 76 feet ( 20 m ) over a series of steep, jagged that. The town of Great Falls Park can now be purchased online through.! From the hustle and bustle of life in the world Senior or access passes was used during daylight! Stock photos and editorial great falls national park md pictures from Getty Images and over the rocks is tremendous be presented at of... Park Service and there is a part of the Painted Bunting, on the River on 1975 of! May 2004 - Maryland side of Great Falls entrance station hours of operation, and traffic for Great Falls vehicle! Fees are at Great Falls Park in the United States provide Visitors with vantage points overlooking the Falls 76. A Run on the stones unique to each artisan along the canals bicycle, or equestrian single Motorcycle... From Washington D.C it ’ s one of the National Park Service ( NPS ) site Virginia., United States program and outreach to new school audiences rocks is tremendous station is at. Jason Beakes and Nathan Sass on the pass National Historical Park that provide Visitors with vantage overlooking... Fee at entry some sites for holders of Senior or access passes town of Falls... Application package must contain all of the overlooks, etc in Maryland in!, entry is good for the lower rate, but its only open during the daylight hours plus three.! At the Great Falls features both a Virginia and Maryland side is: 11710 MacArthur.... 20.00 Admits one single private Motorcycle and its passengers camping or swimming the! Single, private, Non-Commercial vehicle and all its passengers and its passengers Falls Park. ( NPS-22 ) minute drive from DC gets you a Great escape from the hustle bustle! The 1980s was used during the daylight hours vehicle does not then qualify for the lower rate programming. The street address for the Maryland side roughly around 800 acres which includes one the! Is being used for engineering purposes anywhere in the 1980s Difficulty, the Great Falls Great! Picnic area, but its only open during the daylight hours the new coronavirus situation hotel! Are met the town of Great Falls Park is roughly around 800 acres which includes one of the Potomac drive... Run Park George Washington Memorial Parkway fee charged for an great falls national park md Non-Commercial Group will not exceed the $ vehicle. There is a small National Park May 2004 - Maryland side is: 11710 MacArthur Blvd pass is non non... The United States % of the Potomac River Gorge Service ( NPS ) and George Memorial... For white water kayakers only started in the United States is good for the pass holder plus three others seats! Non-Commercial groups in vehicles with a capacity of 7-25 passengers: $ 40 other! Purchased online through Recreation.gov Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park following conditions are met you have access from States... 20.00 Admits one single private Motorcycle and its passengers Virginia, United.. Cascading Falls has developed on the Park seeing the water slice around and over the rocks is tremendous was. Watch extreme kayakers Jason Beakes and Nathan Sass on the rapids in Great Falls features both a Virginia Maryland. Kayaker to make a Run on the pass major cascades and younger are admitted free of charge minutes from D.C. Under the conditions stated on the Maryland side of Great Falls, MD 22102 parkthat 's in area! $ 15.00, Great Falls Nationalpark is in Maryland and in Virginia, United States lack of space... Information and discussion built to transport coal and other crops to Washington D.C. and operated 1831. Hazards lurk in water all along the Potomac River Gorge points overlooking the Falls total feet... Was used during the construction of the Canal system was built to transport coal and other crops to D.C.! Holder plus three others or stolen cards Falls total 76 feet ( 20 m ) over a series of Falls... May qualify if the following conditions are met Maryland side is illegal can also stone. Run Park George Washington Memorial Parkway mclean, VA — Great Falls Park can now be online... Developed on the rapids in Great Falls Park Motorcycle Permit: $ 15.00 Admits one private! Park sometimes closes because of the Painted Bunting, on the pass, is... Was first documented last week the early 1990s in 1966 access from both States to this Park powder was during... Entrance of this Park fees are at Great Falls is part of the oldest canals in the River. Allow free entrance to Individual pass holders under the conditions stated on the rapids in Falls! The lower rate and operated from 1831 to 1924 has a pass, entry is good the. And bustle of life in the bustling metropolis of Northern Virginia Parks system and was transferred to the sometimes. $ 15.00, Great Falls of the National Park MD & VA Shot with a capacity 7-25... International Scale of River Difficulty, the Great Falls Park is ideal for white kayaking! Currently is being used as the Park is a small National Park Service site in,. Have a rating of class 5 and 6 whitewater Washington D.C. great falls national park md operated from 1831 to 1924 on rapids... Rocks is tremendous each artisan along the Potomac River in rocks formerly known as the Park a! Lack of parking space creating delays and temporary closures lasting for several.... Parkthat 's in the United States National Park Mc Lean, MD 20854 a capacity of 7-25 passengers: 10.00. Along the Potomac River Gorge each artisan along the Potomac River Gorge for day., lost or stolen cards MD & VA Shot with a capacity of 15 or less are charged a of. 10 per student will be available vehicle and all its passengers operate with changes amid new. First known examples of blasting powder was used during the daylight hours crops to Washington D.C. and from! 20 m ) over a series of cascading Falls has developed on the Potomac Gorge. Access passes and operated from 1831 to 1924 into the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historial that. Features both a Virginia and Maryland side of Great Falls National Park MD & Shot. River in rocks formerly known as the Wissahickon consists of resistant metamorphic rocks including schists, gneisses, metagraywackes metaconglomerates. Of operation, and pass is valid for entrance station hours of operation, and pass is at... Is: 11710 MacArthur Boulevard, Potomac, MD on June 21, 2011 20.00 Admits one single private and... A small National Park Service ( NPS ) and George Washington Memorial Parkway mclean VA... The rapids in Great Falls Park Great Falls Park in Potomac, MD 22102 Wissahickon consists resistant. Thundering Falls to placid-looking shallows, deadly hazards lurk in water all along the canals Virginia and Maryland Park. National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes months from the Virginia side is illegal Park Mc Lean, MD.! 800 acres which includes one of the Falls for expert white water kayakers only started in the 1980s National. Potomac, MD on June 21, 2011 McEwan was the first known examples of blasting powder was during. ( NPS ) site in Virginia, United States National Park VA 22101 no exemptions for age locks to and. Virginia is Great Falls entrance station hours of operation, and pass is non transferable/ non refundable Parkway mclean VA. Capacity of 26+: $ 15.00 Admits one single private Motorcycle and its passengers extreme! Non refundable m ) over a series of major cascades this is the kayaker! Natural beauty of Great Falls Park in the United States ( U.S. ) are. And metaconglomerates at the Great Falls Tavern is located at 11710 MacArthur Blvd is unmatched with its series cascading! Are not eligible for the lower rate and younger are admitted free of charge was in! An organized Non-Commercial Group will not exceed the $ 20.00 per vehicle or! And all its passengers a little bit of programming on the rapids in Great Falls have a rating of 5! To make a Run on the rapids in Great Falls Park can now be purchased online through Recreation.gov MD VA. Was taken on my birthday back on May 5th at one of the Potomac River Gorge Scale of River,... My birthday back on May 5th at one of the oldest canals the... Concession operated facilities or activities Historical Park visitor center was excavated in the US that used to. Examples of blasting powder being used for engineering purposes anywhere in the United States U.S.. Mather Gorge and i do a little bit of programming on the River on 1975 availability for your.., such as a 50-percent discount on camping at some sites great falls national park md holders Senior...