I visited Great Falls NP on a spring-like day on May 30, 2026. This is a fantastic place to enjoy nature on the Virginia side of the Potomac River. What are the pluses? First, the park includes waterfalls, pine trees, granite cliffs, and babbling brooks. Second, the Visitor's Center area has restrooms, staff who can answer questions, and a simple "old-school" ice cream and snack shop. Third, the river trail and waterfall outlooks provide amazing scenery without much effort - just a bit of walking. What more can you ask for? It's $20 per vehicle (for 7 days of use), or if you have an annual national park pass ($80), it's valid here. On the last Saturday of May 2026, it was crowded but parking was still available in the additional parking lot (second one past the visitor center) around 11:50am. read more

Great Falls Park - View of the Maryland side outlook area. - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

Great Falls & National Parks, Oh my!! (US National Parks) worth an Annual Pass Do you like easy walking trails? Beautiful views? A front seat to nature...ducks, frogs eagles and other animals await your visit to Great Falls Park. It's really 2 parks in 1, or is that 1 park cut into 2? Let me explain, Great Falls is a national park that sits in the border of Maryland and Virginia. The trails were relatively easy, in regular sneakers. Apparently, if you get up in the morning you can see an amazing array of wildlife and a huge amount of birds. There's even a man made waterfall, areas to enjoy water sports and fishing. It cost $20 per car, $15 per motorcycle and $10 on foot. It cost $35 for Annual Pass (only for Great Falls Park and C&O Canal National Historical Park). There's also an America the Beautiful--the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, which cost $80 for US residents and citizens. For nonresident it cost $250. There are even a senior citizen resident annual pass for $20 and lifetime resident pass $80. For the cost of a one year annual pass, you can visit many times in a year. It's cheaper than paying each time you go...if you are into physical fitness, trails, nature and the great outdoors. Did you know the US National Parks include a rainforest and a Spanish Fort located in Puerto Rico, a US territory. Yes, for such a small area Washington, DC has 30 National Parks (including historic sites, memorials, and parkways). But wait there's more, The Greater Capital Region (DC, MD and DC) has 86 Parks in total with all parks and sites maintained by the US Parks Department. Are you going to Great Falls or will you hit all the US Parks this summer? Get a pass and get out in nature. read more

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Where else can you pull up, park and walk for two minutes to see spectacular, huge, majestic waterfalls!? Let me know because this place is worth a visit or two. Be careful walking to the overlooks, especially #1, because the rocky ground is definitely not flat. I can barely navigate it and I'm sure others will struggle as much or even more. Take your time and avoid a sprained ankle or worse! The is also a lot of history here if you look for it. The rangers at the visitor center are full of knowledge and are quite willing to explain. The flood marker shows the flood of 1972 when the water level was 85ft above the river! 85 feet!? I was a young kid visiting Washington DC in 1972 and the flood there was massive as well. There was a one mile long canal built on this side of the river, which was eventually overcome by a superior canal built on the other of the river, which was overcome by the invention of the railroad. Now it's trucks. Soon it will be self driving trucks. Goods have to flow and technology keeps advancing... what's next? Life is good with a nice visit to a unique national park. The first time, I walked here from a mile or more upstream. I met and walked with three Catholic priests who subsequently blessed me after our conversations and upon reaching our destination. The second time, I was with my nephew who is hiking the Appalachian Trail! I feel blessed, lucky and alive. read more

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Fantastic way to explore nature with family and friends!! We loved that the park was so easily accessible!! It has a great welcome center and a wonderful gift shop with park rangers and ambassadors there to explain everything to you!! They have all sorts of activities for all ages! And did I say how amazing the views are?!?! Go check it out for yourself and enjoy nature as the perfect prescription for the stress and anxiety!! read more

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Great Falls Park is an excellent outdoors experience for enthusiasts and those simply wanting to get away to enjoy the outdoors. The trails, campgrounds, and overlooks are beautiful. I recommend downloading the app so that you can find activities and download park maps ahead of time since cell service is spotty in the park; so plan accordingly. Entry fees are very reasonable. Price is $10/individual for those arriving on foot and $20/car for individuals traveling in non-commercial cars. There is also a specific price for motorcycles, large groups, and high-occupancy commercial vehicles. There are accessible parking and ramps available. Become familiar with the ways in which to contact emergency personnel on site. Also, if not bringing your own food, know where the visitor centers are which is where you'll be able to purchase food and use the restroom. There are rules to abide by here, so you'll need to understand what those are. Enjoy yourself, but please be careful near shore areas and white water. Also, feeding the wildlife, unleashed pets, and wood fires are prohibited. Otherwise, enjoy this beautiful and tranquil park. read more

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The Riverwalk Trail was the most scenic with many different detours you can take to get closer to the water. It is very dog friendly as long as your dog is on a leash. There wasn't any issues with parking in the winter, but during the spring/summer, it will get difficult to get parking in the first lot if you come later in the day. You will not have cell service in parking lot! On to my next adventure... read more

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First time here. As a visitor from SoCal, its hard for me to find something this cool close to me. We walked about 2 miles to get to the falls and it was amazing. The park is perfect for a peaceful walk or even a run. I saw lots of people jogging, running and biking. There are lots of trails along the way too if you are the hiking type. There are many viewpoints of the waterfall. Definitely get your cameras ready because its photo worthy. I'll definitely be coming back next time I'm in town. read more

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I really enjoyed this trail. It's easy to get to, there was parking available. It gets pretty crowded on the weekends. Beautiful well maintained trails. Lots of trails, some more moderate and easy gravel trails at well. Great for all ages and levels. read more

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While visiting from California, a friend picked me up from the airport and took me straight to First Watch for breakfast then off we went to Great Falls Park. What a beautiful experience! We only walked about 2 miles, but every step was worth it. The park is perfect for a peaceful walk or even a refreshing run. There are three different viewpoints of the waterfall, and each one is absolutely spectacular . The scenery is breathtaking and calming at the same time. My friend even brought along a nature book game, which made the visit extra fun and meaningful. I truly wish I had more time to explore further. I'll definitely be coming back next time I'm in Virginia! read more

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A gorgeous hiking spot that is surprisingly close to DC. A great variety of trails for different skill sets, and fantastic views of the water and nature. Parking was a breeze, and it didn't seem too crowded for the time of year that we went. read more

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With an open afternoon, my friends and I made the truck to Great Falls national Park in McLean, Virginia. Firstly, be aware that there is a traffic detour due to construction in the area on 495 and exiting on Georgetown Pike. So what you think is a 6 -10 mile ride may take you close to an hour. Once you arrive, be aware that there is a $20 per car charge. We could have bought an annual pass, but we just didn't think of it at the time. We parked near the visitor center and made the short three to two different lookout spots. These areas are very rocky so I advise wearing solid walking shoes or lace up trainers. If you are unsure of your footing, pick up a pack of retractable walking sticks, at a big box store before you arrive. The views are beautiful, and I only wish we had had more time to explore the area. We visited on weekday and at 1:45 when we exited 495 onto Georgetown Pike towards the park, the traffic going in the opposite direction was pretty severe, so be prepared for a very early or all afternoon rush-hour and plan for extra time in the park and driving to and from the park. read more

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Such a lovely spot to enjoy nature just outside of DC. The falls were pretty muddy from all the rain but absolutely breathtaking and you can hear the roar of the falls when you step out of your vehicle. 12 miles of hiking and biking trails. It was not busy at all today but we heard on nice weekends it's so packed you have to wait for hours to get in. Definitely worth the drive for us. It's $20 for a weeks pass per vehicle. There's a visitors center with lots of info about the falls (if you have the US Passport for the National Parks get your stamp) and even a little snack bar. Restrooms were clean and air conditioned! There's a Maryland side and a Virginia side. We only made it to the Virginia side. The first overlook is not handicap accessible but overlook #2 and 3 are. I think 2 has a better view but the park says 3 does. Try all 3 it's a short walk and choose for yourself! read more

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Great Falls Park outside of Washington D.C. is a beautiful place to take long walks while enjoying stunning views. The park is well-maintained, clean, and offers numerous scenic overlooks that make every step worthwhile. read more

Great Falls Park - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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My partner and I had a wonderful time at Great Falls Park (the Virginian side). It's a great place for a quick 1/2 day (or even less) getaway with some nice sights. The fee is $20 per car (I think it's $10 for bike), which I thought was a little pricey for one visit. However, if you are local to the area, it might be in your best interest to get a annual pass for about $35. This will allow you to fully explore the area on multiple occasions. I guess you technically will make back your money during the second visit...I hope that's the case since I purchased the annual pass, I thou There are three viewing areas to see the falls, which are about a five-minute walk from the first parking lot. These site are pretty accessible for folks of all physical levels. Speaking of parking, it's highly recommended to go early in the day or during a weekday, because parking fills up pretty fast. We arrived around 11 am on a cloudy, 48F Sunday, and the 1st parking lot was about 98% full. Unfortunately, I do not know if there is a way to check what's going on with the parking situation prior to arriving to the park. As of April 2024, the visitor center was closed, but the bathrooms were operational. However, there is a small concession area that sells small food items like pizza, hot dogs, and soft drinks. Be aware that cell phone reception is VERY spotty in this area, so be sure to download anything you might need (e.g., park passes, tunes for your hike, directions, etc.). read more

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There's a Maryland and Virginia side to Great Falls and I prefer the Maryland side. However, I recently decided to revisit the Virginia side. About a 30-minute drive (it's not accessible via public transit) from D.C., there's a large parking lot after you pay the $20 entrance fee. (It's free for National Park pass holders.) Just a few minutes from the parking lot is the educational center and a path leading to three clearly marked overlooks of the rapids. There are restrooms in the center. Keep right for the River Trail that takes hikers and rock climbers along the Potomac River with many lookout areas. This part of the trail is not stroller friendly but pretty easy for most. Leashed dogs are welcome. read more

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Beautiful hiking spot! I was fortunate to go at a good time. It's rare the river is raging. Due to the rain some trails were cut off but it was great to see the river flowing so rapidly. I'm very happy I made the trek there from Reston. Great nature walk to start my morning. read more

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Fun for the whole family! It's got a great bang for your buck and is accessible to everyone of all ages. There is a gate fee of $20 which makes this trip less casual but still an amazing place to go if you want a half day trip with your family. The parking lot was busy but we still got a spot quickly. You walk maybe 30 minutes to the very end and pass a lot of cool sights along the way. There's a couple exhibits and visitors center if you're into a tiny museum experience as well. read more

Great Falls Park - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

Great place for a stroll or hike and to take in the scenery. The restrooms seem to always be down or having issues so keep that in mind when planning your trip. The first view point is probably the best one in my opinion with a great view of the falls. May be difficult for handicap or walking disabilities. Parking gets crowded, but it's a popular place for the area. Enjoy seeing the kayakers! read more

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DO go chasing waterfalls... and Great Falls Park is a tremendous place to chase! Thirty minutes outside of the city, it's an easy and scenic trail that's fine for kids, dogs, people who overdid it at brunch earlier in the day, anyone... But if that's too much, you can still stick to the rivers, as the Potomac is the genesis of those falls. So you can have it your way, and not have to settle for nothing at all. read more

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This is more of a casual walk type of place. There's 3 designated lookout spots with great views of the falls. Great day with nice weather when I went! read more

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Excellent park for hiking and sightseeing. Scenic views of the river and the waterfalls. Numerous long trails to explore. Dog friendly. read more

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I came here initially on the Maryland side then after exploring drove over to the Virginia side. My photos detail the differences but I would recommend more hike-y like hikes through Maryland and more casual walks + a better scenic view (in my opinion) through Virginia. Parking is $20 per vehicle (lasts 1 week), they do accept the national park pass, I purchased a $35 one year pass for this park as I intend to return in the Spring for a hike + birding. The pass lasts 12 months from the END of the month you purchase in. I bought my pass Nov 5th 2024 so it will expire Nov 30th 2025 so I would recommend going toward the beginning of a month if you plan to buy the 1 year pass so you can get slightly more than a year. The visitor center is closed on both states side until Jan 2025 per their website however if you are a stamp collector, they do have the MD Great Falls National Park Stamp available upon request at the pay station on the MD side!! Parking is easily accessible but of course this is popular so I'd recommend coming earlier in the day especially if you go on a weekend. Maryland side: after entering and parking, turn left and proceed past the visitors center. There is a clean restroom facility here. Then cross over the bridge and walk straight ahead to see signage directing you to the Great Falls overlook. Currently (Nov 2024) the Billy Goat trail that I was interested in is closed, I will coming back in the Spring to hike here. You can also walk down an open well traveled path to get some steps in nearby the river. Virginia Side: after entering and parking, proceed past the visitors center under the artificial bridge. There are signs directing you to 3 outlooks, 1-3. Outlook 1 comes up almost immediately on the lefthand side of the path and is a rock section you have to climb up to see the views but this was my favorite view of all. Outlook 2 and 3 direct you to the same spot so maybe I just never found outlook 3? But this view is nice as well. read more

It was such a lovely place to spend the day in the woods! I adored the views from off the trail, and the waterfalls were just breathtaking. I always love visiting. Just a little tip: it cost me $40 since I didn't know there was an entrance fee, so try carpooling if you have lots of friends joining you! read more

Great Falls Park - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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Great falls is not a vacation destination National Park in the vein of a Yellowstone or Grand Canyon instead it is a park run by NPS. Your NPS pass still gets you in and if you are in the area it is a fantastic way to spend a morning. There are a few easy trails and the falls are really cool. Again don't think of this as going to Shenandoah instead think of it as a five star way to spend a couple hours in nature. read more

Great Falls Park - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

Who knew there is a lovely National Park just west of Washington DC? There are even small water falls at this park. Unfortunately, the visitor center was closed on a Thursday, June 15, 2023. We visited the Virginia side of the Potomac. It is so close to our nation's capital, but so far from the action in DC. A wonderful escape from politics. read more

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Great Falls National Park October 2023 One of our most epic adventures in Virginia is the Great Falls National Park. This 800 acre park has spectacular views of waterfalls, 15 miles of hiking trails, and peaceful meditation areas on cliffs and viewing areas throughout the park. Hiking shoes and boots are a must if you plan to walk on the more challenging trails over boulders and such. Very beautiful, peaceful, and extraordinary views of the Potomac River and Great Falls. This is definitely a must go see place for nature lovers and a destination worth seeing for travelers. It has mind blowing gorgeous scenery, rolling rapids, picnic areas. and miles of nature to venture through for hours. Military ID gets you a free pass inside the park. Usual park fee for a car to enter is $20. There are maps to pick up and restrooms at the visitor center. This place is on my top ten list of places to see in the Washington DC area. read more

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This park is absolutely stunning and such a delightful surprise. I rolled in around 10:30am on a Sunday morning, and was pleasantly surprised to find it not terribly crowded. The overlooks and hike options are super easy to figure out with no prior planning. The visitor center is closed right now but there's still restrooms available. This park sits on the VA / Maryland state border and on a really beautiful part of the Potomac, where it almost seems like you've been transported to a different world. Entrance fee is $20 and well-worth it no matter how much time you have to explore. Would love to go again and check out more of the hiking trails! Looking forward to the next time I get to visit. read more

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A gorgeous and peaceful park that incentivized carpooling, biking and walking. After going past the winding trees, we drove into a booth that charged $20 per vehicle, $15 per motorcycle and $10 per cyclist or pedestrian. I found the park specific annual pass to be a bargain since the attraction was worth returning to so the cost would pay itself back. Despite going on a Sunday, the park wasn't too crowded with plenty of parking near the entrance. The park was pet friendly and the main attraction was wheelchair and stroller accessible. However, the waterfalls didn't allow pets to preserve the ecological integrity. Other parts of the park were welcoming towards pets so fret not if you wanted to bring your furry buddy for a good walk. =TIPS= *Eat or drink prior: during our visit, there was an ice cream truck available but nothing was available to purchase otherwise. *Bring water and sunscreen: some trails had shade but some were one-way with long stretches of sun. *Wear shoes you don't mind getting dirty: if walking the river trail, the grounds were very muddy and slippery so stable and old shoes were best. *Ask the guides for help: although there was a visitor center with maps, we struggled to interpret the paths and relative difficulty. We were informed about a hidden river trail to the right of the entrance that suited our preferences more than the one way, rocky Billy Goat trail. *Use the restroom prior: the restrooms weren't dirty but didn't smell the greatest. The river trail was incredibly peaceful and covered in forestation. We got close to the river that was rather still in comparison to the rapid falls. On the main trail, there were ponds, old boats, and ducks to keep us entertained. The main attraction was a collection of small waterfalls accessible by bridges. They weren't the largest but the proximity and cleanliness of the park made the experience serene. Overall the park was family friendly and the trails were relatively flat that it was easy for beginners. read more

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A short ride from DC, the Virginia side of the park has a wonderful view of the falls and hiking trails. (The Maryland side has more of the river to walk over via a trail with several bridges that brings one over the water chutes). Wear appropriate footwear. read more

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From the VA side, it is much more accessible. Gorgeous views right up front with minimum walking (see photos). There are a few long trails that go alongside the river. Pretty casual, not intense like the Maryland side. The VA side is definitely the way to go if you want a casual stroll, bringing kids, walking pets. There is an entrance fee of $20 per car though. But you do get a spot in a parking lot. There is also a visitor center with restrooms and light refreshments. Though sometimes it is closed. Coming out of the parking lot there are some picnic/barbeque spots too. read more

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The Virginia side of the Great Falls has several over-looks for different views of the Falls. There are plenty of areas to have a picnic as a group or as an individual/couple with shade/sun and views of the water. The Park is well-maintained with restrooms and a place to grab snacks, and refill water bottles. The Visitor Center is closed for renovations? Plenty of Parking and when we there several Park Rangers could be seen walking groups throughout the area. There are several trails in the area, we did the one that runs along the river and then loops back to main area. The trail was well-marked and clear enough to walk without issue. The Wildlife was in abundance with sightings of small birds, squirrels, and lucky enough to see a Barred Owl off the trail and an American Bald Eagle soaring over the Falls. On beautiful days go early as the Entrance Gate (Fee Station) can get backed up. One of our new Favorites, and right outside the DC Area so well worth the trip. read more

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Beautiful and worth the walk. It was so calming and relaxing. I'm so glad that when were walking that we kept going past the initial falls. When you keep going the falls in the back are mind blowing!!! I just stared at them for the longest time. They also seem fake because of their majestic features. There was a lot more of the trail that I didn't get to but I would definitely come back. Their is also a lot of history connected to the falls so if you are into that then check this place out read more

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Lovely spot and so scenic! $20 every per standard car which is good for the week. Area to view the falls is an easy walk (I'm not calling it a hike it's *just* that easy.) Take your parents, take your kids, significant other or your friends. Everyone is out and many have their pups too! I even noticed a food truck. There are picnic tables! There's a visitor's center in case you need more background on the area's history. Open until sunset. read more

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What a beautiful place to visit. We visited on 8-4-23 (Friday) and found dear grazing. read more

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This is a wonderful option. As an outdoorsman, I feel quite at home here. Yes the gate fee is a bit much. Yet if you bring enough people, it can be divided up. Lots of nice trails, views, and wildlife. As a fan of birds and snakes, this has both of them. Local stargazers know that this is probably among the best in the DC area. Parking is a cinch. My advice is bring a picnic lunch. This is that type of spot. Lots of views that'll be loved by all. Family friendly and good for people of all ages. You'll definitely have a wonderful time here. read more

Beautiful place to walk and hike while enjoying nature. On the Virginia side, there are several trails along the river; two of them are handicap-accessible, including two of the viewpoints where you can see the waterfalls. Most of the trails are shady. There are places to hike and rook climb if you are into that; we climbed down to the river level on one part of the trail and didn't find it too hard for intermediate hikers, but it's good to have your hands free and go down slowly. There were National Park Service employees stationed around the park to answer questions, provide directions, and offer educational programming. Loved the views of the river and the gorge, and that we could enter using our park pass. read more

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This park was actually at capacity when we arrived- we had driven out of the city just to visit and kept going down the road to have a late lunch, kill time and hope we could get in after a few hours. Luck paid off and they were open when we came by a couple hours later. Love my National Parks Pass just for parks like this! 1. They were crazy busy!!! Like- so. many. people. And those people do not care if they invade your bubble to take the perfect selfie or push their kids up ahead of you to see the falls. 2. The falls and rapids are fabulous! With three great lookout points they give you a safe view of the run. We could see another park on the other side of the river, in Maryland. 3. I loved that it was accessible too. They had ramps everywhere there were stairs. So- be warned, too many people, but also enjoy the 5 stars of nature read more

Visited great falls Va side for a nice Sunday hike. Haven't been here a while but always nice to come back once a while. We did the trail to the right off the gate for a while which is a bit further than the most crowded area. Mostly flat trail but shaded and a just a slight hike on some hidden path nothing too overwhelming. Afterward walked over and ended with a little small creek by a small bridge passed the visitor center. Nice relaxing hiking with the doggies and let them cool off on a hot day. Visitor parking is $20 per day and annual $35 for both md/Va side but I went ahead and purchase the annual $80 for all national parks around the US. I know we'll be visiting a few others within the year, so why not?! :) read more

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My husband and I were trying to find something new to do, especially since we are new residents in the DMV. We came to great falls park and loved it . The views specifically combined with hiking made for a perfect day.. It was a lot of fun and relaxing read more

Great Falls Park - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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Super, SUPER crowded and very touristy, so if this is your thing, go for it. On a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon (such as today), literally everyone, their moms, and dogs are here. There's public bathrooms, picnic tables, grills, and tons of open space for you to hang out with family and friends. There's even a vending machine if you get hungry, lol. Also, it costs $20 to park ($35 for an annual pass). There are lots of trails here (which is awesome), but my friend and I decided to try the "River Trail" today. It's a 5 mile loop, and if we came here earlier, we'd definitely do the whole thing. We went through ~1.5 miles of the loop before turning backwards. Once you get through about a mile of this trail, you'll notice that there are less and less people and a little gate that opens to more of a hiking trail (some elevation changes and the path becomes a bit more challenging). Overall, it's more of a walk and less of a hike since I didn't really feel much of an elevation increase. However, a good amount of the path is pretty rocky (where you have to step on rocks and stones), so definitely wear appropriate shoes. There were quite a few overlooks to take some scenic photos. The views were pretty, but they all looked the same after a while. I probably wouldn't pay $20 to just take a walk/hike here since there are other trails with much less people (and doesn't cost money). Nevertheless, this is a great place to spend some quality time outdoors for a picnic or something. read more

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