I love going to parks and going on trails . This is a lovely park 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. We enjoyed the views of the beautiful water falls and walking on some of the trails . Great place to have a picnic and chill . Entrance fee per car is 20.00 or you can get a yearly pass for 35.00 which is what we got instead.. read more

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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Straddling the border of Maryland and Virginia, Great Falls Park is a truly fantastic place to visit if you love the great outdoors! The scenery is fantastic, especially if you hike the trails to Olmsted Island. The island, which sits in the middle of the Potomac River, offers the best views of the falls and rapids. Especially in the spring when the weather is cool and the cherry blossoms are in bloom, the views are especially beautiful. This is a place I would highly recommend everybody to go visit if you are in the DC/Maryland/Northern Virginia area! You won't be disappointed! :) read more

Great Falls Park - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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Absolutely stunning! Entrance to the park is $20.00 per vehicle. The price might seem high, but it's valid for a week. Membership is $35 and it's good for a year. I recommend getting here very early or visit during the weekdays. They will close the park if it reaches full capacity, and they usually have to close it every weekend. There are 3 overlooks where you can check out some spectacular views of the Potomac River. It's absolutely breathtaking. The park is 800 acres and there are about 15 miles of hiking trails, some trails are also used for horseback riding. During the hike, there are many spots to enjoy the scenery. Just a great place to enjoy the outdoors, you can jog, have a picnic, do whitewater boating, rock climbing, etc. 5 stars. read more

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The most awesome time I have spent in nature for quite a while! A beautiful drive from Southern Maryland. The admission was $35 for an annual pass and was well worth the money! The pass is issued for two people and allows the pass holder and vehicle with three additional people into the park. Many hiking trails and spectacular views of the falls makes is a wonderful day trip into nature! read more

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Love going to Great Falls especially because of their multiple overlooks that allow you to see the waterfall from different angles and different trails. However, $20 per car as an entrance fee seems like a lot to me. I think it'd be worth it if you were planning to picnic there and make a day of it but for a quick hike, it's a lot. I do like that there are bathrooms and multiple areas for picnics. I saw several groups that looked like they were having parties. Overall a nice place to bring the family and kids. read more

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I go hiking here maybe once a month! There are multiple ways to enter the trails at Great Falls, but I definitely would say that these trails are some of the best trails in the vicinity of the DMV area. Features: - Rocky Trails - Great views of the water - Waterfalls - Many dog-friendly paths - Free entry for military - May have a food truck depending on what side you go to and what time you go. Tip: If you go around 6:30 or 7am to hike on the weekends, you don't need to pay for the $20 car entry fee! This is also a great photography place for nature photos (there's a few smaller streams); however, there is often no reception/cellular here so make sure that you both enter the same address and confirm the location before going. Photos taken by @francoherrera_images. read more

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This was my first time here and it will not be my last. I had been a little stressed and I saw this as a suggestion from the hotel I stayed at. Coming here was so peaceful, it was what I needed! If you have a toddler and bring your stroller, be prepared for a bumpy ride through the trails. My daughter and I did not want to leave. Once we were done, we had some frozen yogurt from Sweet Frog. There was a Sweet Frog truck within walking distance. Also I believe people were outside grilling food and spending time on the grass with family and friends. So if you're not into hiking, bring a lawn chair and a blanket to relax. read more

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This park is so fabulous! I don't know why but there was no one at the gate when we came in (Maybe because it was a Monday?) and the gate just opened! You can use your America the Beautiful pass here as well. Otherwise it is $20/car. So that was good. We took a nice hike with our dog, Tali and when we went to see the Falls one of us stayed behind with the dog. There is an old boat and parts of the path are shady as well. The visitor's center is not open but my local friend gave us the history of the park. I took so many pictures because it was so beautiful. There are many signs that explain what each area's history it! The park is terrific for everyone and it is handicapped accessible. This park is on the VA/MD state border ad it tis on a gorgeous part of the Potomac. You do not feel as if you are near civilization! I would suggest you bring water and sunscreen with you. And wear good hiking shoes or running shoes so you have a good grip! There are some excellent trails including rocky Billy Goat trail. This is such a gem to go to! read more

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It's pretty amazing to have a National Park of this quality in such an urban area. Lots of killer views of the falls and river along 15 miles of hiking trails. Map available at https://www.nps.gov/grfa/planyourvisit/upload/Great-Falls-trail-map.jpg. Lots of history here too, including the Patowmack Canal and the Matildaville ruins. Despite being in an urban area the cell service is spotty. Note that snakes are found throughout Park. But the only venomous snake is the Northern Copperhead. They are not aggressive, but be on the lookout because you can easily step on one by accident due to their camouflage pattern. read more

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Located on the VA side of the falls, the park offers a more gentle experience of the falls than found on the MD side's Billygoat Trail. The visitors center is a bit derelict right now, but the trails and viewing platforms are in good shape. Entrance fees for a single vehicle are $20. Be sure to watch out for closing time and cell phone reception in the park can be spotty. read more

Great Falls Park - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

Fall is my favorite time of year. I visited Great Falls National Park and it was full of all of my favorite things (e.g. fall foliage, puffy white clouds, blue skies and tranquil water sounds. There is a daily fee, weekly fee or yearly fee. You can also opt to buy the yearly National Park Service (NPS) pass which is good for all US National Parks. This park is for all walking/hiking levels and is wheel chair accessible. The park has a restroom as well as concession stand that sells hot food. Both are located at the Visitor Center. If you bring your own food there are plenty of picnic tables. If you like to take pictures there are tons of photo opportunities. There are plenty of signs to let you know where you are, where you might want to go along with historical information. This park is great for all ages and I highly recommend it. read more

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We decided to venture out for a little fun in the great outdoors. This was our first visit to Patowmack Canal/"Camp Crystal Lake" (lol) and it certainly won't be our last. The views are amazing and plentiful, so definitely pack your cameras for great pictures and videos. You'll also want to wear comfortable clothing and footwear to explore the many hiking and walking trails. There's also a large picnic area with tables, grills and ample space for lawn chairs and blankets. Social distancing was in full effect as there's plenty of space to remain {{6}} feet apart, so everyone is able to safely enjoy themselves. **Parking is $20 and good for seven days, so hold on to your receipt. read more

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Nice trail to hike! We were on the MD side. Great scenery of the Potomac River. Unfortunately, we went this afternoon (2/20/21), right after the snow storm. Soooo, it was WICKED cold, breezy, and the trails were extremely slippery. Nevertheless, we still enjoyed the overlooks. Can't wait to visit in the spring/summertime. Would love to hike the VA side. read more

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A beautiful set of falls near DC - worth the trip. Great Falls Park is only about 15 miles north of Washington, DC. This National Park Service location is a very nice park nestled in the heart of nature. It is an 800-acre park that has some great viewing spots for the falls and several trails that follow the river. Their website states, "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. The Patowmack Canal offers a glimpse into the early history of this country. Great Falls Park has many opportunities to explore history and nature, all in a beautiful 800-acre park only 15 miles from the Nation's Capital." Parking has a large lot with over 100 spots. Next to that is a building that was closed for renovation when I visited. There are several overlooks. One of them is fairly easy for most people to navigate but others are very difficult for those with mobility challenges. The walks are also very nice and fairly gradual for some of the path but then follow over rocks where you should be careful of your footing. The park is worth the visit for the views of the falls and walking the peaceful trails on days with lovely weather. Overall, this is a worthwhile visit for people wanting a nice view of the Potomac origins or a relaxing trek through the woods. read more

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Beautiful park! Great Falls Park is on the border of Virginia and Maryland, so you can actually visit this park from both sides/states, as it looks out to the Potomac River and what's left of the Patowmack Canal, the first canal in the U.S. that used locks to raise and lower boats. We visited from the Virginia side. Because it's a National Park site, there is a fee for admission. After you enter, parking is plenty, and the most popular lot is near where the best view of the falls are. There was an observation deck area where you can see the falls. However, there's a nice trail along the falls that's easy to walk along, as it's mostly flat. Along the trail, you can climb the rocks on the edge to get a view of the water and canal. Once you loop around to the more grassy area, you can see where the locks were. Though not in use anymore, you can get a sense of its history here. This was a great park to visit with beautiful views of the Potomac River, and the drive along the historic George Washington Memorial Parkway was a sight in itself. Bathrooms were open when we visited during COVID-19, and it is dog-friendly. read more

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

We heard this was a very popular park so we made it our first stop of the day. It was already hopping a bit, but we only had to wait for a couple of cars before us to enter and had no problem finding parking in the lot. There is an entrance fee, but this park is included in our America the Beautiful pass so we were able to use that here. The entry booth staff were very friendly and welcoming. The visitor's center is currently closed for renovations, but they had a nice table set up with maps and information available (and pre-stamped slips of paper if you are a passport holder), plus a dry erase board that invited interaction. Both the snack bar and the restrooms were open. There's a nice trail that leads you down to the main event - there are three overlooks as you head down it. The first has some huge rocks to climb on/around and a nice view of the falls. There was a particularly popular corner on the farthest side that ended up with a line for photos. The second and third overlooks are both more accessible and have great views too. There is also a very interesting high water marks post at the third one. A huge picnic area with tables is available not far from the visitors center, and there are additional trails if you want to do some more exploring after viewing the wonderful falls! read more

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

Beautiful wooded park on the Potomac River. A lot of walking paths, overlooks and a nice visitor center. Entrance fee was $20.00 for a car of two then $10.00 for additional people. It was a short walk to the overlook for the falls. Quiet a majestic sight. A lot of history here regarding the old canal system for the river. Well worth a visit. read more

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Beautiful park with great view of the falls, the rocks and water and nice hiking trails that aren't too hard for people to enjoy and most importantly very close from the city. 1. Pass needed You pay by car, not by person and I believe it was $30 a year, or $20 for a visit. I got the annual pass. 2. Bathroom Just like any other public parks, have basic restrooms. 3. Not much food option, you should prepare picnic if you want 4. The view - great it has 3 key spots to see. Best time to take a picture with yourself in it will be very early or much later. Otherwise, sun will not be in your favor. 5. The trails I personally like the trail next to the water, you have some obstacles due to the rocks and more interesting. They aren't too long or hard and can easily be enjoyed with kids. read more

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

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Very nice and clean park with a great view of the Great Falls. Lots of sitting areas and walking trails for the family to enjoy. From families picnicking, tour groups visiting the historic falls, or just plain ol exercising. There is always something to do. The people who work at the visitor center were very knowledgeable and willing to answer any question about the park and/or its history. Great Falls Park stays pretty busy and parking can be a bit of a hassle when it comes to find a spot but that was on a weekend visit. The park has two sides (a Virginia and Maryland side) which both have beautiful views. I definitely recommend this park to visit! read more

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Love this quiet oasis! Always looked forward to visiting this area when I'm stressed or just having a crappy day. Listening to the water crash against the rocks and feeling the breeze is so cleansing and peaceful. Great area to have a picnic or hiking; I hope to try the Billy Goat trail with friends one day! read more

Its really great and calm place to chill. It is well maintained venue. You should definitely visit this place if you are a person loves to go to peaceful venues. read more

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Great view to the river with waterfalls. There are 3 different observation points. Nice place for a light hiking on a shadow of trees. $20 per car. read more

Can't believe this is in our back yard! Just stunning and peaceful. But beware of the cyclist they come out of nowhere we bought the season pass so we can discover new sights from the VA and MD sides read more

What: beautiful falls of the Potomac River. Easy 1/2 mile flat walk to the overlook from the parking lot and bathrooms by parking lot are clean. Price: we have an annual card for national parks so that worked out great. Nice as a visitor to go one time, but don't need to go again. read more

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Great place for hiking and picnic. A lot parking places and cool to see the falls from several locations in the park.

Wow just wow! There is a cost to get into the park, $10 per vehicle however they stop charging people 30 minutes prior to close (when I went). If you head to the park closer to closing time, there is a good chance that the visitor center will be closed however you can still walk the trails to see the Potomac River. There is quite a bit of construction towards the beginning of the trails however I did not have any issue moving about the park. Take the Great Falls Trail to cross over bridges to a small island and to see the falls. Seeing the Potomac River in all its glory was fantastic- I went after a rain storm and it is incredible to see the tons of water rushing underneath you as you stand in sturdy bridges. Dogs are not allowed on the Falls trail because there isn't much room and because they can damage the delicate wildlife. When multiple people walk across the bridges they do shake a bit so just be prepared! You can see the Falls from the Maryland side (this park) and from Virginia's side. Some crazy people actually Kayak near this area! If you do be careful! Swimming is not allowed and highly prohibited. read more

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So glad that there is a National Park in the DMV area! I usually go to the Maryland side but this time we decided to visit the Virginia side which is just as pretty. Parking is $20 and I suggest to try coming early since we came on a weekend afternoon and the line was very long to get inside to park. There are clean bathrooms and a small place to buy some food/snacks! Lots of picnic tables for people to use! Beautiful spots for pictures and hiking! We also saw many people walking their super cute dogs so that was a plus (: read more

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Absolutely amazing!! I did not want to leave this beautiful park. It had great views , many trails, and so much scenery. The trails are easily marked and some are easier than others. In some areas of the trail you can climb down or up to get different views of the river and it's very worth it. They also have areas to have picnics and grill. I highly highly recommend to go prepared with snacks and waters if you're not going to have a picnic. I also recommend arriving early,as I was leaving after my 4 hour adventure the line to get in the park was very long. It was only $20 per car so it's definitely a great time with family. read more

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Great Falls Park is a hidden gem! It is known as Virginia's Niagara Falls and for good reason. Gorgeous waterfalls, beautiful trails, rock climbing, simply magnificent! The park is well maintained and there are areas that you can picnic or BBQ. There is a small entrance fee to get in the park and they do get busy during the warmer months, so I would suggest going as early as possible to allow time to get in, as there will likely be traffic backed up. My only advice is to keep a great eye on your children and keep them close. In many areas, this place is not necessarily child friendly and accidents DO and HAVE happened here. Otherwise, it's a great place to spend an entire day in Mother Nature. read more

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Like the friendly rangers and amazing River scenery. Sorry to say there was no time for me to explore entire Potomac Heritage Trail, but did cover 6 miles going N from visitor center (which was closed for Covid). All amazing, mostly flat. Thankfully, not too crowded mid morning on a Sunday in September. read more

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This place is absolutely beautiful! I would definitely recommend visiting it. The natural beauty of the water and everything around it is so amazing. It's hard to not love it. It's so stunning. It's great for exercising as well. You can run or take a walk in this trail. The view is great. There are tourists but locals like to exercise, take their dogs and some also barbecue and have get togethers. There's a small fee when you drive in but besides that it's open to explore. You can stay there as long as they are open. If you've never been, I'd say give it a shot. Nothing compares to this view. 10/10! There's plenty of parking. I think summer might get pretty hectic but you'll eventually be able to find a spot. read more

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11/15/20 After visiting Denny's,  we decided to go for a walk at Great Falls Park.   The day was cloudy,  but there was sunlight for a good amount of time. We decided that we didn't want to wear a mask in crowded areas, so avoided crowded areas all together.  Walking the back trails of the park, was much better, because we met fewer people on the trails and we could avoid them by moving away from them off the path.   There is nothing like fresh oxygen  in a beautiful and deadly area of the walking trail.   I have seen kayakers riding down on the deadly waters. The thrill of conquering  the deadly waters have to be outstanding or people won't do it.  As we walked I thought again about a kayaker I saw riding the Potomac River waters after a bad storm.   It was very illegal and highly dangerous  and very thrilling for the kayaker.  Something the would get him fined if caught, but it left a lasting impression on me just the same.  No matter how the waters are during  normal times, I can only imagine what it would have been like after the storms. I love visiting this park. However,  I did see the prices have gone up.  Gone are the ten dollar fees for two people.  The cost is now $20 dollars for two people, but if you pay $35 dollars, you get a years membership to go to the parks. I think about how I have been to both sides of the falls( Maryland and Virginia) two separate times on the same day.  I hope to do it again. Finally, I enjoyed seeing a different area of  Great Falls this time around.   I have forgotten the name of the area, but I took photos of the place.  We will be back to walk more of the trails next time. read more

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Fun hike along the river. Plenty of people with dogs. Bring some bug sprays, the bats are out! read more

I needed to escape from Maryland for a hot second. I needed to unplug from everything and this was only of the few places that was open despite whats going. The park waived all fees for now. Yay. Because its now $20 to enter the park. My friend and I went to the overlook to wave at others on the MD side. The park was well maintained. Lots of shade which is good when you visit during the summer. Since we were short on time we did a quick hike, because we brought our bikes. The bike trails are nice but more suited for experienced bikers not me. Well definitely return when the weather warms up, maybe even kayak. read more

Nice hiking spot. $20 per car, a little steep but that's what I paid. I paid with a credit card so don't worry about having cash. Got there around 11am so there were plenty of parking spots and plenty available when I got ready to leave. Please bring water to stay hydrated. Visited this place on July 17th and it was a not crowded but I see more people are getting out more. Everyone socially distanced themselves so there were plenty of space to hike without anyone being close to you. You can wait her start on the left or right side and there's a small bridge (no water underneath to cross over). I didn't cross the bridge this time but next time I will. I'm not a hiker but the trails were easy and I went at my own pace. read more

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Great Falls, Va is absolutely a wonderful destination for great views and hiking; however, because of its location it is overrun with tourists. Considering the need for social distancing it was just a little too crowded for me at the falls overlook. Parking at Great Falls was full so we parked at River Bend Park and hiked the path down to great falls. Bathrooms at the GF visitor center were closed; however, port-a-potties are available. read more

Great Falls Park - Great falls Oct 2020 - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

Really nice surprise. Beautiful river overlooks. Trail can be a little challenging in places on the River Trail for the less agile but was fine for young kids who enjoyed the fun of climbing through larger rocks. If it's raining or had rained a lot I can see this being very muddy. Would definitely do again. It's very easy, flat walk to the first overlook and even if you don't want to hike/walk a lot - the first overlook is only minutes from the parking lot and also worth a look. Thumbs up. read more

03.21 Logged 5.5 miles up and down the trail this morning. Not our usual trail but thought we'd switch it up today. A lot more people out today than expected amid Covid 19 craziness. It's nice to see some kind of normalcy after being cooped up for days. We got in around 11:30 and parking was full. We had to park at the last parking area away from the center which was right on the trail up river. Visitor center was closed, bathrooms were open. Rangers were still patrolling and best of all, 20/car fee waived. A good amount of people hiking but by the time we left the crowd has thinned out. The trails are easy, lots of flat grounds with minimal elevation on trail offshoots the farther you go down river. It does get rocky so be careful and watch your steps. read more

Great Falls Park - Beautiful day for a hike. - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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It's my favorite place for walk and meditation Great falls park wonderful place for family hiking and bikes riding. We are enjoying the amazing view there every time! read more

Great Falls Park - Parks Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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