Grading on the curve of "it's in Maryland", this is a fantastic trail!…read more If this were west of the rockies though, it would be A-OK. There is one tiny section where you actually have to scramble. The rest of it is pretty much a moderate hike with some lite route-finding. We saw multiple snakes on the way in, which were the highlight. Definitely worth doing if you're in the area, but probably not worth a dedicated trip if you're in DC proper.

Not a reflection of the trail as a whole, but when I stopped back on this occasion I was dismayed…read more It was one thing during the peak of the COVID era when there were signs up saying this trail was to be undertaken in one direction only. People were throwing around all sorts of silly rules out of desperation in those days. I doubt any lives were saved by this; maybe the theory was to reduce human contact but realistically, we're talking about hiking in open air. Public health aside, I return to find even now there are still signs saying to take the trail one way. And having done it both ways many times, it's the wrong way! Absurd. Supposedly there's some justification, but I think that grown adults can figure out how to hike in two directions without running into each other. As an overall natural resource, it remains a gem (though it must be noted that the Billy Goat B trail downstream is currently closed due to damage). But whoever is making these stupid rules shouldn't be in the business of making rules at all. Thankfully some rebels were taking the trail in the northernly direction, as well they should.

Nice community resource. Came to watch one of my grandkin playing basket ball. The building is…read moreaccessible. Parking is ample. Place is clean. Staff is friendly. Not a huge array of activities and not a huge facility, but plenty enough options for a nice community recreation center. #MyRockville

A nice community center! Who can beat community centers? They have nice facilities and its good to…read moreget out of the house during the pandemic.

This climbing spot is more than that. The Billy Goat Trail goes through it passing stunning rock…read moreformations that bleed into the Potomac River. There's a large parking lot with restrooms, drinking fountains, and clear signage. It's also close to many other things to do in the area like Lockhouse 10, Glen Echo, and more.

I love the Canal Tow Path. I have run along it a couple dozen times. I usually enter in Georgetown…read moreor at Fletcher's Cove. But I also start at Carderock for a change or if that is how the race is set up. I don't do much in the park itself. But I see it is a lovely, underused facility (which I don't want to ruin). There is, as people have mentioned, a military facility nearby. I wonder as I drive around, if they are conducting surveillance or if you'd get in trouble for doing something such as taking photographs. I've never had an issue though, if you were wondering. I have gotten lost, however, because it's not quite clear (and GPS is not precise) how you get to where you want to go once you take the exit. I recommend Carderock highly for a hike. I believe it also is a nice place to hang out, even if you don't get to the trail (but why would you go here and not at least take a gander at the water).

I had a private lesson with Cheddar last week & it was fantastic! He was easy going, helped me with…read morecomfort in the boat and building my skillset. I know that sometimes I learn a little differently than the average person and Cheddar listened to what I had to say and was able to tailor the experience to something that worked best for me and my brain. I came away from the lesson feeling more confident and excited about a future that includes some whitewater kayaking. I'm excited to keep learning with Potomac Paddlesports and next time I want to arrange a private lesson I will definitely request Cheddar as my instructor. I would wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone.

Took some whitewater kayaking classes a few years ago, really enjoyed it…read more Ashley was one of my teachers - not sure if she's still there but she was my favorite.

Great Falls Park Review "The Niagara Falls of the South!"…read more I absolutely loved Great Falls Park! This place is breathtaking, with powerful rushing water cascading through dramatic rocky cliffs along the Potomac River. No wonder it is sometimes described as the "Niagara Falls of the South!" The scenic overlooks offer spectacular views, and watching an experienced kayaker navigate the powerful rapids was an unforgettable experience. It was thrilling just to watch! ‍ I also enjoyed visiting the Visitor Center to learn more about the park and its natural history. The park is a wonderful destination for nature lovers, photographers, and anyone looking for an amazing outdoor experience without having to hike long distances. A word of caution: The currents are extremely dangerous, so stay behind safety barriers and never enter the water. If you're visiting Northern Virginia or Washington, D.C., I highly recommend adding Great Falls Park to your itinerary. It's a beautiful place where you can truly appreciate the incredible power of nature! Definitely worth a visit!

I visited Great Falls NP on a spring-like day on May 30, 2026. This is a fantastic place to enjoy…read morenature 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.

We spent our Fourth of July at Terrapin and it was absolutely wonderful! From being welcomed at the…read moredesk (I am so sorry I can't remember his name!), to our awesome guides Justin and Jasmine, to Scott who helped at the swing and doing the belay to get us down - we truly enjoyed the whole experience (despite the unbearable heat this weekend). Justin and Jasmine made sure we stayed hydrated, and regularly brought us into the air conditioning to avoid overheating. They ensured our safety every moment we were there. The rope course was insanely fun, the giant swing and zip line were a blast and our favorite part was honestly the rock climbing! Justin and Jasmine were fantastic - we will definitely come back (preferably not during a heat wave haha) and hope they will be our guides again - every single person today made it memorable for my family! Thank you so much!!!

We have enjoyed this camp for years, but 2026 brought parental concerns over hearing that children…read moregrouped up to 12 years old were sharing bathrooms if another identified as the opposite sex. This should be an opportunity to identify a solution comfortable for everyone affected by providing single use options, as opposed to telling my daughter "it's ok because he identifies as a she". It caused an uncomfortable situation for girls and concerns for parents. No young girl should feel uncomfortable or anxious using the restroom.

We spent a full day at River Riders, splitting our time between the Harpers Ferry Waterpark in the…read moremorning and the Aerial Adventure Park in the afternoon. It was a great combination for both the kids and adults. The inflatable waterpark kept the kids busy for the entire session. El Jefe, the large slide, and Thor, the climbing tower and slide, were our favorites. I strongly recommend booking one of the first sessions during the summer. We went early when it was less crowded, and it became noticeably busier later. In the afternoon, we completed the green and blue aerial trails. Both were a lot of fun, and the progression from one to the next worked well. Overall, River Riders is an excellent choice for families or groups looking for an active full day near Harpers Ferry.

I am posting this review to urge prospective guests to exercise extreme caution and to call on…read moremanagement to address severe safety oversights. Despite having prior rafting experience and maintaining strong physical fitness, this individual tubing trip presented hazardous conditions with virtually no on-water safety support. ​Key Issues Observed: ​No Helmets Suggested or Required: Helmets were not recommended, suggested, or provided for navigating rocky rapids. I capsized and hit my head on submerged rocks--a dangerous hazard that warrants clear guidance and mandatory head protection. ​Zero Rescue Personnel: No river guides or safety kayakers were stationed along technical sections. When participants were pinned against rocks or stranded in strong currents, there was no staff to assist. ​Inadequate Instruction & Extreme Strain: Relying solely on arm paddling through boulder gardens offers minimal control and quickly causes physical exhaustion, even for fit individuals. ​Equipment Failures: Some tubes were punctured by sharp rocks, leaving guests stranded in turbulent water with no emergency extraction protocol. Commercial river outfitters have a basic duty of care to provide essential protective gear, clear instruction, and active supervision. I strongly advise making sure these safety practices are in place before booking unless you have experience and are comfortable without the precautions.

The weather has been so nice in the DMV that getting out and into nature is the perfect way to…read morespend the day. I've passed this center several time but only recently entered. This place is awesome. Located by the Rockville mansion it's easily accessible. Free parking and lots of poke stops are outside the building. Along with hiking trails and if you take it down far enough you'll find a waterfall and creek. Once inside there's a small gift shop, animals, classrooms, and lots of learning activities. I think the best part about this center is that any one of any age can be entertained out here. There's a small play section outside but inside there's materials for children all of the way to adults. Staff appeared extremely knowledgeable during my visit and answered every question I asked. I also got information on volunteering, which is welcome after completing paperwork. Once I left I saw several school and different organizations having field trips as well. We'll definitely be back and look forward to doing more hiking.

Really nice and educational nature center. Perfect when it's too hot to be outside. It's small and…read moreI loved that. You only need a couple of hours to explore everything. Highly recommended

Love this place!!! Everyone is so friendly and helpful. They change up sections of the walls every…read morefew weeks so there's always something new to try. I've only gone about 5 times so I'm pretty new to it but the prices are fair. There is also a weightlifting gym and yoga studio.

A yoga instructor attending a yoga class disciplined by 11 year old for laughing when the…read moreparticipating instructor farted multiple times in class. Ridiculous! If you fart in public, people may laugh. So not kid friendly and expensive.