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Yes it's true, parking is the only issue. There is a road path that runs along the creek instead of going up the stairs. This is a gravel road that leads to the waterfall. If you go up the stairs it's more of a nature hike which is long and very enjoyable.
Great little park with some good views and scenery. The trails are well marked with blazes, as well as maps posted around major intersections. Great for learning how to read trails and maps.
Parking - atrocious if you go in the late morning! There are a few parking lots but the parking lot is small. We had about 4 cars, and we waited ~45 minutes to find parking for all of us at 10:30 am. If you go at 6:00 am, the parking situation is great! I haven't had any issues with going that early. Trail - Scott's Run Nature Preserve. This is a moderate trail, about 3.1 miles. On the trail, you will also see a waterfall. The hike involves both uphill and downhill portions. Dog-friendly but they have to be on a leash. I ended up bringing two dogs here from a local animal shelter. There are also trail blazes (markers), so you won't get lost if you follow them.
We came here on a Wednesday afternoon and managed to grab one of the last parking spots in the second lot. I was surprised at how crowded it was, particularly with groups of teenagers......and then I saw why. This park is known for its waterfall, and it is a pretty good hike to get there. It was sweltering the day we went, and we appreciated all of the water opportunities just to get our feet wet. My toddler walked most of the way there himself, so it took us quite some time to get to the falls. At this point, it was super crowded so we took a look for about 10 minutes and then moved to a location further upstream. This location is not monitored which could be why it's so popular amongst some groups. There is no entrance fee (unlike nearby Great Falls) and who doesn't love a waterfall so, yeah, it is going to be at capacity often. There are lots of places to stop and have a picnic or a snack-but only if you take your trash with you. As others mentioned there are no wading and no swimming signs everywhere-can't miss them. Lots of people were still swimming and wading though. I'd return to hike here again in the future.
It's a really nice hike. You can get close to the Potomac River. You'll see people swimming in here, despite signs warning not to. The signs are correct, as this part of the river is deep, fast moving, and potentially deadly. Yet as long as you stick to the trail, you're good to go. The trail is full of people. This popularity and the parking situation, drop it a star. Also humans prove again, to not necessarily be the best animals. Trash here and there is frustrating. You can get some good views. Also the tree cover protects you on sunny days. If you want to go here, I wish you luck finding a parking spot.
This is one of the best places to go for a hike in the area. No picnic areas or playgrounds, just lovely woodland trails that take you to the Potomac and a pretty waterfall. Loads of people on the weekends, but quiet on weekdays. To avoid the crowds, try the interior trails, trails on the east side, and the (sometimes treacherous) trail along the river. To address the misanthrope, I'm assuming the complaints about trash in August 2020 are a direct correlation with the pandemic and resource shortage. I assure you this problem is fixed. Please be warned, patrol cars are there giving out tickets. Pay attention to parking signs and guidelines. Con- Very limited parking spaces during peak hours. I work from so my visit are always peaceful without incident.
Scott's Run is a large nature preserve on land once owned by a prominent D.C. lawyer. Located in McLean, Virginia, it's a popular place for families during the day and partyers in the evenings. My toddler and I went before 10am on a Monday. We parked in the second parking lot closest to the actual waterfall and grabbed the last open parking spot. We then hiked 1.5 miles along the creek down a big hill to the actual waterfall along the Potomac River. It's beautiful and an easy hike for kids to do. There are signs everywhere saying swimming is not allowed. You can wade in the creek, though. Sadly, we saw tons of trash on the trail from partyers. If you go, bring a trash bag and help pick up the litter.
Great spot for a light hike, some areas have a steeper incline, but it is safe and there were people of all ages. The trails are incredibly easy to follow, with maps all over and the trees are marked with paint so you know which trail you are on. I suggest taking a picture of the trail so you have it with you at all times. At some points you are in the woods and at others along the water. If you have a dog, they may want to jump into the water and can easily get in and get out. The trail also has a really nice waterfall. Bring a book or a meal because there are benches everywhere that you can sit on. TLDR - No bathroom - Easy hike - Dog friendly
[Coronavirus review] Some of the limited parking was closed, and some still is, but people seem to end up lining the streets regardless to pile into this little stretch of forest. Some paths are narrow enough that you have to think about social distancing, but most likely you'll have no trouble. Despite being small in square milage, the park packs quite a diverse landscape, with huge changes in elevation. You can look out over the river from a cliff a couple of stories high, and then walk down to where a waterfall from a small stream feeds into the same river. It's not Great Falls, but it's more accessible and less dangerous. There was quite a lot of broken glass near the falls. There are spots that have more sights, but this park is free and close to the Beltway, and has something to offer from those who just want a quick outdoor jaunt of an hour or two.
I visited here over the summer since I started seeing some reviews about the place. Parking is limited. Thankfully, we found a parking lot and a cop was there managing traffic which was a huge plus since it was busy that day. The cops were issuing tickets to anyone who parked in non designated areas on the street. As we were walking to the waterfall, there were a lot of patrons in bathing suits going and coming from the waterfall. There was also a terrible stench. It smelled like sewage in some areas. Once we made it the waterfall, it was packed and lots of people were in the water that day. We did not get in the water and were only there to hike and see the waterfall. Overall, it was a new place to visit; but with limited parking and the bad smell; I don't plan to return.
7 months ago
Nice spot to get in some forest bathing. Trails were accessed by a very long staircase although I saw in another review there is a trail that runs along the creek, good to know. We went in November so trails covered with wet leaves. read more
Yes it's true, parking is the only issue. There is a road path that runs along the creek instead of going up the stairs. This is a gravel road that leads to the waterfall. If you go up the stairs it's more of a nature hike which is long and very enjoyable. read more
1 year ago
5 years ago
Parking - atrocious if you go in the late morning! There are a few parking lots but the parking lot is small. We had about 4 cars, and we waited ~45 minutes to find parking for all of us at 10:30 am. If you go at 6:00 am, the parking situation is great! I haven't had any issues with going that early. Trail - Scott's Run Nature Preserve. This is a moderate trail, about 3.1 miles. On the trail, you will also see a waterfall. The hike involves both uphill and downhill portions. Dog-friendly but they have to be on a leash. I ended up bringing two dogs here from a local animal shelter. There are also trail blazes (markers), so you won't get lost if you follow them. read more
We came here on a Wednesday afternoon and managed to grab one of the last parking spots in the second lot. I was surprised at how crowded it was, particularly with groups of teenagers......and then I saw why. This park is known for its waterfall, and it is a pretty good hike to get there. It was sweltering the day we went, and we appreciated all of the water opportunities just to get our feet wet. My toddler walked most of the way there himself, so it took us quite some time to get to the falls. At this point, it was super crowded so we took a look for about 10 minutes and then moved to a location further upstream. This location is not monitored which could be why it's so popular amongst some groups. There is no entrance fee (unlike nearby Great Falls) and who doesn't love a waterfall so, yeah, it is going to be at capacity often. There are lots of places to stop and have a picnic or a snack-but only if you take your trash with you. As others mentioned there are no wading and no swimming signs everywhere-can't miss them. Lots of people were still swimming and wading though. I'd return to hike here again in the future. read more
It's a really nice hike. You can get close to the Potomac River. You'll see people swimming in here, despite signs warning not to. The signs are correct, as this part of the river is deep, fast moving, and potentially deadly. Yet as long as you stick to the trail, you're good to go. The trail is full of people. This popularity and the parking situation, drop it a star. Also humans prove again, to not necessarily be the best animals. Trash here and there is frustrating. You can get some good views. Also the tree cover protects you on sunny days. If you want to go here, I wish you luck finding a parking spot. read more
This is one of the best places to go for a hike in the area. No picnic areas or playgrounds, just lovely woodland trails that take you to the Potomac and a pretty waterfall. Loads of people on the weekends, but quiet on weekdays. To avoid the crowds, try the interior trails, trails on the east side, and the (sometimes treacherous) trail along the river. To address the misanthrope, I'm assuming the complaints about trash in August 2020 are a direct correlation with the pandemic and resource shortage. I assure you this problem is fixed. Please be warned, patrol cars are there giving out tickets. Pay attention to parking signs and guidelines. Con- Very limited parking spaces during peak hours. I work from so my visit are always peaceful without incident. read more
Scott's Run is a large nature preserve on land once owned by a prominent D.C. lawyer. Located in McLean, Virginia, it's a popular place for families during the day and partyers in the evenings. My toddler and I went before 10am on a Monday. We parked in the second parking lot closest to the actual waterfall and grabbed the last open parking spot. We then hiked 1.5 miles along the creek down a big hill to the actual waterfall along the Potomac River. It's beautiful and an easy hike for kids to do. There are signs everywhere saying swimming is not allowed. You can wade in the creek, though. Sadly, we saw tons of trash on the trail from partyers. If you go, bring a trash bag and help pick up the litter. read more
Great spot for a light hike, some areas have a steeper incline, but it is safe and there were people of all ages. The trails are incredibly easy to follow, with maps all over and the trees are marked with paint so you know which trail you are on. I suggest taking a picture of the trail so you have it with you at all times. At some points you are in the woods and at others along the water. If you have a dog, they may want to jump into the water and can easily get in and get out. The trail also has a really nice waterfall. Bring a book or a meal because there are benches everywhere that you can sit on. TLDR - No bathroom - Easy hike - Dog friendly read more
6 years ago
[Coronavirus review] Some of the limited parking was closed, and some still is, but people seem to end up lining the streets regardless to pile into this little stretch of forest. Some paths are narrow enough that you have to think about social distancing, but most likely you'll have no trouble. Despite being small in square milage, the park packs quite a diverse landscape, with huge changes in elevation. You can look out over the river from a cliff a couple of stories high, and then walk down to where a waterfall from a small stream feeds into the same river. It's not Great Falls, but it's more accessible and less dangerous. There was quite a lot of broken glass near the falls. There are spots that have more sights, but this park is free and close to the Beltway, and has something to offer from those who just want a quick outdoor jaunt of an hour or two. read more
1 year ago
I visited here over the summer since I started seeing some reviews about the place. Parking is limited. Thankfully, we found a parking lot and a cop was there managing traffic which was a huge plus since it was busy that day. The cops were issuing tickets to anyone who parked in non designated areas on the street. As we were walking to the waterfall, there were a lot of patrons in bathing suits going and coming from the waterfall. There was also a terrible stench. It smelled like sewage in some areas. Once we made it the waterfall, it was packed and lots of people were in the water that day. We did not get in the water and were only there to hike and see the waterfall. Overall, it was a new place to visit; but with limited parking and the bad smell; I don't plan to return. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
This is where the youths hang out. I seriously though I had stumbled into a Miley Cyrus (circa Party in the USA) video. Everything was so bright, happy, fun, and youthful! There were bikini clad tweens snapping selfies underneath the waterfall, couples sunning and sneaking a few illicit beers on the rocks, and a few brave souls actually swimming in the river. It was hard to imagine that just a few seconds ago the boy and I were battling rush hour traffic on 495. The waterfall is in no ways Great Falls, but it's small and inviting and a perfect backdrop for summer splashing. I'm on the fence on whether or not I would get a horrible flesh eating bacteria here so I don't know if I would go in the water or not. Overall though, it looks pretty idyllic. We parked in the East Parking lot which was an easy walk to the falls. We decided to do some exploring afterwards and like many Yelpers who complained about terribly marked and non-maintained trails got horribly lost. We ended up at the Langley Swim & Racquet Club and decided to walk a mile back to the parking lot using main roads because it was so confusing. We saw lots of toads, tons of fallen trees, the biggest, juiciest earthworm I have ever seen, babbling brooks, rocky river terrains straight out of Pocahontas, and stripped animal bones (please Lord make it be animal bones). The trails are narrow and often lead to nowhere so I would leave the Ergo or the Bugaboos at home. For those looking for adventure in your own backyard, I highly recommend! read more
2 years ago
For me this is my favorite after work hike for two reasons: 1) It's close. It's off 495, and the Georgetown Pike exit, and parking is abundant 2) A hike here is easily done in about 1-2 hours if you're racing the sunset. You get a lot of nature for such a little hike. Within a mile, you're down by a waterfall.Most of the hiking paths here will loop around at around 2 miles. I see lots of people playing on the rocks and swimming in the waters by the waterfall. You can boulder jump up that top of the waterfall with some relative ease. The water is much clearer and less mucky than the rest of the Potomac, so it looks inviting but I am gonna add a couple of points (1) swimming is against the law at Scott's Run (2) many sources of pollution make the waters potentially hazardous to human health. Storm runoff in the Tyson's area washes human and animal waste into the creek. Mountain bikers and horseback riders have added to the waste. The epidemiologist in me will leave you with this: http://www.cdc.gov/leptospirosis/infection/index.html. As other reviewers have noted hiking here is tranquil. It's actually hard to believe that Tyson's Corner is really close by. The hike is also very dog friendly, and is most shady which my pug appreciates. There are two entrances into Scott's Run off of Georgetown Pike with small parking lots and trailheads leading into the stream valley park. The first parking lot you encounter will take you up stairs into the forest hike and the bluffs above the Potomac River. The next entrance sits alongside the stream and you'll follow wide paths to the waterfall. This is a relatively easy hike so if you're looking for something more strenous but close by check out Difficult Run just down the street: http://www.hikingupward.com/OVH/DifficultRun/. read more
Oh rook, Asian sized watafall to sterilize my hoo-ha! Feel like martial artist as you skim across fording posts! Four and a half stars. The payoff is scaled with the amount of effort available, and I didn't hear much traffic noise to disturb my zen. Decent amount of parking between the two lots I saw, no entrance fee. Quite a few dogs off leash, and families with young kids netting up crawfish. Still haven't checked out the chimney, but there are a few light bouldering options are available if you're willing to contend with algae. I'll be back with a swimsuit, bugscreen, and book to sunbathe a few afternoons away at the top of the falls. read more
11 years ago
At heart I am more content in the company of trees than grinding automobiles and commerce. Perhaps that's why I've been walking here for so many years. The history of this urban getaway is instructive in how a small group of residents fought Fairfax County to preserve this gorgeous forest of stately, tall trees from the steady onslaught of urban development and encroachment of almost every inch of this region into concrete edifices or their supporting infrastructure (parking lots, roads, sidewalks). Lucky for us, they won back in the 60s. (Would we perhaps learn from this beautiful natural reprieve, hanging so tenuously just off the 8-lane, heavily-trafficked Beltway, how to pay it forward for the rest of the planet?) The best part of this place used to be that it was poorly signed and those of us who walked here regularly learned to find our way by recognizing key fallen logs or turn-offs; way-finding on the basis of non-urban, natural clues. Yet probably to your delight, that too has gone the way of ugly modernity, as color-coded map signage has found its way along the informal trail and track system of the woods. The trees are delightful company. The trails will allow you to lose yourself away from traffic, crowds, and glass and steel rectilinear towers. But you are not alone in the woods. You won't see wild animals here because domestic animals run rampant, as entitled pet-owners treat this preserve of wild nature as their personal dog parks, and the County cares little. They leave dog poop open in the forest as well as plastic bags of dog poop. Not kidding. Sometimes you'll think someone is watching you in the woods and you would be right. As people have been turned out from the impossibly high-cost living options in the area, a few have returned to live as the ancestors did, making little shelters and huts in protected embankments of the river or nooks in the forest. This is the post-recession USA where the have-nots have been rendered invisible in a cruel, market-driven civic life, and therefore retreat back to whence they came, nature. They are there. In the woods. read more
Ample parking space in the second lot, but can be easy to miss. The main green trail leading to the falls is clearly marked and mostly gravel/rocks. At first I thought I was walking along an emergency road but after asking for directions, I realized I was on the right path to the falls. Be prepared for some steep inclines here. In the summertime, expect to see a lot of younger people swimming in the water. The falls area itself is extremely littered with glass and plastic bottles and bottle caps, which was a huge disappointment. After seeing the falls, I walked up a set of wooden stairs to the left instead of right, which takes you to the bigger parking lot. Stumbled upon an old cabin site with a standing chimney next to a colored map of the trails, which the parking lot map lacked. I then took the brown/orange trail down and back to the parking lot. Holy moly, it was steep! Be extremely cautious on the brown/orange trail because it can be very slippery and there aren't many trees to grab onto for stability. Overall, this place needs more map points and trash cans... I'll be back though. read more
7 years ago
6 years ago
Beautiful during the fall with all the leaves. Great for walking with dogs. Large path for walking. Great scenic view of the water. Parking is terrible. There are two lots, it's still limited. read more
8 years ago
After viewing the photos and reviews, I thought this would be a nice walk, but it was terrible. The first half of the Heritage trail (there are other trails I didn't check out) is nice and woodsy and shaded by the stream, but the second half consists of a steep incline and then a long steep decline that is very rubbly and rocky. You have to watch your every step and thus miss out on the nature around you. Not pleasant at all if you're looking for a nice stroll. Admittedly, people out up with this to see the waterfall at the end, but it's quite anticlimactic and a bit dangerous to traverse the rocks to get down to it. Plus why would you unless you wanted to wade or swim in the water? Ah! But there are signs posted all along that say, No Swimming or Wading, and yet I saw half a dozen people doing just that at the waterfall. This included adults with their young children. Great example-setting for the next generation. Not only that, but there was garbage all along the trail. The disrespect for the outdoors is always very disappointing. It's really simple: Leave no trace. Just take with you whatever you brought in! SMH... read more
Great place to make your weekend better! If you are tired staying home all the time, this is a good escape if you are living around DC, northern VA. The place has multiple trails, you can go all the way to the falls or just do short trail walks. Or just enjoy dipping your feet in refreshing stream of river. read more
9 years ago
Easy to locate with multiple entrances, Scott's Run is my preference over the seemingly always crowded Great Falls trails. It is significantly smaller, fun in the summer as a hangout spot bring a speaker and some brews while you catch the sun. The rocks are flat and inviting for lounging. When I'm through with the waterfall I like to pretend I have some kind of ability to rock climb and so ascending the terrain is definitely more of a challenge than taking the designated path. My dog, my son, my best friend loves this place to swim! read more
We came here on a beautiful sunny Sunday, at around 10 in the morning. We arrived at 7400 Georgetown Pike, and the small parking area was off to the side of the busy main road. We drove up a couple minutes and parked along the side of a residential street, along with several other cars. The walk from the side street to the park entrance was short but terrifying! You have to walk along the small shoulder of a busy road, and then cross that same busy road, hopefully without tripping. Others were doing the same thing, so it must be a common occurrence, but very scary nonetheless. Upon entering the trailhead, we didn't see too many other folks despite the beautiful weather. Towards the end of our walk, around noon, foot-traffic started to pick up, so if you are looking to avoid the crowds, early morning might be your best bet. There are plentiful maps throughout the trails which identify trail colors, which are identifiable by colored paint on trees. We walked down to the Potomac River, where there is a beautiful overlook of the water. The trails were busy enough that another group of people arrived at the overlook every 5-10 minutes, but it definitely wasn't crowded. From either side of the overlook, there are smaller, steeper trails leading down to the water where you can get a good look at a small waterfall and get close to the water. There are many large rocks at the bottom of the overlook, many of which are shaded, making a perfect place to relax with a small snack or sammy while appreciating the wonders of nature. Or not, your choice! The walk back up the steep side-trail was moderately challenging and fun, with plenty of little streams and neat rock formations to stop and admire. I could see the main trails getting very busy on a beautiful weekend, but we were blessed with a relatively quiet experience. The trails were wide and well-kept, and the scenery was relaxing, unique, and beautiful. The only downsides are the parking, though this probably isn't a deterrent for those willing to risk their lives, the copious amounts of trash, and how grown over some of the smaller trails are. I would definitely come back here when I'm craving the woods and some outdoor appreciation! read more
Lovely place to go on a short hike that isn't too strenuous. Not a ton of parking, so recommend getting here early when it first opens. There is a beautiful waterfall and a view of the Potomac. There is a map of different trails throughout the preserve, but I stuck to the main one so I didn't get lost. An added plus is that it is free entry here, unlike Great Falls Park. This is a good spot to socially distance and get some fresh air. Always enjoy being in nature for a change of scenery. read more
Nice short day out. Jogged from the small parking lot to the falls and got there in about 10 mins. Falls were littered with beer cans/bottles and trash from trash people that don't know how to take their trash with them. The upside is all the dogs I got to see, they were so happy playing in the water. Falls were smaller than I expected, but still pretty. While coming out of the parking lot there a big dip by the exit, please beware. My car is in the shop right now because of it. **Edit** SUPER beware of the dip by the exit. Axle on my car broke and it was too expensive to repair so I just ended up getting a new car. read more
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More info about Scott's Run Nature Preserve
7400 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA 22102
Directions
Visit Website
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/scotts-run
Hours
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Ask the Community - Scott's Run Nature Preserve
Is the waterfall on to swim in thanks?
You can swim in the water but you have to be careful not to get hurt.
Are dogs allowed off lease in this preserve if well trained?Trying to find somewhere I can take my pups and they can explore without annoying other hikers.
No. Dogs must be on a leash at all times, 6 foot max length.
