Great Falls Park

Designation: Park

Location: Virginia

📘 Park Overview

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.

🌤 Weather Information

The Washington, D.C. area has a four-season Mid-Atlantic climate. Summertime is warm and humid, while winter can be cold and snowy. Precipitation averages 2-4” monthly, year-round.

🚗 Directions

From I-495, take exit 44 for route 193 west; continue 4 miles. Turn right on Old Dominion Drive.

Images

Great Falls, Virginia

Credit: NPS

The Potomac River rushes down the Great Falls on the Virginia-Maryland border.

Credit: NPS

Great Falls in the Evening

Credit: NPS

An aerial shot of Great Falls.

Credit: NPS

A view of Great Falls from Virginia

Credit: NPS

Activities

Park Film
Paddling
Guided Tours
Hiking
Kayaking

Topics

Animals
Commerce
Rock Landscapes and Features
Waterfalls
Birds
Canals
Scenic Views
River and Riparian
Watersheds
Geology
Engineering
Transportation

Operating Hours

Sunday

7:00AM - Sunset

Monday

7:00AM - Sunset

Tuesday

7:00AM - Sunset

Wednesday

7:00AM - Sunset

Thursday

7:00AM - Sunset

Friday

7:00AM - Sunset

Saturday

7:00AM - Sunset

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle

Includes driver and passengers. Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers. Organized groups are not eligible for the vehicle permit. Also valid for entrance into the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Admission to Great Falls Park is valid for seven consecutive days including date of purchase.

$20.00

Entrance - Motorcycle

Admits one single private motorcycle and its passengers. Individuals 15 years of age and younger are admitted free of charge. Also valid for entrance into the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Admission to Great Falls Park is valid for seven consecutive days including date of purchase.

$15.00

Entrance - Per Person

Applies only to people entering by foot, bicycle, or horse. Individuals 15 years of age and younger are admitted free of charge. Also valid for entrance into the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Admission to Great Falls Park is valid for seven consecutive days including date of purchase.

$10.00

Entrance - Non-commercial Groups

Includes church groups, college/school groups, scouts, service organizations, military, etc. All holders of annual passes and those under 15 years old will be exempt from payment of fees. Non-Commercial Groups in vehicles with a capacity of 15 or less are charged the $20.00 vehicle permit. Vehicles with a capacity of 16 or more are charged a fee of $10.00 per person. Removal of seats from a vehicle does not then qualify for the lower rate. The total fee will not exceed the $100 fee per vehicle.

$100.00

Commercial Entrance - Van

Vehicles with capacity of 7-25 passengers: $40. (No per person fee)

$40.00

Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus

Vehicles with capacity of 7-25 passengers: $40. (No per person fee)

$40.00

Commercial Entrance - Sedan

Vehicles with capacity of 1-6 passengers: $25 plus $3 per person.

$25.00

Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach

Vehicles with capacity of 26+: $100. (No per person fee)

$100.00

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park

Valid for twelve months from the date of purchase. Pass is valid at Great Falls Park and C&O Canal National Historical Park for entrance fees only. Admits the pass holder and occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle OR pass holder and three person (16 and older) where per person entrance fees are charged. Not valid for organized groups or concession operated facilities or activities.

$35.00

3-Day Weather Forecast

Tuesday, Mar 31

Sunny

High: 87.3°F | Low: 60.4°F

Humidity: 50%

Wind: 14.5 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 1.4

Sunrise: 06:55 AM

Sunset: 07:32 PM

Moon: Waxing Gibbous (95%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 62.7°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Wednesday, Apr 1

Patchy rain nearby

High: 87.3°F | Low: 62.4°F

Humidity: 66%

Wind: 13 mph

Rain Chance: 81%

UV Index: 1.5

Sunrise: 06:53 AM

Sunset: 07:33 PM

Moon: Waxing Gibbous (99%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 65.5°F

Cloud Cover: 81%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Thursday, Apr 2

Moderate rain

High: 71.8°F | Low: 57.2°F

Humidity: 83%

Wind: 10.5 mph

Rain Chance: 79%

UV Index: 0.7

Sunrise: 06:52 AM

Sunset: 07:34 PM

Moon: Full Moon (100%)

Visibility: 4 mi

Dew Point: 60.8°F

Cloud Cover: 79%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Weather Alerts (1)

⚠️ Test Message (Unknown)

▼

Effective: Mar 31, 2026 2:28pm
Expires: Mar 31, 2026 2:38pm

Monitoring message only. Please disregard.

Park Alerts

Sat & Sun IF parking is full, entrance closes, no entrance until parking available. Information

Saturdays & Sundays with good weather, IF our parking lots fill we close the park entrance. (Georgetown Pike & Old Dominion Dr) We re-open when parking is available. No waiting, no street parking. Updates at Great Falls Park Facebook page.

Great Falls Park Visitor Center CLOSED (Park is OPEN) Park Closure

Great Falls Park Visitor Center is CLOSED due to building heating issues. Great Fall Park is still OPEN to visitors. We will remove this alert when the Visitor Center reopens.

Great Falls Park to close Sunday January 25 due to expected weather Park Closure

George Washington Memorial Parkway to close Great Falls Park and other park areas and facilities starting Sunday, January 25 due to expected winter weather. Click on "More" below for details on specific closures. Areas will reopen as soon as conditions are safe. For the latest updates, visitors should check www.nps.gov/gwmp and GWMP social media. Next update expected: Monday, January 26, once the storm event has concluded.

More Info

Temporary Closures of Park Entrance Possible if Parking Lots Become Full Information

If parking lots become full, there will be a temporary closure of the park entrance at Georgetown Pike & Old Dominion Drive. The park entrance will re-open as soon as space becomes available. For updated information about parking, call Visitor Center at 703-757-3101

Trail Restrooms Closed Park Closure

Restrooms located at the North intersection of Old Carriage Road Trail and Matildaville Trail are closed due a water leak. There are portable toilets available at this location. Restrooms located at the Visitor Center are open between 9-5.

Trail Restrooms Closed Park Closure

Park Closed for Snow

Great Falls Park is closed because of inclement weather. The parking lot and entrance road to the park have not been plowed, and emergency vehicles will have difficulty reaching visitors who walk in. Last updated 2/21/2015 3:30 pm

More Info

Great Falls Park to Remain Closed Through February 4 2026 Park Closure

George Washington Memorial Parkway, including Great Falls Park, and other park areas and facilities will remain closed through February 4 due to winter weather impacts. Click on "More" below for details on specific closures. Areas will reopen as soon as conditions are safe. For the latest updates, visitors should check www.nps.gov/gwmp and GWMP social media. Next update expected: February 4

More Info

Park Closed on December 25th Park Closure

Great Falls Park will be closed to visitors on December 25th. The park will reopen at 7 am on December 26th.

July 31, 2025 Park Closed early due to flash flooding Park Closure

Thursday, July 31, 2025 GREAT FALLS PARK, Virginia CLOSED at this time until further notice due to flash flooding on interior park roads and trails (not the river). Opening Friday morning may be delayed as park staff assess conditions in the AM.

National Park Service Seeks Comments on Proposed Entrance Fee Increase at Great Falls Park

George Washington Memorial Parkway is accepting public comments online through February 5, 2015 on a proposal to increase entrance fees at Great Falls Park.

More Info

Aid Box Rock Climbing Area Closed Park Closure

The Aid Box rock climbing area is temporarily closed due to a recent rock topple.

WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS MESSAGE - February 3, 2016

Warning! Conditions will remain snowy and icy on most trail surfaces for the week ahead. Thawing and refreezing make trail conditions very slippery. Expect wet, slushy and muddy conditions as snow and ice thaw. Be safe come prepared

Great Falls Park is Temporarily Closed! Park Closure

Great Falls Park is currently closed to visitors due to an ongoing U.S. Park Police investigation. Please call the visitor center, (703) 757-3101, check the website and stay tuned to our Facebook page before coming out to the park today.

Entrance Fees Increase at Great Falls Park

The entrance fees at Great Falls Park will increase beginning June 1, 2015.

More Info

Fisherman's Eddy Closed through August to Address Floating Debris Park Closure

The area will remain closed for the duration of clean-up work.

More Info

Park Entrance road closed to vehicles Park Closure

Great Falls Park vehicle entrance at Old Dominion Drive and Georgetown Pike is closed temporarily. The entrance should re-open later in the afternoon and the park is open until dark. (30 minutes after sunset) You may call 703-757-3101 for updates.

Great Falls Park Entrance Station Credit Card Machine is out of service. Information

The credit card machines at the entrance station are currently down. ONLY CASH can be accepted for entrance fees at this time. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Great Falls Park Closing at 12noon Monday March 16 Due to Hazardous Weather Park Closure

Great Falls Park will be closing at 12noon on Monday March 16,2026 due to impending hazardous weather. Areas will reopen as soon as conditions are safe. Alert will be removed when area reopens. For the latest updates, visitors should check www.nps.gov/grfa and social media.

Park Events

Go with the Flow - Great Falls Park

Description: Explore the importance of water with this guided hike along the Potomac River which will last 30 to 35 mins. Learn about the journey water takes to allow us to cook, clean, and maintain our health and how you can help keep our water sources healthy. Intended for children 6-10, but all ages are welcome to join!

This hike will start at 9:00am at Overlook 2 and will take place on North River Trail which is fairly flat and would be sustainable for devices with wheels. This program does take place outdoors so, please come prepared for the weather. We ask that you RSVP by sending an email to GWMP_VSnorth@nps.gov with First Day Hike in the subject line, and group size in the body of the email. We hope to see you in the New Year!

Location: Please meet at 9:00 am at Overlook 2.

Date: Jan 1, 2026 12:00am to Jan 1, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

The Road Less Traveled - Great Falls Park

Join a ranger for a family-friendly, wheels-accessible hike covering the history of Old Carriage Road. In this half-mile round trip, learn about how this popular path used to be a vital roadway from the canal era into the 20th century. Meet at the lower parking lot.

This hike will start at 1:00pm at the parking lot immediately after the fee booth and will take place on Old Carriage Road. This program does take place outdoors so, please come prepared for the weather. We ask that you RSVP by sending an email to GWMP_VSnorth@nps.gov with First Day Hike in the subject line. Please include the size of your group in your email! We hope to see you in the New Year!

Location: Meet at the parking lot immediately after the fee booth at 1 PM.

Date: Jan 1, 2026 12:00am to Jan 1, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

A Tale of Two Georges - Great Falls Park

Step back in time on a guided History Hike at Great Falls Park. Discover the story of George Washington’s Patowmack Canal and the people who built and worked along the Potomac River. This guided hike explores the canal ruins and overlooks, blending spectacular scenery with the history of early American innovation and community life at Great Falls.

This hike will start at 11:00am at Overlook 3 and will take place on Patowmack Canal Trail. This program does take place outdoors so, please come prepared for the weather. We ask that you RSVP by sending an email to GWMP_VSnorth@nps.gov with First Day Hike in the subject line. Please include the size of your group in your email! We hope to see you in the New Year!

Date: Jan 1, 2026 12:00am to Jan 1, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Cold Weather Readiness Drop In - Great Falls Park

Discover the biological realities of winter survival in this drop in program designed to dispel dangerous myths about cold tolerance and acclimatization. Learn to protect your group by identifying the "umbles" associated with hypothermia and the visual signs of frostbite across different skin tones. This essential safety briefing equips you with knowledge on proper layering, hydration, and the physiological limits of the human body in nature.

Location: Meet at Overlook 3

Date: Jan 1, 2026 12:00am to Jan 1, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
9200 Old Dominion Dr.
McLean, VA 22102

🏤 Mailing Address:
Great Falls Park
c/o Turkey Run Park
McLean, VA 22101

📞 Voice Phone: 7037573101

✉️ Email: gwmp_superintendent@nps.gov

Great Falls Park

📘 Park Overview

🌤 Weather Information

🚗 Directions

Images

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Entrance Fees

Entrance Passes

3-Day Weather Forecast

Weather Alerts (1)

Park Alerts

Park Events

Visitor Center & Contacts

Park Location