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National Park Service

Great Falls Park

Plan a Great Falls Park trip

About Great Falls Park

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.

From the National Park Service.

State
Virginia
Designation
Park
Entrance fee
$20, private vehicle
  • Trail data for this park is still being added.
  • Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to Great Falls Park.

Entrance fees

  • $20 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…
  • $15 Motorcycle
  • $10 Per Person
  • $100 Non-commercial Groups

Passes

  • $35 Annual Entrance - Park

Hours

Park Hours

Mon
7:00AM - Sunset
Tue
7:00AM - Sunset
Wed
7:00AM - Sunset
Thu
7:00AM - Sunset
Fri
7:00AM - Sunset
Sat
7:00AM - Sunset
Sun
7:00AM - Sunset

Great Falls Park is open from 7:00 am until 30 minutes after sunset. This time varies each day. Great Falls Park is closed on December 25.

Weather and when to go

The Washington, D.C. area has a four-season Mid-Atlantic climate. Summer is hot and humid, and winter can be cold and snowy. Precipitation averages 2-4” monthly, year-round. The average temperature in summer is about 75 degrees F. Summer days in the mid-90's with high humidity are not uncommon. Winters vary in temperature, with the average temperature about 36 degrees F. Snow is rare. When it snows, it tends to melt within a few days.

Getting there

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

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address
9200 Old Dominion Dr., McLean, VA 22102
Official site
nps.gov/grfa

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for Great Falls Park

Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.

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Things to do in Great Falls Park

The park service's own list, with how long each takes.

What to pack for Great Falls Park

Gear & Essentials

Tell us about your trip and we will add what else you will want:

The basics

Worth having in the car whatever the park.

For this trip

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