πŸ•οΈNational Park Data
Water pouring down rocks at Great Falls
Water rushes over jagged rocks
Great Falls with a purple sky near dusk
An aerial shot of the Great Falls.
Water rushing over rocks
Park

Great Falls Park

Virginia

πŸ’°
Entrance Fee
$20
πŸ•
Hours
7:00AM - Sunset
πŸ“
Location
McLean, VA
πŸ“ž
Visitor Center
7037573101

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.

Ad: content-inline-1

About Great Falls Park

Great Falls Park is a park located in Virginia. 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.

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

πŸ’° Entrance Fees & Passes

The general entrance fee for Great Falls starts at $10 (which commonly covers entry for a single private vehicle and passengers for up to 7 consecutive days). The park offers several fee options: Entrance - Private Vehicle ($20), Entrance - Motorcycle ($15), Entrance - Per Person ($10), Entrance - Non-commercial Groups ($100), Commercial Entrance - Van ($40), Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus ($40), Commercial Entrance - Sedan ($25), Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach ($100). If you plan to visit multiple national parks this year, purchasing the America the Beautiful National Parks Annual Pass ($80) is highly cost-effective, as general entry to most parks will quickly offset the pass cost.

Entrance - Private Vehicle$20
Entrance - Motorcycle$15
Entrance - Per Person$10
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups$100
Commercial Entrance - Van$40
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus$40
Commercial Entrance - Sedan$25
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach$100

πŸ₯Ύ Things to Do

Great Falls Park offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Guided Tours, Hiking, Paddling, Kayaking, and 1 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.

βœ… Guided Tours
βœ… Hiking
βœ… Paddling
βœ… Kayaking
βœ… Park Film

πŸ“¦ Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist

Custom items selected for activities at Great Falls

0 of 9 packed

πŸŽ’ Trail Essentials

πŸ›’ Shop
πŸ›’ Shop
πŸ›’ Shop
πŸ›’ Shop

πŸ₯Ύ Activity-Specific Gear

πŸ›’ Shop
πŸ›’ Shop

πŸ§₯ Apparel & Layers

πŸ›’ Shop
πŸ›’ Shop
πŸ›’ Shop
πŸ’‘ Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

πŸ“‹ Visitor Planning Tips for Great Falls

  • β†’Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of Great Falls before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
  • β†’Monitor Active Alerts: There are currently 3 active alerts for Great Falls. Keep an eye on the alert notifications at the top of this guide for crucial information regarding closures or safety issues.
  • β†’Leave No Trace: Help protect the delicate ecosystems of Great Falls. Stay on marked trails, pack out all of your waste, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
Ad: content-inline-2

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.

Frequently Asked Questions about Great Falls

The entrance fee for Great Falls Park is $20 per vehicle. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all 474+ NPS sites and pays for itself after just 2-3 park visits.

About the Author

πŸ§—

James R. Mitchell

Founder & Lead Writer β€” National Park Data

James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.

πŸ”οΈ 63 Parks Visited✍️ 12 Years Writing🧭 Wilderness GuideFull Bio β†’

More Parks Nearby