Located just 15 miles from the Nation’s Capital, Great Falls Park is an 800-acre haven for nature enthusiasts. The highlight is the Potomac River where it speeds up through the narrow Mather Gorge, creating a series of waterfalls and rapids that challenge even the best kayakers in the world.
This is a National Park so the normal entrance rules apply.
The Great Virginia Waterfall Trail
Great Falls is in Section 9 of the Great Virginia Waterfall Trail which travels 132 miles from Winchester to Shenandoah National Park.
Directions
From the Village of Great Falls, drive east on Georgetown Pike (VA-193) for 2 miles. Turn left onto Old Dominion Drive and the entrance is about a mile down the road.
Do plan to arrive early! By 11 am on most days the parking areas fill and lines are forming at the entrance gate.
Trail Map
The Trail
From the parking area, an easy flat trail takes you to the Visitor Center and three overlooks (1 mile return).
Overlook 1 puts you the closest to the rapids while overlook 3 gives you a sweeping view of the whole Gorge!
Google Map of Virginia Waterfalls
Great Falls Park is near Great Falls on this Virginia Waterfalls map by Eben Schoeman.