Great Falls Park

Great Falls Park

In A Nutshell

History & Culture

A trading place. A place to fish. A canal and town. An amusement park. A place to discover nature. During the past ten thousand years, the Great Falls of the Potomac has been the location of all of these, and more. From trading to recreation, people have been drawn here for thousands of years.

 

Getting Around

Great Falls Park is an 800 acre park with fifteen miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. All vehicles are restricted to the entrance road and parking lots only and may not drive on any park trail or enter the picnic area. Unloading zones are located next to the picnic area, just off the main entrance road.

The park has three parking lots. The entrance station will provide information on the availability of parking. The entrance road ends at the north parking lot, and it is not possible to see the Falls by car.

The three Falls Overlooks are located within a two to ten minute walk of the Visitor Center. Overlooks 2 and 3 are fully accessible.

Visitor Centers

The Visitor Center is open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. During the spring, summer, and early fall, the hours are extended. Contact the park for information on current hours.

A ten minute video presentation on the history of Great Falls Park is shown throughout the day. Check with the Visitor Center desk for schedules, or to request a presentation.

Stop by the Visitor Center desk for trail maps, the self-guided tour of the Patowmack Canal, local information, pamplets on nearby parks, and information on recreational activities. Volunteers and Rangers will be on hand to answer questions.

Explore a wide array of exhibits featuring the Patowmack Canal, geology, recreation, and the flora and fauna of Great Falls. An interactive children's room offers puzzles, coloring activities, and a hands-on exploration table.

Restrooms and a concession stand are located on the lower level. The concession stand is open seasonally from March to mid-November.

The park's bookstore is open during Visitor Center hours.

Things To Know Before You Come

Great Falls Park is a unique destination in the Washington D.C. area. Here, you will find information to help you plan your visit to the park.

Some things to keep in mind while planning your trip:

  • The busiest times are on nice weekend afternoons. There is usually a line to enter the park on those days.
  • Great Falls is a day use park only.
  • Ranger programs are offered daily. Check with the Visitor Center for details.
  • Alcohol is not permitted in the park
  • Pets must be on leash.
  • No swimming is permitted in the park.
  • Park hours are from 7 a.m. to dark, year- round.

Operating Hours & Seasons

Great Falls Park is open daily from 7 a.m. until dark. The Visitor Center is open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily, with extended hours during the spring and summer months.

Directions

Mailing Address
9200 Old Dominion Dr.
McLean, VA 22102

From the Beltway (I-495):

Take exit 44 for Route 193, Georgetown Pike.
At the top of the exit ramp, there is a traffic light. If you are exiting from I-495 South, coming from Maryland and the George Washington Memorial Parkway, take a right at the light onto Route 193 West. If you are coming from I-495 North (the Inner Loop) from points south or I-66, you will take a left at the traffic light onto Route 193 West. About three miles down the road, you will come to another traffic light at the intersection of Old Dominion Dr. At the traffic light, you will see a sign for the park. Make a right at the light. Old Dominion Drive will dead end at our entrance station, about one mile down the road.

From I-66:
Take the I-495 North exit. Once on the Beltway, take the next exit, Exit 44, and follow the directions from I-495.
From Washington, D.C.:
Take Constitution Ave. NW/US-50 to I-66 W/ US-50 W. You will cross Memorial Bridge. Continue until you reach the US-50 W/ Arlington Blvd/ GW Parkway exit. Turn onto George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP or GW Parkway), north. Follow the GWMP towards I-495. At the interchange with I-495, the GWMP will split, with the right lane going to I-495 north and the two left lanes going to I-495 South. Stay in one of the left two lanes and take the exit that says I-495 South. When you are on the ramp, stay in the right hand lane. This lane will turn into the exit ramp for Route 193, Georgetown Pike. follow the directions from 495.
From Arlington, Rosslyn, Crystal City, and Alexandria:
Take the George Washington Memorial Parkway north towards I-495. At the interchange with I-495, the GWMP will split, with the right lane going to I-495 north and the two left lanes going to I-495 South. Stay in one of the left two lanes and take the exit that says I-495 South. When you are on the ramp, stay in the right hand lane. This lane will turn into the exit ramp for Route 193, Georgetown Pike. Follow the directions from 495.
From Tyson's Corner, Vienna, and Falls Church:
Take Route 7 West. At the intersection with Towlston Rd, take a right. Follow Towlston until you reach Old Dominion Dr. Make a left on Old Dominion. Old Dominion will dead end at the park's entrance station.
From Reston and Herndon:
Take Baron Cameron Dr. until you reach Route 7 (Leesburg Pike). At the light, continue straight. Baron Cameron will turn into Springvale after it crosses Route 7. Continue on Springvale until you reach a traffic light. At the light, make a right onto Route 193 (Georgetown Pike). You will follow 193 through a second traffic light at the town of Great Falls. At the next light, you will see a sign for Great Falls Park. Take a left here onto Old Dominion Dr. One mile down, Old Dominion will dead end at the park's entrance station.
From Sterling, Ashburn, Leesburg, and points west:
Take Route 7 East. Make a left at the intersection with Route 193, Georgetown Pike. Follow 193 through three traffic lights. After the last light in the town of Great Falls, you will drive for approximately three miles until you reach the light at Old Dominion Dr. Look for the park signs. The park will be on your left. Old Dominion will end at the park's entrance station.
From Prince William County and points south:
Take I-95 north until you reach the I-495, I-395, and I-95 interchange (the 'mixing bowl'). Take I-395 N, exit 170A- on the left- toward Washington. You will follow I-395 for about a quarter of a mile. Take exit 170B onto I-495 North towards Tyson's Corner. Follow I-495 until you reach Exit 44 for Route 193, Georgetown Pike. At the top of the exit ramp, there is a traffic light. Take a left at the light onto Route 193 West. About three miles down the road, you will come to another traffic light at the intersection of Old Dominion Dr. At the traffic light, you will see a sign for the park. Make a right at the light. Old Dominion Drive will dead end at our entrance station, about one mile down the road.
 
Alternate route: Take I-95 until you reach Rt. 7100, Fairfax County Parkway. Take 7100 North. This will allow you to avoid construction taking place at the intersection of 95, 495, and 395. Continue on 7100 North until it intersects with Rt. 7. Follow Rt. 7 East until you reach the intersection with Rt. 193, Georgetown Pike. This will be a left hand turn. Follow 193 until you come to the traffic light at the intersection of Old Dominion Dr. At the traffic light, take a left and follow Old Dominion until you reach the park's entrance station.
From Maryland and points north:
Follow I-95 until you reach exit 27, I-495 (the Capitol Beltway). Stay in the right two lanes and merge onto I-495 West, towards Silver Spring MD. Stay on I-495 until you reach Exit 44 for Route 193, Georgetown Pike. You will see signs for exit 43 and exit 44, as they share an exit ramp. Pass exit 43 (George Washington Memorial Parkway) and take Exit 44 (Route 193). At the top of the exit ramp, there is a traffic light. Take a right at the light onto Route 193 West. About three miles down the road, you will come to another traffic light at the intersection of Old Dominion Dr. At the traffic light, you will see a sign for the park. Make a right at the light. Old Dominion Drive will dead end at our entrance station, about one mile down the road.
Phone Number:
If you have a question about directions, please contact the park at 703-285-2965.
 
 
Maryland
 
The Maryland side of the falls is part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.

Carpooling / Vanpooling

Carpooling is an option if you are coming to the park with friends. It may be something to consider if you are planning a visit on weekends, when the parking lots tend to fill.

Entrance fees are $5.00 per vehicle. Park passes, including Great Falls Park annual passes, National Parks Passes, and Golden Age passes are good for the passholder and anyone else in the vehicle.

Weather

Weather in Great Falls Park is typical for the mid-Atlantic. There are four seasons, with no extremes in temperature. Summers can be hot and humid, so be sure to bring water with you. The average temperature in summer is approximately 75 degrees F. Summer days in the mid-90's with high humidity are not uncommon. Winters can vary in temperature, with the average temperature for Virginia at approximately 36 degrees F. Snow is fairly rare. When it does snow, it tends to melt within a few days.

River temperatures vary throughout the year. Temperatures range from near freezing to over 70 degrees in the summer months. Due to rapids, rocks, and hazardous currents, swimming and wading are prohibited at all times.

Fees & Reservations

Park Fees

  • $3.00 Individual Pass. Good for three consecutive days for individuals coming into the park on foot, horseback, bicycle, or motorcycle.
  • $5.00 Vehicle Pass. Good for three consecutive days for one vehicle.
  • $20.00 Annual Pass. Good for one year from the date of purchase in Great Falls Park and C&O Canal National Historical Park in Maryland.

Reservations

  • All picnic tables and grills are available on a first come, first serve basis. The park does not take reservations for picnic areas.
  • Reservations are needed for some of our monthly programs. For more information, contact the Visitor Center at 703-285-2965.

Public Transportation

Great Falls Park is not located on any public transportation routes. There is no access to public transportation from the park by foot or bicycle.

The closest Metro stations to the park are Dunn Loring and West Falls Church, on the Orange Line. Both stations are located seven to ten miles away from the park. To get to the park from Metro, it will be necessary to take a cab.

The park is close to two major airports. Dulles International is sixteen miles from the park. Reagan International, which does have Metro access, is located twenty miles from the park. Cab service is available from both locations.

The closest major train station is located in Washington D.C. Union Station has Metro access, and trains also run to BWI International Airport, near Baltimore. It is possible to take Metro from Union Station to West Falls Church, and then to take a cab the rest of the way to the park.

Traffic & Travel Tips

Here are some travel tips and information for getting to the park.

  • On nice weekend days during the spring, summer, and fall, arriving before noon will help you to avoid the lines to get into the park.
  • Because of heavy traffic in this area, giving yourself extra time to get to the park, especially if you are meeting people, is highly recommended.
  • The times of heaviest traffic in the D.C. area are from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. on weekdays. On weekends, it can vary.
  • Be aware that I-66 inside the beltway is HOV-2 (high-occupancy vehicle, two or more passengers) from 6:30 to 9 a.m. going East and from 4 to 6:30 p.m. going West, Monday through Friday. You must have two or more people in your vehicle in order to drive on I-66 during those hours. Outside the beltway, there is a restricted HOV lane.