Park Regulations & Safety

Permits

Permits are required for certain activities within the park. There is a $50.00 fee for permit applications. These include:

• Weddings
• Catered picnics
• Any activity in which participants are paying to participate, such as tours or classes
• Religious services and ceremonies
• Funeral and memorial ceremonies
• Competitions, such as orienteering or trail races
• Filming in the park

Incidental Buisness Permits are required for any business that will be bringing paying clients into the park for any reason, including:

• Rock climbing
• Horseback riding
• Hiking tours
• Kayaking, rafting, and canoeing

Contact the permit office at 703-289-2513 for additional information or to apply for a permit.

Accessibility

Accessible parking is available in the main parking lot. The unloading zone by the main picnic area has an accessible ramp.

Overlooks Two and Three are fully accessible, as is the Patowmack Canal Trail to the Holding Basin and the guard gate.

The exhibits, programs, and slide presentations on the upper floor of the Visitor Center are reached via a ramp on either end of the building.

If you have any questions, please contact the park.

Alcohol Policy

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in Great Falls Park.

Pets

All pets must be on a six foot leash AT ALL TIMES while in Great Falls Park. There are no off leash areas within the park.

Pets must be under owner control at all times and may not be left tied out or unattended. Do not leave a pet in an unattended vehicle- high temperatures during the spring and summer months can be fatal.

Pets are welcome on all park trails, parking lots, and picnic areas.

Pets, with the exception of service animals, are not permitted in any building, including the Visitor Center and restrooms.

The leash law is in effect to protect pets and people. Be aware of dangerous currents in the Potomac, cliffs, venomous snakes, and the safety and comfort of other visitors and keep your pet on a leash at all times. Pets, including dogs, are required to be on a six foot leash while in the park. An off leash dog park is available in Reston, about fifteen minutes from Great Falls Park.

Riverbend Park also requires all pets to be on a six foot leash at all times.

Your Safety

Safety Tips

Getting There:

• Use caution and obey posted speed limits while driving to the park. Old Dominion and Georgetown Pike are both narrow roads with no shoulders. Take special care during inclement weather.
• Be alert for deer and other wildlife crossing roads.
• Lock your car and roll up all windows.
• Never leave any valuables in your vehicle, including purses, cell phones, CDs, electronics, and wallets. Either take these items with you or store them out of sight prior to arriving in the park.

During Your Visit:

• Swimming, wading, and entering the river in any manner are prohibited year round. Dangerous currents, rocks, and rapids make the river extremely hazardous. Rescues from the river itself are difficult. Keep your distance from cliff edges and use caution while hiking in rocky areas.
• Dress appropriately for the activity you are participating in. Bring appropriate safety gear if your activity calls for it.
• Bring water with you. This is especially important during the warmer months. High temperatures, combined with high humidity, can cause dehydration.
• Be alert for natural hazards. Poison ivy, stinging nettle, mosquitoes, stinging insects, spiders, and ticks are all found in the park. Only one type of venomous snake, the copperhead, is found in Great Falls Park.
• Keep an eye on your belongings while in the park. Do not leave any items unattended.
• Park maps are available at the entrance station, in the Visitor Center, and in the Ranger office. If you would like a map before you arrive, contact the park and one will be mailed to you.
• A pay phone is located in the courtyard of the Visitor Center. This is the only pay phone in the park.
• Cellular phones may have trouble finding reception in the park.

Wildlife:

• The animals you may encounter in the park are wild. Do not feed, touch, disturb, tease, or harass any wildlife, including birds, in the park.
• Observe wildlife from a safe distance and contact a ranger if you see an animal behaving strangely. Several cases of rabies have been documented in this area.
• All pets must be on a six foot leash at all times. Loose pets can be lost, injured, or killed in the park. Pets can also harm or harass wildlife and be a nuisance to other visitors.
• In National Parks, it is illegal to collect or take anything out of the park, including wildlife and plants. Observe plants and animals, but leave them undisturbed.

If you require assistance, contact Park Rangers at 703-285-2965. First aid services are available in the Visitor Center.