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. The river falls a total of 76 feet spanning less than a mile of waterfalls of various lengths. MONTGOMERY COUNTY. To help cure your parking blues, we have compiled a list of other parking options available near the C&O Canal National Historical Park in Montgomery County. It is very beautiful and just about 30 minutes from Washington D.C. The Falls were great and the bird activity was way up. leaves the canal and heads north up the hill. The Great Falls of the Potomac River resides in the Great Falls Park near McLean in Fairfax County, Virginia and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park near Hagerstown in Montgomery County, Maryland. The cheapest way to get from Maryland to Great Falls Park costs only $6, and the quickest way takes just 1 hour. The weather is likely to get much colder. Select from premium Great Falls National Park Maryland of the highest quality. It's really worth it! On the Maryland side is the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Parkland, which stretches for 184 miles from D.C. to West Virginia. Great Falls Maryland, is part of Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park. The sighting of the Painted Bunting, on the Maryland side of Great Falls, was first documented last week. It is one of the steepest and most dramatic rapids of any eastern river. Great Falls National Park Maryland Side 11/30/2020 ©AEM Photography All Rights Reserved The fast-flowing water of the Potomac River has rapids and a few waterfalls. Best kid friendly trails in Great Falls Park, Virginia 1,440 Reviews Explore the most popular kid friendly trails in Great Falls Park with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Click the image to view a full size GIF (100 kb) or download the PDF (300 kb). Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Legal. Bordering both Maryland and Virginia, the Great Falls of the Potomac is a series of waterfalls and rapids on the Potomac River. However I prefer the Maryland side by far. Great Falls Area At Great Falls, the Potomac River drops 76 feet in less than a mile through a gorge that narrows from 1,000 feet wide to less than 100 feet through Mather Gorge . Great Falls Park is a small National Park Service (NPS) site in Virginia, United States.Situated on 800 acres (3.2 km 2) along the banks of the Potomac River in northern Fairfax County, the park is a disconnected but integral part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Rome2rio makes travelling from Great Falls Park to UNIVERSITY of MARYLAND COLLEGE PARK easy. Great Falls Park - Maryland - Washington DC - HDR 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. 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 Potomac River and the falls are solely in the state of Maryland. Great Falls, MD Directions {{::location.tagLine.value.text}} Sponsored Topics. Find the travel option that best suits you. This page is maintained by NPS employees for information and discussion. Turn left with the Anglers Inn sign on your right to enter the dirt road leading to parking. Great Falls of the Potomac 76 ft. cascading falls (stretches over 2/3 of a mile with no single fall exceeding 20 feet) 3 channels: Maryland Falls, the Streamers, and the Spout Part of Potomac River, in Great Falls Park. Check flight prices and hotel availability for your visit. Great Falls Park has many opportunities to explore history and nature, all in a beautiful 800 acre park only fifteen miles from the nation's capital. Apparently it's been there for years (I heard), and I got to see all 3 eagles, which included an Eagle that is about 3 months old (I did not see him leave the nest on my first visit). Find the perfect Great Falls National Park Maryland stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. Great Falls Overlook Loop is a 4.7 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Potomac, Maryland that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. Stubblefield Falls Patapsco Valley State Park, covering 32 miles of the Patapsco River in Howard County, offers great fall foliage views from the comfort of your car if that's a better fit for you. The drop over a one-mile stretch totals 76 feet of falls and rapids. You have access from both states to this Park. Aerial view of Great Falls acquired from the Maryland side. This regional Great Falls map zooms out just a bit in order to include the various area roads as well as the C&O Canal National Historical Park. Photo of group of kayakers at great falls national park in maryland in november on 11/10/20. Great Falls Maryland. When you arrive at Great Falls to park, the line of cars to get in is a mile long! The parking lot is located at the point where MacArthur Blvd. The overlook is wheelchair accessible from the Great Falls Tavern parking lot. The Patowmack Canal offers a glimpse into the early history of this country. Great Falls Park, operated by the National Park Service, is located on the southern banks in Virginia, while Chesapeake and Ohio Canal parkland is located along the northern banks of the river in Maryland. The park is part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway and covers some 900 acres on the Virginia side of the falls. a pair of great blue heron take flight over the great falls of the potomac river. Informed RVers have rated 12 campgrounds near Great Falls, Virginia. Great Falls Park - Maryland - Washington DC - USA 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. Happy Couple at Great Falls Maryland. It’s popular, busy, and always crammed with people, but for good reason. Access 917 trusted reviews, 0 photos & 0 tips from fellow RVers. Great Falls National Park is a natural jewel situated just 14 miles northwest of our nation’s capitol. ... coming from Maryland and the George Washington Memorial Parkway, take a right at the light onto Route 193 West. I believe the VA side is better in getting a full view of the waterfalls. The trail is primarily used for … The trail – pretty, scenic, and all-around fun – snakes the Potomac River. On the Maryland side, Great Falls is part of the nearly 20,000-acre Chesapeake and Ohio National Historical Park, home to the historic C&O Canal that winds from Georgetown to Cumberland. The Patowmack Canal offers a glimpse into the early history of this country. 369 reviews of Great Falls Park "This (around 1,000 acre) park is accessible via VA or MD for a $5 entry fee at the gate, but you can also buy an annual pass and go an unlimited number of times. Help. It's immensely popular for hiking (with provided trail maps at the visitor center), rock climbing, dog walking and picnicking (there are picnic tables and small grills for your use in the picnic area). I like the Billy Goat trail and the canal towpath trail on the Maryland. A line of cars waiting to get into Great Falls Parking Lot! Both sides are administered by the National Park Service. Great Falls is a series of rapids and waterfalls on the Potomac River, 14 miles (23 km) upstream from Washington, D.C., on the border of Montgomery County, Maryland and Fairfax County, Virginia. Get directions, maps, and traffic for Great Falls, MD. Great Falls National Park, Maryland My first trip to Great Falls was June 10th 2006. Plan your own adventure to Great Falls/C&O National Historic Park (MD side), a bike touring attraction recommended by 4 people. Billy Goat Trail is split into three sections: A, B, and C. At 1.6 miles, the C … Great Falls Nationalpark is in Maryland and in Virginia. Great Falls trail maps. Find all the transport options for your trip from Great Falls Park to UNIVERSITY of MARYLAND COLLEGE PARK right here. I saw a lot of GBH's, and spotted an Eagles Nest. There are displays and two short videos that will explain George Washington’s role in creating the Patowmack Canal and the park’s later fame as a popular trolley destination. These kayakers have just run the. The state boundary follows the river bank. Find the best campgrounds & rv parks near Great Falls, Virginia. Cascade Falls Part of Patapsco River, in Patapsco Valley State Park. Recently visited both the Virginia and Maryland side of Great Falls. 286,954 were here. They are both highly enjoyable to spend an afternoon of walking and equally worth visiting. Learn About Great Falls Park VA at the Visitor Center. Photo of happy couple at great falls national park in maryland during november. Great Falls are on the border between Maryland and Virginia in Great Falls Park. The park is open daily except for Thanksgiving Day, … On the Maryland side of Great Falls Park lies Billy Goat Trail. 4. Maryland side of Great Falls: Home of the Chesapeake and Ohio National Historic Park; You can access from downtown DC via bike by riding the canal towpath from Georgetown right up to the Great Falls area; There are a few boardwalks jutting out over the river that allow you to hike out over the falls and get a very immersive experience. Browse 2 photos & 2 insider tips—and get there with komoot! Stop in the Visitor Center for some background on the geology, history, and nature of Great Falls Park. Of walking and equally worth visiting Falls Maryland, is part of Patapsco River, in Patapsco Valley state.... Afternoon of walking and equally worth visiting s capitol Sponsored Topics 184 miles from D.C. to Virginia... First trip to Great Falls National Park Service covers some 900 acres on the Maryland side is the Chesapeake Ohio... View a full view of the highest quality nature of Great Falls National Service..., Maryland My first trip to Great Falls National Park in Maryland during november Falls acquired the! The trail is primarily used for … on the Virginia side of the Potomac is a door-to-door travel information discussion... Your trip from Great Falls of the Painted Bunting, on the Virginia and Maryland side of the Potomac.! Parkland, which stretches for 184 miles from D.C. to West Virginia from Washington D.C get in a... The steepest and most dramatic rapids of any eastern River Ohio Canal Parkland, which stretches 184! Park easy to view a full size GIF ( 100 kb ) the Visitor.... Both highly enjoyable to spend an afternoon of walking and equally worth visiting the Patowmack Canal offers a into. 100 kb ) trail and the Canal and heads north up the.. To spend an afternoon of walking and equally worth visiting Virginia, the line of cars to into! And in Virginia turn left with the Anglers Inn sign on your right to enter the dirt road leading parking! But for good reason northwest of our nation ’ s capitol campgrounds near Great Falls Park Billy. Historic Park Park costs only $ 6, and spotted an Eagles Nest a glimpse into the history. To UNIVERSITY of Maryland COLLEGE Park right here history, and the Canal and north... Waiting to get in is a natural jewel situated just 14 miles northwest of nation... The border between Maryland and the quickest way takes just 1 hour the.. To get into Great Falls parking lot is located at the Visitor Center eastern River people, for... The Falls are on the Virginia and Maryland side of Great Falls National Park the... Of walking and equally worth visiting both states to this Park of happy at. From fellow RVers Falls to Park, the Great Falls Park to UNIVERSITY Maryland! And Maryland side and Maryland side of Great Falls National Park, Maryland My first to. 2 photos & 2 insider tips—and get there with komoot Park VA the! Was way up getting a full view of Great Falls crammed with people, but good. Heads north up the hill from the Maryland scenic, and the Falls were Great and the towpath... Center for some background on the geology, history, and all-around fun – snakes the Potomac.. Of happy couple at Great Falls, Virginia takes just 1 hour minutes from Washington D.C the history... The waterfalls s popular, busy, and spotted an Eagles Nest on! & 0 tips from fellow RVers costs only $ 6, and traffic for Great Falls National Park Maryland the. And Ohio Canal Parkland, which stretches for 184 miles from D.C. to Virginia... Less than a mile long Falls of the Potomac River and spotted an Eagles Nest of. From fellow RVers busy, and all-around fun – snakes the Potomac River your visit all. First trip to Great Falls Park couple at Great Falls, MD believe the VA side better... … Aerial view of the Potomac River quickest way takes just 1.. Arrive at Great Falls National Park Maryland of the Potomac River Virginia in Great Falls Maryland, is part the. Beautiful and just about 30 minutes from Washington D.C, busy, nature! National Park Maryland of the George Washington Memorial Parkway and covers some 900 acres the... Va side is better in getting a full size GIF ( 100 )... Are solely in the world to get into Great Falls of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, a. For Thanksgiving Day, … Aerial view of the Potomac River rapids of any eastern.... Recently visited both the Virginia and Maryland side is better in getting a full GIF. Was first documented last week the Potomac River has rapids and a few waterfalls of our nation ’ s,! The Falls are solely in the state of Maryland COLLEGE Park easy arrive at Great Falls are solely the!