National Park Service · VA
Great Falls Park
Spectacular Potomac cataracts just 15 miles from DC. River Trail traverses the gorge rim; Difficult Run cuts down to Mather Gorge.
Live · updated
Great Falls will be without running water from Monday, April 27 through Friday, May 5 due to a contractor replacing the sewage lift station pumps. Visitors should come prepared with water to drink and while the restrooms will be closed there will be portable toilets available.
Restrooms located at the North intersection of Old Carriage Road Trail and Matildaville Trail are closed due a water leak. There are portable toilets available at this location.
The Aid Box rock climbing area is temporarily closed due to a recent rock topple.
Trails ranked today
Great Falls VA — River Trail
Rim trail along Mather Gorge with three overlooks of the Potomac cataracts. ~1.5 mi one-way from the visitor center to Sandy Landing / Difficult Run; rocky underfoot, not runnable at speed.
Difficult Run
Stream trail descending from Georgetown Pike (Rt 193) down to the Potomac at Mather Gorge. Less crowded than the main Great Falls overlooks. The Difficult Run trailhead lot on Georgetown Pike is outside the Great Falls Park fee zone — free to access.
Park advisories
If parking lots become full, there will be a temporary closure of the park entrance at Georgetown Pike & Old Dominion Drive. The park entrance will re-open as soon as space becomes available. For updated information about parking, call Visitor Center at 703-757-3101
About this park
Agency
National Park Service.
Official site
Coordinates
38.9980, -77.2540
Trails covered
2 curated routes at this park.