• Great Falls of the Potomac in summer

    Great Falls

    Park Virginia

There are park alerts in effect.
show Alerts »

  • Trash Free Park

    Great Falls Park is now a trash free park. Trash cans have been removed. Please come prepared to carry your trash out with you. More »

  • River Safety

    Learn more about how to stay safe around the Potomac. Please remember swimming and wading are strictly prohibited. More »

Scenic Photos

  • Floodwaters in the picnic area.
    The Floods of 1996
    9 Photos
  • A view looking downstream near the time that the river crested.
    2010 Flood
    15 Photos
  • A group of whitetail deer in winter
    Mammals
    4 Photos
  • Milk snake sunning itself at Overlook 1
    Snakes
    5 Photos
  • A photo of the Great Falls on an autumn day.
    The Falls
    8 Photos
  • Looking upstream through Mather Gorge during higher water
    Mather Gorge
    6 Photos
  • The Patowmack Company Logo
    The Patowmack Canal
    7 Photos

Did You Know?

Ice in the Potomac and Falls

Water temperatures in the Potomac can drop to freezing and ice will form along the banks. However, the water is moving too quickly through the Great Falls to completely freeze over.