Billy Goat Trail—All Sections

Plan Like A Ranger

A trip to Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park offers you an opportunity to discover historical, natural, and recreational treasures. While preparing for your visit please be aware of closures and current conditions, weather forecasts, and review the safety tips.

 

Adult & child look out from Purplehorse Beach to Potomac River

NPS Photo

 

 

Is the Trail Open?

• Section A of the Billy Goat Trail often closes due to flooding. Under normal conditions, the trail is closed when the gauge at Little Falls reaches 5 feet and reopens when the gauge falls to 4.8 feet. However, under certain circumstances, the trail may be closed at lower levels.
• More than half a dozen trails and paths surround the Billy Goat Trail, including the towpath, Gold Mine Loop, and Ford Mine Trail. Visit our map webpage for more infoand to download a map.
• Please check Current Conditions before your trip to confirm the trail that you want to hike is open.

 

Hikers scramble up a section of Billy Goat Trail Section A

NPS photo/T. Kilbourn-Shear

Choose Your Trail

Located southeast of Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, in Potomac, Maryland; The Billy Goat Trail, one of the busiest trails in the DC area, contains three different sections that total eight miles, each section begins and ends on the towpath. The Billy Goat Trail provides fun and adventure for all ages.

Section A

Level: Technical and Strenuous
Length: 1.75 miles one way
Pets: Not permitted
Closest Parking: Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center
Map and Trail Tips: Great Falls Hiking Map

The hike involves scrambling over angled rocks, boulders and climbing. Visitors in less than optimal health, visitors with small children, and visitors not experienced or properly outftted should consider other trail options. The 1.7 mile hike takes most visitors 2-3 hours to complete. Along the trail are views of Mather Gorge and Potomac River. This trail can close due to fooding from the river.

Recommended ONE-WAY going downstream:

• Start at the upstream entrance near Great Falls and end downstream near Anglers
• One-way travel reduces the number of encounters with other visitors
• One-way travel prevents hiker "jam-ups" at the Traverse and other narrow areas of the trail
• One-way travel protects natural habitats
• The Exit Trail (half way point) will still be two-ways, so hikers can choose just the top half or bottom half of the trail.

Are you ready to hike Billy Goat Trail Section A? Check out our safety video for more information, recommendations, and a preview of trail conditions.

Section B

Section B of the Billy Goat Trail is closed due to trail damage and erosion.

Section C

Level: Easy to Moderate
Length: 1.6 miles one way
Pets: Permitted
Closest Parking: Carderock Recreation Area
Map and Trail Tips: Great Falls Hiking Map

River views and a small waterfall are encountered on this trail. Although there are a few rock outcroppings, most of the trail is wooded.

What to Bring

• Good, comfortable, broken-in, hiking shoes that grip well on rocks and hills. The majority of injuries—sprained ankles, tweaked knees, and falls—happen because people did not wear good shoes.
• 64 oz (2 L) of water per person
• Snacks
• Suncreen and a hat
• Map of Hiking Trails

 

Proceed with Caution

• Don't become a statistic. There are over 400 emergency rescues each year on the Billy Goat Trail.
• Cell phone reception may be unavailable.
• Wading and standing on rocks at the water’s edge are extremely dangerous. One false step can have dire consequences. Fines of $200 or more may be charged for swimming in the Potomac River along the trail. If you’re interested in learning why this part of the river is so deadly, check out this article in the Washington Post.

 

Parking

• Access all three of the sections from the towpath between Great Falls Tavern and Carderock.
  • Billy Goat Trail section A - Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center is the closest access
  • Billy Goat Trail section C - Carderock Recreation Area is the closest accesss

 

Leave No Trace

• Protect fragile plants by staying on the trail.
• Follow the blue blazes that mark the path.
• Hike in small groups.
• Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints. This is a trash free park. If you pack it in, pack it out.
• Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
• Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
• Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
• Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.

 

Hiking Trails of Great Falls, MD

More than half a dozen trails and paths surround the Billy Goat Trail, including the towpath, Gold Mine Loop, and Ford Mine Trail. Visit our map webpage for more info and to download a map.

Great Falls Overlook - The Great Falls Overlook offers a picture-esque view of the Great Falls of the Potomac River. Walk the scenic boardwalk through Olmsted Island, a rare and flourishing ecosystem of thousands of plants and animals. The trailhead is less than a half mile from the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center and is an easy 15-minute walk one-way.

River Trail - The River Trail is an easy hike along a calmer section of the Potomac River. Whether hiking with a group or solo, the River Trail is full of scenic views, wildlife, and a quiet retreat.

 

Great Galls Hiking Trails Map

Photo Credit: NPS

Visit our map webpage to print or download a map.