Entrance Fees and Park Passes

Great Falls Entrance Fees to Increase January 1, 2020

Entrance fees for the Great Falls area at both Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (Md.) and Great Falls Park (Va.) will increase on Jan. 1, 2020 as part of the National Park Service’s ongoing efforts to address infrastructure needs and improve future visitor experiences. More information.

 

Great Falls Entrance Station, near Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, collects the only entrance fee to the park; all other access is free. Additonal passes like America the Beautiful Passes and Every Kid in a Park, may be purchased at this location. Over eighty percent of fees collected here return to the park for specific projects.

 

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Great Falls Entrance Fee

Valid for the date of purchase plus six days at C&O Canal NHP and Great Falls Park in Virgina.

Vehicle Entrance Fee - $20.00

Pass is for one private, non-commercial vehicle — passenger cars, pickup trucks, RVs and vans — and is valid at the Great Falls area of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park on the Maryland side of the Potomac River and the Great Falls Virginia side of the Potomac River.

Motorcycle Entrance Fee - $15.00

Pass is for one motorcycle and is valid at the Great Falls area of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park on the Maryland side of the Potomac River and the Great Falls Virginia side of the Potomac River.

Bicycle or On-Foot Entrance Fee - $10.00

Pass is for one person 16 years of age or older — entering on foot or by bicycle — and is valid at the Great Falls area of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park on the Maryland side of the Potomac River and the Great Falls Virginia side of the Potomac River.

 

Annual Passes

 

Active Military Annual Pass

Current U.S. military members and dependents in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard as well as members of the Reserve and National Guard. Applicants must show a valid Common Access Card (CAC) or military ID (Form 1173).

• Free - The pass allows entrance for the pass holder and additional passengers in a single private non-commercial vehicle, or pass holder plus three adults when entering on foot or bicycle.

4th Grade Pass

Only available for 4th grade students. Visit the Every Kid Outdoors website, complete an online activity, print the voucher, and bring it to the Great Falls Entrance Station to recieve your EKO Pass. The 4th grader who completed the online activity MUST be present to recieve the EKO pass.

• Free for the school year, September through August - The pass allows entrance for the pass holder and additional passengers in a single private non-commercial vehicle, or pass holder plus three adults when entering on foot or bicycle.

Senior Lifetime Pass

Valid for the lifetime of the passholder.

• $80 - Available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents aged 62 or older. The pass allows entrance for the pass holder and additional passengers in a single private non-commercial vehicle, or pass holder plus three adults when entering on foot or bicycle. Passes can be purchased in person, online, or through the mail. If you purchase your pass in person, you can only buy a pass for YOURSELF. You cannot purchase a pass for someone who is not present at the time.

Access Pass

Available for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a permanent disability. Valid for the lifetime of the passholder. Applicants must provide documentation of permanent disability.

• Free - The pass allows entrance for the pass holder and additional passengers in a single private non-commercial vehicle, or pass holder plus three adults when entering on foot or bicycle.

Academic Groups

schools, home-school groups, colleges and universities

• Academic groups visiting the Great Falls area for a park ranger program have an automatic entrance fee waiver. Accredited academic institutions or groups coming to the Great Falls area of the park for a curriculum based visit, not attending a park ranger program must apply for an academic fee waiver. All materials must be provided in order to be considered. A fee waiver is not guaranteed. Allow up to two weeks for processing. Please email this application to Fee Manager Shaun Lehmann at [e-mail]

Non-profit Groups

scouts, churches, and clubs

• Vehicles with a passenger capacity of 16 or more persons, $7 per person age 16 and over or commercial rate whichever is cheaper.
• Vehicles with passenger capacity of fewer than 16 persons, $15 for the vehicle.

 

Great Falls Entrance Fee—Commercial

The commercial pass is valid for date of purchase plus six days at the Great Falls area of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park on the Maryland side of the Potomac River. Please note that fees are based on vehicle capacity and not actual occupants.

Commercial Tour Entrance (1–6 passenger) Fee - $25.00

Plus $5 per person.

Commercial Tour Entrance (7–25 passenger) Fee - $40.00

Commercial Tour Entrance (26+ passenger) Fee - $100.00

 

Other Park Fees

Camping | Carderock Pavilion | Mule-Drawn Canal Boat Rides | Special Park Uses