Entrance Fees and Park Passes

Digital Pass Available for Great Falls

This pass provides access to the Great Falls area of the C&O Canal National Historical Park and Great Falls Park in Virginia. More information.

 

FIND OUT MORE

• Permits Office
• Rent Carderock Pavilion
• Reserve a Campground
• Ride a Canal Boat

Entrance Fees

What Areas Have an Entrance Fee?

The park is free to visit except the Great Falls Tavern area in Potomac, MD. Annual park passes are sold here and are accepted for entry, including America the Beautiful and Every Kid Outdoors passes. Your entrance fees fund projects in C&O Canal National Historical Park.

 

Payment Methods

The park accepts only credit, debit, or contactless payment (such as Apple Pay or Google Pay), cash and check are not accepted.

How Long is the Pass Valid?

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

Digital Pass Available

This pass provides access to the Great Falls area of the C&O Canal National Historical Park and Great Falls Park in Virginia.

Great Falls only - 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.

Great Falls only - 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.

Great Falls only - 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.

Great Falls only - Commercial Tour Entrance Fee (1-6 passengers) - $25.00

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. Fee does not include an additional charge of $10 per person.

Great Falls only - Commercial Tour Entrance Fee (7-25 passengers) - $40.00

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.

Great Falls only - Commercial Tour Entrance Fee (26+ passengers) - $100.00

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.

 

Annual Passes

 

Other Passes

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. Former U.S. Military are eligible, however their dependents are not. Gold Star Families are also eligible Applicants must show a valid Common Access Card (CAC), military ID (Form 1173), Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC), Veteran ID Card, Veterans designation on a state-issued U.S. driver’s license or identification card.

Gold Star Families must fill out a voucher

• 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.

Fee Free Days

Come experience the national parks! On five days in 2023, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. Mark your calendar for these entrance fee–free dates in 2023:

• January 16: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
• April 22: First day of National Park Week
• August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
• September 23: National Public Lands Day
• November 11: Veterans Day

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 the Fee Office for Kyle Lane at [e-mail]

Non-profit Groups

scouts, churches, and clubs

• Vehicles with a passenger capacity of 16 or more persons, $10 per person age 16 and over or commercial rate whichever is cheaper.
• Vehicles with passenger capacity of fewer than 16 persons, $20 for the vehicle.