Great Falls Entrance Station, near Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, collects the only entrance fee to the park; all other access is free. Over eighty percent of fees collected here return to the park for specific projects.
America the Beautiful Passes, Senior Passes, Annual Passes, Every Kid in a Park, Access Passes, and Military Passes may be purchased at the Great Falls Entrance Station. More information on these and other passes can be found by visiting the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Program.
Three Day Pass
- $10 - per private, non-commercial vehicle (include motorcycles, passenger cars, pickup trucks, RV's and vans).
- $5 - per person 16 years of age or older when entering on foot or bicycle
Local Annual Pass
Valid for one full year from the month of purchase. Permits access to Great Falls Park, Virginia and the Great Falls area of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park on the Maryland side of the Potomac River.
- $30 - The annual 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.
America the Beautiful Annual Pass
Valid for one full year from the month of purchase.
- $80 - The annual 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 to over 2,500 federal recreation sites.
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.
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.
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.
Annual 4th Grade Every Kid In a Park Pass
Only available for 4th grade students. Visit the Every Kid in a Park website, complete an online activity, print the voucher, and bring it to the Great Falls Entrance Station to recieve your EKIP Pass. The 4th grader who completed the online activity MUST be present to recieve the EKIP pass.
- Free for the school year, September-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.
Commercial Tour
The commercial pass is valid for date of purchase plus two days. Please note that fees are based on vehicle capacity and not actual occupants.
$25 - 1-6 passenger capacity plus $5 per person.
$40 - 7- 25 passenger capacity
$100 - 26+ passenger capacity vehicle
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 shaun_lehmann@nps.gov
Non-profit Groups
scouts, churches, and clubs
- Vehicles with a passenger capacity of 16 or more persons, $5 per person age 16 and over or commercial rate whichever is cheaper.
- Vehicles with passenger capacity of fewer than 16 persons, $10 for the vehicle.
