Basic Information

 

 

Enjoy your visit to Great Falls Park!

Explore one of the nation's first canals, see the Great Falls of the Potomac, enjoy a hike along Mather Gorge's dramatic clifftops, and explore the museum exhibits and park film in the visitor center. You can do all of these things and more at Great Falls Park. These pages have information that will help you plan your trip.

Park hours are 7 a.m. until dark, every day. The three falls overlooks are located within a five to ten minute walk from the visitor center and parking lots. Trail maps are available at the visitor center and entrance station.

Expect high crowds and delays entering the park on weekends and holidays when weather is nice. Please come early. Vehicle line to enter park begins around 10:30 am or 11:00 am. Wait time can be as much as 45 minutes to one hour. To expedite entrance payment, please have payment method ready before you reach the window. Exact change is preferred and helps shorten the entrance line by moving vehicles into the park more quickly.

Some things to keep in mind while planning your trip:

  • The busiest times are on nice weekend afternoons. There is usually a line to enter the park on those days.
  • Great Falls is open from 7 a.m. until dark daily.
  • Dogs and other pets are welcome, but must be on a six foot leash and under physical control at all times. Remember to clean up after your pet.
  • Ranger programs are offered on most days. Check with the Visitor Center for details.
  • Alcohol is not permitted in the park.
  • Swimming and wading are not allowed in the park.
  • Picnic tables and grills are available on a first come, first serve basis. No reservations are needed for picnics.
  • There is an entrance fee to enter the park.
  • The snack bar is open seasonally. There are no vending machines in the park.
  • Rules and regulations for Great Falls Park.
 

Parking Lots

Great Falls has three lots with a total of over 500 parking spaces.

Parking Lot

Lower Parking Lot

  • 95 total spaces
  • 0 oversized spaces
  • 38.99345563642985, -77.25462421734011

Live Status

The lower parking lot is closest to the south end of the picnic area, the rock climbing areas, and trails downstream of the visitor center. The walk from the lower parking lot to the visitor center is about a quarter mile on flat gravel trails.

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Parking Lot

Main Visitor Center Lot

  • 253 total spaces
  • 0 oversized spaces
  • 38.99832444328961, -77.25596478491667

Live Status

The main visitor center lot is closest to the visitor center and the three overlooks. A curb cut and paved sidewalk connect the parking lot with the visitor center.

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Parking Lot

Upper Parking Lot

  • 167 total spaces
  • 0 oversized spaces
  • 39.0016275993276, -77.25647059930373

Live Status

The upper parking lot provides access to the Patowmack Canal Trail and the North River Trail. There are no designated accessible parking spaces in this lot, and there is no sidewalk connecting it to the visitor center.

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Great Falls Park
c/o Turkey Run Park
George Washington Memorial Parkway
McLean, VA 22101

Phone:

703 757-3101
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