Viewing the Falls

You can only access the falls overlooks by foot. Three overlooks each give different views of Great Falls. All are within a five to ten minute walk from the Visitor Center.

Overlooks Two and Three have ramps and flat gravel paths. Overlook One has wooden steps and a rocky path. See more about accessibility.

For your safety, do not climb or go beyond the fences. You can't swim or wade anywhere in Great Falls Park. It is illegal and dangerous.

 

View from Overlook One

NPS

Overlook One

Overlook One is at the south end of the visitor center. It is the closest you can get to the falls themselves. A short trail with wooden steps leads down to a dirt viewing platform. The rest of the viewing area is rocky and will require some climbing up rocks using your hands to reach the railing.

For your safety, do not go beyond the railing. Falls from this area can cause serious injury or death.

 

View from Overlook Two

NPS

Overlook Two

Overlook Two is farther down the trail from the visitor center. You can see most of the waterfall from here. Take a left on the small wooden footbridge by the Patowmack Canal wayside. A staircase and a ramp lead down to a short, compact gravel path. There is a large wooden viewing platform with benches.

 

View from Overlook Three

NPS

Overlook Three

To get to Overlook Three, follow the gravel trail that goes past Overlook Two and across the second small wooden footbridge. On your left, you will see the High Water Marks Pole with markers showing how high the floods reached. The two viewing platforms at Overlook Three provide the best view of Great Falls. This overlook is the last of the three viewing areas for the falls.

 

The overlook that you see across the river in Maryland is in the C&O Canal National Historical Park. No bridges connect Great Falls Park with the C&O Canal. If you would like to see the falls from the Maryland side, you will have to drive. Visit the C&O website for visitor information and directions.