Physical / Mobility

 

More Information

• Accessibility
• Deaf / Hearing Loss
• Blind / Low Vision
• Service Animals

Parking

There are three parking lots in Great Falls Park. From late spring through early fall, the lots fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Parking is first come, first served. If you need to use a specific parking lot for your activity, plan to arrive early.

There is a small unloading zone on Old Dominion Drive near the visitor center and picnic area. A curb cut connects the unloading zone to a sidewalk and gravel path leading into the picnic area and towards the visitor center. Please note that the edge where the pavement meets the gravel path is uneven.

 

The visitor center parking lot has the most accessible parking spots.

NPS / Laurel Brodsky

Visitor Center Parking Lot

• Eight designated accessible parking spaces with access aisles at the south end of the parking lot.
• Curb cuts and a paved sidewalk lead to the visitor center.

Lower Parking Lot

• Five accessible parking spaces.
• Quarter-mile on flat gravel trails to visitor center.
• Closest to the south end of the picnic area, the rock climbing areas, and trails downstream of the visitor center.

Upper Parking Lot

• No designated accessible parking spaces.
• No sidewalk or flat gravel path to the visitor center.
• Provides access to the Patowmack Canal Trail and the North River Trail.

 

Restrooms

Visitor Center Restrooms

There are men’s and women’s restrooms in the courtyard of the visitor center. The doors are not automatic. See hours for the visitor center restrooms.

Women’s Restroom

• 1 accessible stall
• 9 standard stalls
• Baby changing table

Men’s Restroom

• 1 accessible stall
• 3 standard stalls
• 4 urinals
• Baby changing table

Trail Restrooms

There are men’s and women’s restrooms with accessible stalls at the north intersection of Old Carriage Road Trail and Matildaville Trail. The path to the restrooms is wide with loose gravel some uneven sections. There is a concrete sidewalk surrounding the building. The doors are not automatic.

 

Visitor Center

See visitor center hours.

 

The north entrance to the visitor center and courtyard has ramps that are accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.

NPS / Laurel Brodsky

Path to the Visitor Center

There is a paved sidewalk between the visitor center and the parking lot.

North Entrance

The paved ramp up to the visitor center is about 75 feet long with handrails on both sides. It has an 8% slope, with two level sections at about 3% slope. At the top of the ramp, the entrance on the left has an automatic push-button door.

The ramp down to the courtyard is to the left of the stairs. It is about 15 feet long with an 8% slope and handrails on both sides.

South Entrance

The ramp on the south side of the visitor center is steep (11% slope) and there is a three-inch lip between the gravel path and the ramp. The doors at the top of the ramp are not automatic.

 

Ask questions and make purchases from the bookstore at the information desk.

NPS / Laurel Brodsky

Inside the Visitor Center

• Information desk staffed with volunteers and rangers. Ask questions, pick up a Junior Ranger booklet, or get a map.
• Bookstore selling t-shirts, books, stickers, and other souvenirs.
• Exhibits about the cultural and natural history of Great Falls.
• Benches throughout the visitor center to sit and rest.
• Children's area with books and activities.
• Auditorium showing videos about Great Falls and the Patowmack Canal Company. There is clear ground space at the front of the auditorium for wheelchairs and mobility devices, but the floor is sloped towards the screen at 6.7%.
• Water fountain and water bottle filler.

 

The courtyard surface is a mix of gravel, compact dirt, and paved areas.

NPS / Laurel Brodsky

In the Courtyard

• Benches and picnic tables. One picnic table on the north side with an extended tabletop for wheelchair users.
• A snack bar, open seasonally. The counter is 44 inches tall.
• Water bottle filling station.
• Men's and Women's restrooms with accessible stalls.

 

Overlook Three has sweeping views up and down the river at Great Falls.

NPS / Laurel Brodsky

Viewing the Falls

There are three overlooks a short distance from the visitor center where you can see Great Falls and Mather Gorge. A gravel path heads south from the visitor center with turn offs for each overlook. Overlooks Two and Three are the most accessible for visitors using wheelchairs or who have mobility disabilities.

Overlook One

• Path with uneven terrain, including rocks, exposed tree roots, and wooden steps.
• No ramp access.
• Closest to the visitor center.
• One side of the viewing area requires climbing over rocks to reach the railing.
• For your safety, do not climb on or over the railings.

Overlooks Two and Three

• Flat paths of compact dirt, gravel, and pavement.
• Wooden ramps with handrails leading to the viewing platforms.
• Benches by the viewing area.

 

Want a good view of the river and the falls? Go to the overlooks where there are viewing platforms.

NPS / Laurel Brodsky

Fisherman’s Eddy

Fisherman’s Eddy is a river access point for experienced boaters and visitors with valid fishing licenses. It is between Overlooks Two and Three. There is a steep gravel path leading to a wooden fence. Beyond the fence you must climb down a slippery rock pile to reach the riverbank.

There is no ramp or alternative path down to the eddy. Please note, wading and swimming are both illegal and dangerous. Read more about river safety.

 

Take a lunch break or have a picnic at the tables by the visitor center.

NPS / Laurel Brodsky

Picnic Area

A large picnic area is located on the south side of the visitor center. The area is unpaved, and the tables sit on grass or mulch. Picnic tables and grills are available on a first‑come, first‑served basis. Some tables have extended tabletops to provide better access for wheelchair users.

 

Old Carriage Road winds through the trees and next to the picnic area.

NPS / Laurel Brodsky

Trails

See descriptions of trails at Great Falls Park.

Most trails in Great Falls Park are rocky and do not have a smooth, flat trail surface. Sections of Old Carriage Road (closest to the visitor center) and the Patowmack Canal Trail (from the visitor center to the Patowmack Canal Holding Basin) are wide gravel paths mostly free of rocks and tree roots.

Speak with a ranger or a volunteer at the visitor center to learn more about trail conditions and to find a trail that's right for you.

 

Park Programs

Depending on the season and staff availability, visitor programs are held on weekends. See our calendar for upcoming special events. Contact us or ask a ranger for more information about physical accessibility for individual programs.

 

Questions?

Please contact us for additional information or for help planning your visit.

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