Responsible pet owners walk their dog on leash and on trail! Click the image to learn how to earn your pup's B.A.R.K. Ranger tag!
NPS / ELLA BUCHANAN
Getting Ready to Visit!
Great Falls Park is a wonderful place to experience nature close the D.C. area. Many enjoy taking in the breathtaking views and scenic trails, but it is important to come prepared. Visiting poses a multitude of safety threats, read through tips to make your trip to Great Falls the safest it can be and learn how to recreate responsibly!
Plan Like a Park Ranger:
Your safety is your responsibility. But here are 10 tips from Park Ranger’s to make your trip to Great Falls a safer experience!
Expect to have no cell service- Cell reception is rare and weak in most of the park. Plan a rideshare pick-up before entering the park and have a meeting location with other members of your group in case you get separated. Despite having no cell service, always dial 911 in an emergency.
Have a plan and a backup plan- Plans may change once you are on site. Do your research beforehand in order to adapt on the fly for any necessary changes.
Get a map- Although Great Falls is only 800 acres, we have 15 miles of beautiful trails. Knowing where you are is crucial information to have. Print or download a map or pick one up in the courtyard.
Carry food and water- Salty snacks will replace electrolytes as you sweat. Water is important to carry especially in the summer months. Bring your own water bottle to reduce single use plastic in our park and to start your trip prepared. A free water refill station is available during park hours in the courtyard of the Visitor Center.
Wear closed toed shoes- While it is tempting to wear sandals during the summer, many of the trails are rocky, full of gravel, and have tripping hazards. Wearing closed toed shoes not only helps protect your feet but reduces the risk of losing traction or tripping.
Check current conditions- Storms can roll in quickly which causes the water levels to rise. Section of the trails may be closed to flooding. Always check the Alerts Page, along with the weather conditions for the park. Take weather advisories seriously.
Ask a ranger- Rangers are here to help you decide what activity or trail might be the best fit for your excursion. If you have any questions, always ask a ranger.
Leave only footprints, take only photos- Follow the leave no trace principles to help protect yourself, other visitors, and the park. These principles help reduce your exposure risk and help keep wildlife safe.
Follow the rule of thumb- Many of the wildlife in the park are accustomed to human presence but be sure to keep your distance. Generally, if you can cover the entire animal with your thumb that is fully extended, you are far enough away. However, if an animal is reacting to you at all, you are too close and need to disengage.
Carry the 10 essentials- The 10 essentials can change the course of emergency situations. These are items that are recommended to carry but find what works best for you! Remember to carry valuable items with you and to not leave them in your car.
Use the National Park Service’s Trip Planning Guide to help ensure you are ready for your next adventure!
Planning for T.R.I.P.s
Tiny ticks! Ticks are extremely small, using a tick key or tine tipped tweezers make removal easier.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Ticks:
Great Falls Park is in a county that has 3 common ticks that can transmit diseases. Look out for the Deer Tick (also called Black Legged Tick), the Lone Star Tick, and the American Dog Tick. Protect yourself from tick born disease by doing the following:
Tuck pants into socks and wear long sleeves.
Use repellent – just like mosquitos, ticks do not like certain smells, like peppermint and lemon.
Stay on trail – ticks live in grass and vegetation, protect yourself by walking in the middle of the trail.
Check yourself- as soon as your done hiking, check for ticks. Focus on crevices like armpits, behind the knees, and even in the belly button!
Place your hiking clothes in the dryer for 10 minutes to remove any ticks that may be on them.
Have questions on what to do if you were bitten by a tick? Learn the current CDC recommendations!
Reptiles:
There is a variety of reptiles in Great Falls- but only one you need to be wary of! The copperhead snake is the only venomous reptile in the park, they are part of the pit viper family. If you are bitten by a copperhead or by an unidentified snake call 911 immediately and remove any tight clothing, jewelry or other items around the bite immediately.Local hospitals to Great Falls Park, and across the country, do carry snake antivenin for crotalid snakes, more commonly known as pit vipers.
Poison Ivy changes color throughout the year. The leaves can display as bright green, orange, and a deep red.
NPS Photo
Insects:
There are common stinging insects in Great Falls Park. If you have a known allergy to stings, please ensure you carry your emergency medicine. If you are stung and are showing signs of a severe allergy, call 911. Mosquitos, gnats, and other pesky insects live in the park. Using bug spray or natural repellents may make your trip to the park much more enjoyable.
Plants:
Poison Ivy is found throughout the park. Reduce your risk of being exposed to this rash-inducing plant by staying on trail. Poison Ivy can typically be identified by their three leaves budding from a single stem. There are two phrases to help you identify poison ivy: “Leaves of three, leave them be,” and “A hairy vine is no friend of mine.” While not common or known in the park, Virginia also hosts Poison Oak and Poison Sumac. If you cannot confidently identify plants, do not touch them.
Oh Dip!
In hot summer months, taking a dip in the Potomac River might be tempting. Please remember that swimming and wading is prohibited in the Potomac River in Great Falls. Kayaking and rafting is permitted at your own risk and be aware that PFDs and helmets are required while in water vessels.
Why is the river dangerous?
Great Falls is created by unique geological formation, and the water flowing over it draws many in for spectacular views and adrenaline seeking kayakers. However, swimming and wading is prohibited due to the risk of fatal incidents. These are caused from water moving through the same rocks that create the breath-taking views. These include some of the following:
Caves and Sieves- These are gaps in the rock of the riverbed that can catch and keep people completely submerged in water.
Hydraulics- These are caused water falling and rotating back on itself. These can create scenarios that keep people tumbling, possibly indefinitely.
Swift water- Swift water can pull swimmers downstream. While this might not sound alarming, swift water can cause flush drowning. Flush drowning is when swimmers are caught in rough water and as they get bounced around it causes them to inhale water, eventually leading to drowning.
Potholes- These are extremely deep holes that can be in the riverbed, and often several meters deep. Swimmers can get pulled into these by currents and become trapped
Are you more of a visual learner? Visit this interactive map by the Washington Post that describes more of the dangers of the Potomac River in Great Falls Park. Please note a subscription may be required by the news agency.
Protect yourself and others by staying out of the water and away from the water's edge.
Last updated: October 19, 2024
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Contact Info
Mailing Address:
Great Falls Park
c/o Turkey Run Park
George Washington Memorial Parkway
McLean,
VA
22101