Just 15 miles from Washington, D.C., and down the road from Langley (CIA), Great Falls Park is a National Park Service unit that feels like you are standing in the wilderness, not in the 8th most populated area of the United States. This shows how popular the park is.
It was the first time I had seen a line of people sitting outside the park boundary, waiting for their Uber rides. We got into the park fine, with only a few cars ahead of us, and snagged a parking spot- one with shade, even. By the time we left, the line was halfway back to the main road.
Go early. You will be glad you did. The park has 3 parking lots, all connected by a trail. The middle one, the biggest, is the most popular because it’s by the visitor center, and the paths to the overlooks are mostly paved. There is a lot of parking, just not all is close by.
The waterfalls are, of course, the main draw, as the Potomac River reaches its last real challenge before the tidal basin in DC. After this section, the river widens and heads to the Chesapeake Bay.
There are 3 overlooks. Overlook 1 is the first one and is the “natural one,” where you climb and step up rocks to get increasingly better views.
It’s worth climbing up and up.
Overlooks 2 and 3 are paved and accessible to nearly all. They all have different views.
Overlook 3 gives the best views of the river heading downstream, into Mather Gorge.
You can see across the river to the Maryland side, where people come out onto Olmsted Island to take in the views.
After visiting the overlooks, we headed out to hike the River Trail, heading upstream. This trail goes most of the length of the park; the upper north section follows the Patowmack Canal. The middle section is dry (by all the overlooks); the upper part has water.
It is easy to find the trail from the middle parking lot. Access points are on both ends. The trail is wide and mostly smooth. As you walk, you will pass the upper parking lot, and the River Trail also connects to that lot and the visitor center. Be prepared for large groups who don’t understand single-file on trails. It goes by quickly, and the crowds disappear.
Mine Run is a creek that goes into the canal, then the river. A bridge crosses here.
Ducks, living their best lives.
The canal here is full of water and many birds, including Herons.
American Sycamore. Sporting a distinct, native-to-North-America camouflage bark.
Looking downriver as the trail leaves the canal and follows the river.
Many social trails lead down to the river and canal, and you can wind through them.
You will pass the upper parking lots at the far end, where a grassy meadow is. We left the river and walked the higher trail out of the lot; it was wide and smooth.
Getting close. I could see the line in the distance and wanted to see it up close.
Tiny ferns growing on rock. Once you reach this area, the power boxes and such are a little jarring; however, it is a low-head hydro dam that crosses the river and provides power. It is also where the park ends. A trail connects to Fairfax County Riverbend Park and heads uphill.
You can walk out on the rocks if you want, to get better views. Conn Island is the view in front.
Blue Wood Aster/Heart-Leaved Aster: I found a couple growing in sunny areas, even in the final days of October. Tiny native bees covered it.
Across the river, sits Lock 20 on the C&O Trail.
And with that, we returned the way we came, staying on the main trail.
Takeaways:
Yes, this is a wild urban hike. You can’t avoid the mass of humanity living around the park. It is one of the wealthiest areas in the US, and McMansions and mansions abound anywhere land can be carved out nearby. But you don’t notice that while in the park. You hear the river, the wind, the birds. That is what the National Park System does well, preserving areas before humanity crushes them. Too many people fail to understand that urban areas often need more protection than remote ones. Winter shuts down access to so many NP units, but urban ones stay open year-round. This lets nearly anyone enjoy wild lands, even those who live in cities, don’t drive, and need an Uber ride.
Dogs are welcome on leash. You are forbidden to enter the river for very obvious reasons (don’t be a statistic who goes over the falls and drowns). Entry is $20 per car; the yearly America the Beautiful pass is usually the best choice. On the East Coast, only a few visits to various parks and lands make it worth it.
The one downside was the trash we picked up. Many visitors are not hikers and litter without thinking (see the groups walking 4 abreast down the trail).
Still, I am glad we went. The falls are very inspiring. I live only a couple of miles from the Potomac River, across from Lock 38 of the C&O Trail. The history of the area is pretty profound to learn about. Go prepared for lots of people, but enjoy the moments when it feels like you are alone.
~Sarah