Great Falls Park Virginia Outdoor Fun and Stunning Waterfalls

Updated on August 11, 2023 by Julie McCool

Visit Great Falls Park Virginia for stunning waterfall views, excellent hiking, fascinating history, picnics, and more outdoor fun, just 15 miles from Washington DC. Great Falls Park is one of the most popular natural destinations in the Northern Virginia area, frequented by locals and tourists from around the world.

The highlight of Great Falls Park is the waterfalls that give the park its name. The images and videos below show how Great Falls Park waterfalls, rapids, and views change through the seasons.

Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. We will make a small commission from these links if you order something, at no additional cost to you.


Learn more about the park in our complete guide to Things to Do at Great Falls Park VA.

Great Falls Park Waterfall Viewpoints in Virginia

At the Great Falls of the Potomac, the river drops 76 feet in less than a mile. At the same time, the banks narrow from 1000 feet wide to only 60 to 100 feet as the river squeezes through Mather Gorge. As the Potomac drops and narrows it passes over jagged rocks that create a dramatic series of waterfalls and rapids.

Great Falls Park waterfalls in Virginia are easy to view from three waterfall overlooks. Visitors get easy access to stunning views of the falls from several angles. The view changes dramatically with the seasons and water levels, as shown in the images below.

Great Falls Overlook 1 is rocky, so use caution climbing around for different views of the falls. Overlooks 2 and 3 are wheelchair accessible via ramps, and have large viewing platforms.

Overlook 1 is closest to a large section of rocks that jut out from the water.

Rocky Overlook 1 Great Falls Park VA
Rocky Overlook 1 Great Falls Park VA

Overlook 2 is a little further downriver, and has a nice view of the falls and churning rapids.

Great Falls of the Potomac from Overlook 2 Virginia side in January 2016
Great Falls of the Potomac from Overlook 2
Stairs and ramp to Overlook 2 at Great Falls Park Virginia
Stairs and ramp to Overlook 2 at Great Falls Park Virginia

Overlook 3 is a bit further still and offers a sweeping view of the Great Falls Park waterfalls and the Potomac River.

Great Falls Park waterfalls from Overlook 3 Virginia side in October 2014
Great Falls Park waterfalls from Overlook 3 Virginia side in October 2014
Overlook 3 platform Great Falls Park VA
Overlook 3 platform Great Falls Park VA

This relief map created by the National Park Service shows the position of the Great Falls Park waterfall overlooks on the Virginia and Maryland sides of the river. I added notations to make the locations easier to find.

Great Falls Park Virginia relief map with overlook locations noted
Great Falls Park Virginia relief map with overlook locations noted

Great Falls Park Waterfalls and Changing Potomac River Levels

The riverbanks narrow dramatically below the falls, as the Potomac River squeezes into Mather Gorge. That squeezing leads to dramatic flooding events after heavy rains or rapid snow melts. Sometimes that water level is so high it tops the overlooks.

Look at the flood pole near overlook 3 to see high water levels in the 1900s. The most recent marked flood was in 1996. A January blizzard was followed by rapidly warming temperatures and rain. Flood water swamped the park Visitor Center and entry road, leading to closures and repairs. When you stand at the overlooks it's hard to imagine the Potomac River reaching these heights.

Great Falls Park VA Potomac River flood marker
Great Falls Park VA Potomac River flood marker
Overlook 3 flood marker Great Falls Park VA
Overlook 3 flood marker Great Falls Park VA

Less drastic flooding provides an opportunity to see the falls transformed into a raging river. Sometimes, the river is so high that the rocks are barely visible above the water. It's hard to believe that this video from Overlook 1 and photo from Overlook 2 capture the same views as shown above.

High water at Great Falls Park Virginia in March 2011
High Potomac River level at Great Falls Park Virginia in March 2011

Compare the same view from Overlook 1 after spring rains in April 2017. The river level is higher than normal, but not close to the raging torrent shown above.

During the summer, the Potomac River water level drops and some parts of the Great Falls Park waterfalls are just a trickle.

Great Falls Park VA low water in summer
Great Falls Park VA low water in summer

Tracking Potomac River Water Levels

The National Weather Service operates a handy website for tracking the flood levels on the Potomac River and other waterways. You can check the Potomac River Little Falls Gauge to see if and when the river is likely to reach flood stage at Great Falls.

The Little Falls Gauge shows current and predicted river levels near Great Falls. When the hydrograph reaches the orange bar, 10 feet, the river is at flood stage. Scroll down the page to see how the reading translates into likely trail closures.

Potomac River flood gauge
Potomac River flood gauge

The Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service displays water levels from over 7,000 gauges throughout the United States using observations provided by the USGS National Streamflow Information Program.

The Potomac River is always dangerous at Great Falls Park, but lower water levels allow expert kayakers to shoot the falls and navigate the gorge. (Note the orange kayak being carried up the rocks below.) In summer, you might even see rafts and stand-up paddleboards in the river.

This Washington Post article has some incredible photos of people kayaking the falls after snow. Crazy!

One thing you will not see is swimmers. The Potomac current is extremely dangerous and swimming or wading is forbidden.

Great Falls Park kayaker on rocks
Great Falls Park kayaker on rocks

Changing water levels are equally dramatic in Mather Gorge. A flooded torrent in spring becomes a fast-moving but peaceful spot to kayak in summer. The photo below compares Potomac River water levels in the gorge in spring and summer

Compare river levels at Mather Gorge Great Falls Virginia
Compare river levels at Mather Gorge Great Falls Virginia

Tips for Visiting Great Falls Park Virginia

Hiking is a favorite activity at Great Falls Park. A network of easy to moderate trails offer viewpoints, history, geology, and fun throughout the park.

Plan your visit with our complete guide: 8 Great Things to Do in Great Falls Virginia and Tips for Your Park Visit

Check the park website for the latest alerts, occasional closures, and special events.

Here are three of the best hikes in Great Falls Park Virginia:

Park trails offer dramatic views of the river and explore historic sites in the park. This was the site of George Washington's ambitious project to build a navigable canal from Ohio to the Chesapeake. Later, the park was a popular amusement park, reached by cable car from Georgetown. Remnants of both the canal and the town of Matildaville are accessible from park trails.

Rock climbing is another popular park activity for experienced climbers. For a more relaxed visit, there is a large picnic area near the Visitor Center. It's a popular spot for family and friends to gather on weekends.

Great Falls Park is a very popular destination on beautiful Saturdays and Sundays. You should arrive early or prepare to wait in entry lines of an hour or longer. Better yet, if you encounter long lines, head to one of these Great Falls Park alternatives instead.

Great Falls Entrance Fees

Entrance is $20 per vehicle for a 7 consecutive day pass. Individuals entering on a motorcycle pay $15, and on foot, horse, or bike pay $10. The fee also covers entrance to the Chesapeake and Ohio National Historical Park in Maryland over the same consecutive days.

A $35 annual pass is available, but if you plan to make repeat visits, we suggest an annual National Park Pass. The annual pass covers National Park sites across the country including Great Falls Park in Virginia and Maryland plus nearby Shenandoah National Park.

Great Falls Park is located at 9200 Old Dominion Drive in McLean Virginia, just 18 miles from Washington DC. You can reach the park on a Scenic Drive on Georgetown Pike and the George Washington Memorial Parkway.

Great Falls Park Virginia winter sunset
Great Falls Park Virginia winter sunset

The beautiful views that make Great Falls Park so popular also make it dangerous. Keep a close eye on children, especially on riverside trails. Unless you are an expert kayaker, stay out of the water. Even wading is not allowed in the river, and swimming is strictly forbidden. Unfortunately, some visitors ignore the warnings and enter the river. Emergency rescues and drowning deaths occur every year.

Great Falls Park waterfalls are beautiful all year long. Changing Potomac River water levels offer new views of the falls with every visit. Whether you gather with friends for a picnic, or stop by for a hike, you should always make time to enjoy Great Falls Park waterfalls.

Follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Threads, and Twitter for more fun travel in and from Northern Virginia.

Virginia travel, US National Parks with waterfalls. Great Falls Park Virginia offers stunning waterfall views, excellent hiking, history, picnics, and more outdoor fun, just 15 miles from Washington DC.
Virginia Travel, US National Parks, Waterfalls. Great Falls Park Virginia offers stunning waterfall views, excellent hiking, history, picnics, and more outdoor fun, just 15 miles from Washington DC.

This article was published in 2016 and updated in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.

11 thoughts on “Great Falls Park Virginia Outdoor Fun and Stunning Waterfalls”

  1. Looking forward to taking our Texas family there this summer! But don’t think it’ll be as rambunctious as it is after all the rain this spring!

    • We were surprised to discover all of the beautiful parks along the Potomac River when we moved to the area. Great Falls is a stunner and so close to DC. Thanks for the feedback and I hope you get to visit sometime.

  2. What an amazing place to visit! The great falls are beautiful to witness and such an easy day trip destination. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us and providing the key information to help plan our own trip.

Comments are closed.