Admire the beauty of Great Falls

For families that enjoy the great outdoors, Great Falls Park in northern Virginia is a well-liked destination. Three viewing locations where you may take in Mather Gorge's thundering Potomac River waterfalls are located close to the park's entrance. The majority of the routes are rated easy to moderate, making them excellent choices for beginning hikers. Some of them may even handle strollers. Try the well-liked River Trail for a greater challenge if you and the kids want it. The southbound route boasts fantastic river views as it reaches the gorge's brink. The trail is roughly 1.5 miles long one way, with several rock scrambles. Take the North River Trail instead to get to Riverbend County Park.

This 1.5-mile one-way trail similarly follows the Potomac to the north. At the visitor center, you'll find bathrooms and seasonal water fountains. There are also tables and grassy spaces where people can have a picnic. Great Falls is situated in McLean, which is roughly 25 miles northwest of Alexandria and 15 miles north of Arlington. On weekends, the parking lot frequently gets full by 10 a.m. The park entry closes when the lot is full, and no street parking is permitted. Previous hikers advised arriving as early as possible to get a site and stay away from crowds. A $20 per car entrance fee is required to enter the park. America the Beautiful passes are also accepted at the park.

Address: 9200 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA 22102

Website: https://www.nps.gov/grfa/index.htm

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