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Park · Virginia

Great Falls Park

Park in Virginia. $20 per vehicle. 2 hikes listed.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypePark
StateVirginia
Entrance fee$20 per vehicle
CampgroundsNone
Nearest national parkShenandoah (67 mi)
Closest airportIAD (11 mi)
Water pouring down rocks at Great Falls
Great Falls, Virginia Photo: NPS

Great Falls Park is a park run by the National Park Service in Virginia.

In the park service’s words

At Great Falls, the Potomac River builds up speed and force as it falls over a series of steep, jagged rocks and flows through the narrow Mather Gorge. The Patowmack Canal offers a glimpse into the early history of this country. Great Falls Park has many opportunities to explore history and nature, all in a beautiful 800-acre park only 15 miles from the Nation's Capital.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

  • Soak Up Spectacular Views at the Great Falls Overlooks (1 to 2 Hours): Great Falls Park has many opportunities to explore history and nature, all in a beautiful 800-acre park only 15 miles from the Nation's Capital.
  • Hike Algonkian Regional Park to Difficult Run (3 to 6 Hours): This hike is mostly wooded; some parts are rocky and some can be rocky. But you will see, in some places, exceptional displays of bluebells in spring and colors in autumn. Management partners include Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services; Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority; The Na

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: $20 per vehicle. The America the Beautiful pass covers it.

Hours: Daily, 7:00AM - Sunset. Great Falls Park is open from 7:00 am until 30 minutes after sunset. This time varies each day. Great Falls Park is closed on December 25.

Getting there

From I-495, take exit 44 for route 193 west; continue 4 miles. Turn right on Old Dominion Drive.

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) Dulles, VA No road route 11 Large hub
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) Washington, DC No road route 15 Large hub
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) Baltimore, MD No road route 34 Large hub

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

  • Great Falls Park Visitor Center: Daily, 10:00AM - 5:00PM. Visitor Center is currently open daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visitor Center is closed on Christmas (December 25).

Weather

The Washington, D.C. area has a four-season Mid-Atlantic climate. Summer is hot and humid, and winter can be cold and snowy. Precipitation averages 2-4” monthly, year-round. The average temperature in summer is about 75 degrees F. Summer days in the mid-90's with high humidity are not uncommon. Winters vary in temperature, with the average temperature about 36 degrees F. Snow is rare. When it snows, it tends to melt within a few days.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Shenandoah, about 67 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at Great Falls Park?

$20 per vehicle.

Where is Great Falls Park?

In Virginia. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Washington Dulles International Airport, about 11 miles away.

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