Great Falls
- Height
- 76 ft
- Hike
- 0.5 mi each way
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Not allowed
Great Falls drops about 76 ft on Potomac River in Montgomery County, Maryland. Reaching it is a 0.5 mi hike each way.
Closures and warnings
NPS: do not leave the boardwalk or climb to the rocks or river; the Potomac is unpredictable and dangerous. Pets are prohibited on Olmsted Island, boardwalks, bridges, and overlooks. Canal prism and basins are closed to swimming. As of September 30, 2026.
The falls
| Height | 76 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow note | NPS: cascading rapids and several ~20 ft drops; total about 76 ft elevation drop over less than a mile into Mather Gorge. |
| Swimming allowed | No |
|---|---|
| Current | Strong |
Access
| Hike | 0.5 mi each way |
|---|---|
| Road | Paved |
| Road note | Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center entrance, 11710 MacArthur Boulevard, Potomac, MD (C&O Canal NHP mile 14.3, Lock 20). |
| Parking | Parking at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center; entrance fee required for the Great Falls Tavern area. |
| Fee | Great Falls Tavern: $20/vehicle, $15 motorcycle, $10 walk/bike 16+; annual $35. Cashless; valid at VA side too. |
| Hours | Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center open Wednesday through Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (March through October per Superintendent's Compendium). |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Wheelchair access | Great Falls Overlook boardwalk is ADA accessible (0.25 mi boardwalk one way). |
| Managed by | National Park Service (Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Drinking water | Yes |
| Note | Overlook boardwalk through Olmsted Island; towpath and other trails from Great Falls Tavern. |
Rules
| Dogs | Not allowed |
|---|
Common questions
Common questions
Is Great Falls open?
NPS: do not leave the boardwalk or climb to the rocks or river; the Potomac is unpredictable and dangerous. Pets are prohibited on Olmsted Island, boardwalks, bridges, and overlooks. Canal prism and basins are closed to swimming. As of September 30, 2026. Hours: Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center open Wednesday through Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (March through October per Superintendent's Compendium).
How tall is Great Falls?
Great Falls drops about 76 ft.
Can you swim at Great Falls?
No, swimming is not allowed at Great Falls. A strong current is reported here, use caution.
How long is the hike to Great Falls?
It's a 0.5 mi hike each way. The road in is paved. Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center entrance, 11710 MacArthur Boulevard, Potomac, MD (C&O Canal NHP mile 14.3, Lock 20). Parking: Parking at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center; entrance fee required for the Great Falls Tavern area.
Do you need a reservation for Great Falls?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Great Falls?
The fee is Great Falls Tavern: $20/vehicle, $15 motorcycle, $10 walk/bike 16+; annual $35. Cashless; valid at VA side too.
When is Great Falls flowing?
NPS: cascading rapids and several ~20 ft drops; total about 76 ft elevation drop over less than a mile into Mather Gorge.
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Just outside: George Washington Memorial Parkway (under 0.1 mi) , George Washington Memorial Parkway (0.1 mi) , Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (0.2 mi) .
Sources
5
- https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/greatfallstavernvisitorcenter.htm (accessed September 30, 2026; backs manager / access.roadNote / access.parking)
- https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/fees.htm (accessed September 30, 2026; backs access.fee)
- https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/great-falls-overlook.htm (accessed September 30, 2026; backs access.hikeDistanceMi / access.hikeDistanceBasis / access.wheelchairAccess / rules.dogs, access.amenities / access.roadSurface / access.permitRequired / waterfall.ephemeral)
- https://www.nps.gov/grfa/learn/nature/falls.htm (accessed September 30, 2026; backs waterfall.heightFt / waterfall.flowNote / waterbodyName, swimmerNotes.current)
- https://www.nps.gov/choh/learn/management/superintendent-s-compendium.htm (accessed September 30, 2026; backs access.hours / hazardNote / rules.dogs / swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed)
More: Maryland waterfalls