Great Falls of the Potomac (Virginia) Hike
Waterfall · about 76 ft high | Virginia
3 mi round trip
Great Falls of the Potomac (Virginia) Hike at a Glance
The Great Falls of the Potomac (Virginia) hike via the River Trail is 3 mi round trip.
| Falls height | About 76 ft |
|---|---|
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 150 ft |
| Trail | River Trail |
| Distance | 3 mi round trip |
Your time: about 1 h of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 1 h 15 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 570 kcal. No elevation gain is published for this route, so climbing time isn’t included.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 3 mi distance for this hike is verified (nps.gov), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Great Falls of the Potomac (Virginia)
Great Falls of the Potomac (Virginia) is a waterfall in Virginia, about 76 feet high, on land managed by Great Falls Park (National Park Service). Its height is from en.wikipedia.org.
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the River Trail: 3 miles round trip, from Great Falls Park Visitor Center. Distance from nps.gov.
Before You Go
- Great Falls Park charges a $20 parking fee. (washingtonian.com)
- Dogs and other pets must be on a 6 foot or shorter leash at all times and are welcome on all park trails. (nps.gov)
- Swimming and wading are prohibited. (nps.gov)
- This trail can be hazardous in wet weather. (nps.gov)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Great Falls Park (National Park Service) for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Great Falls of the Potomac (Virginia)?
The River Trail to Great Falls of the Potomac (Virginia) is 3 miles round trip.
Where does the Great Falls of the Potomac (Virginia) hike start?
It starts from Great Falls Park Visitor Center.
How tall is Great Falls of the Potomac (Virginia)?
Great Falls of the Potomac (Virginia) is about 76 feet high.
Is there a fee to hike to Great Falls of the Potomac (Virginia)?
Great Falls Park charges a $20 parking fee.
Are dogs allowed on the Great Falls of the Potomac (Virginia) trail?
Dogs and other pets must be on a 6 foot or shorter leash at all times and are welcome on all park trails.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Slippery wet rock near the falls
- Fast, high water after rain or snowmelt
- Check weather before departure
Turn-Around Time
3:00 PM
Plan to reach the falls by this time so you are back before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Point Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Downloads
Sources for The Great Falls of the Potomac (Virginia) Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- nps.gov
- Distance
- nps.gov
- Falls height
- en.wikipedia.org
- Falls location
- gowaterfalling.com
- Elevation
- ≈ Copernicus GLO-90 elevation model at the falls coordinates (via Open-Meteo)
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.
Nearby Hikes
Other hikes within 30 miles of Great Falls of the Potomac (Virginia).