Great Falls Park is a 800-acre National Park along the Potomac River. The park is riddled with history; first known example of blasting powder used for engineering purposes, the C&O Canal, between 1906 and 1932, the Washington % Old Dominion Railway operated a trolley park at the Falls.
The remains of the 1785 Potomack Canal, the first canal in the United States that used locks to raise and lower boats, which connected the Potomac and Ohio Rivers. The C&O Canal Company created the water highway. The C&O (Chesapeake and Ohio) Canal towpath was used to ship goods to market.
The lock-keeper house was enlarged to accommodate a hotel and tavern to welcome Washingtonians in the 1870's to natural beauty.
ACCESSIBILITY: The park is open during daylight hours. The parking lot provides 200 spaces as well as handicap parking close to the snacking area and picnic tables.
Restrooms are available a short distance from the parking lot along the path to the lock-keeper house and the Falls.
DIRECTIONS: VIA: I-495 :
Take exit 44 for VA-193 (Georgetown Pike). Turn right onto VA-193 west at the stop light at the top of the ramp. Drive about three miles and turn right onto Old Dominion Drive at the stop light. The entrance to the park is about one mile down the road.
Address: 9200 Old Dominion Drive
McLean, VA 22102
Mailing Address:
Great Falls Park
c/o Turkey Run Park
George Washington Memorial Parkway
McLean, VA 22101
McLean, VA 22101
Phone: (703) 757-3101 Visitor information
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