Great Falls Park
Hours
See this week's hours below.
- Entrance fee
- $20 · private vehicle
- Phone
- 7037573101
- Address
- 9200 Old Dominion Dr., McLean, VA 22102
About Great Falls
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.
Hours
Park Hours
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.
| Monday | 7:00 AM to Sunset |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 7:00 AM to Sunset |
| Wednesday | 7:00 AM to Sunset |
| Thursday | 7:00 AM to Sunset |
| Friday | 7:00 AM to Sunset |
| Saturday | 7:00 AM to Sunset |
| Sunday | 7:00 AM to Sunset |
Changes to these hours
- December 25, Dec 25: Closed
Entrance fees
| Private Vehicle | $20 | Includes driver and passengers. Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers. Organized groups are not eligible for the vehicle permit. Also valid for entrance into the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Admission to Great Falls Park is valid for seven consecutive days including date of purchase. |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle | $15 | Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. Individuals 15 years of age and younger are admitted free of charge. Also valid for entrance into the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Admission to Great Falls Park is valid for seven consecutive days including date of purchase. |
| Per Person | $10 | Applies only to people entering by foot, bicycle, or horse. Individuals 15 years of age and younger are admitted free of charge. Also valid for entrance into the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Admission to Great Falls Park is valid for seven consecutive days including date of purchase. |
| Non-commercial Groups | $100 | Includes church groups, college/school groups, scouts, service organizations, military, etc. All holders of annual passes and those under 15 years old will be exempt from payment of fees. Non-Commercial Groups in vehicles with a capacity of 15 or less are charged the $20.00 vehicle permit. Vehicles with a capacity of 16 or more are charged a fee of $10.00 per person. Removal of seats from a vehicle does not then qualify for the lower rate. The total fee will not exceed the $100 fee per vehicle. |
| Commercial Van | $40 | Vehicles with capacity of 7-25 passengers: $40. (No per person fee) |
| Commercial Mini-bus | $40 | Vehicles with capacity of 7-25 passengers: $40. (No per person fee) |
| Commercial Sedan | $25 | Vehicles with capacity of 1-6 passengers: $25 plus $3 per person. |
| Commercial Motor Coach | $100 | Vehicles with capacity of 26+: $100. (No per person fee) |
An America the Beautiful pass covers the entrance fee at every site that charges one.
Getting there
From I-495, take exit 44 for route 193 west; continue 4 miles. Turn right on Old Dominion Drive.
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.
Things to do
Guided Tours, Hiking, Kayaking, Paddling, Park Film.
Source: National Park Service data feed, checked September 24, 2026. Hours shown are the Park Service's posted standard hours plus any date changes it lists. Official page for Great Falls ↗