The River Trail is similar, treks along the Potomac River in the scenic Mather Gorge and is located on the Virginia side. Don’t expect any solitude on a nice, sunny day. Dogs and other pets must be on a 6 foot or shorter leash at all times, and are welcome on all park trails. Difficulty: Moderate The Patowmack Canal Trail is one of the trails that Great Falls Park has to offer, but it certainly isn’t the only. Best time to go for a hike on this trail: All seasons. Use: Hiking only, no horses or bikes. Difficulty: Easy to moderate If you are taking the short River Trail hike, return the way you came, or continue a bit further to the connecting trail. Hikers and horseback riders are asked to respect private property boundary markers as they pass through the section of this trail that lies outside of Great Falls Park. For more parks in the area with hiking and camping opportunities, visit the Nearby Attractions page. Difficulty: Easy to moderate Why go for a hike on this trail: big sweeping vistas of the potomac river, the falls and fun areas to rock scramble and enjoy quiet perch views. The trail on the left leads to the River Trail, while the trail on the right is part of the Patowmack Canal Trail… Box 5021 Great Falls, Montana 59403 (406)-771-1265 ... in Great Falls Park #365 Overall. If you would like assistance in planning a hike, contact us or stop by the visitor center desk. This half mile loop runs between the intersection of Mine Run and the park entrance road, and the fire road that leads to Riverbend Park. Hikers and riders are asked to respect private property boundary markers. Use: Hiking and horseback riding, no bicycles. This is a quiet, shaded trail and is a good location for birdwatching. Difficulty: Easy Hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders can connect to the forty mile long Fairfax County cross-county trail on the Georgetown Pike end. Great Falls Park in McLean has long been one of the most popular parks in Northern Virginia, thanks in large part to its naturally cascading rapids and waterfalls.. Set on the banks of the Potomac River, this 800-acre park has been welcoming visitors for many years, since well before becoming a part of the National Park Service (NPS) in 1966. The trail is narrow and exposed to the cliffside in some areas, so keep a very close eye on young hikers. 22101, Download the official NPS app before your next visit, Download the printable Great Falls Park trail map. They look especially dramatic against a blue winter sky. Matildaville Trail – 2.2 miles. For your safety, bring water, dress for the weather, and wear appropriate footgear. After traveling a two-lane road that provides views of the expansive high plains and agricultural land, you will arrive at the viewing point of the Great Falls, located at 160 Ryan Dam Road . Sturdy shoes are recommended. All the water you see cascading over the falls is about to squeeze into narrow Mather Gorge. Hikers can pick up a brochure for the self-guided tour of the Canal at the visitor center. The best view of The Great Falls is done from the highest peak at Ryan Island Park, which is accessed from a suspension bridge across the Missouri River. Difficulty: Easy to moderate The Matildaville Trail parallels the Old Carriage Road, but it feels like a real trail. Thousands of boats passed through the Great Falls canal. No horses or bicycles. The trail is 4.9 miles roundtrip and is estimated to take 2.5 hours. Your Great Falls Park annual pass is also accepted at C&O Canal National Historical Park, on the Maryland side. Visit C&O's hiking page for trail details and hiking tips. If you are interested in a round-trip hike from Great Falls Park to Riverbend Park, you can download a trail map for Riverbend Park to help plan your route. There are restrooms at the Visitor Center and, in season, near the start of the Matildaville Trail. Once we watched a helicopter flying through the gorge on a a training run. From the northern end of this trail, you can connect to the North River Trail that takes you out of Great Falls Park and into Riverbend Park. Great Falls Park is situated on the banks of the Potomac River and encompasses 800 beautiful acres of land in Fairfax County, Virginia. Several connecting trails make it easy to create loop hikes of varying lengths and difficulty. From thundering falls to placid-looking shallows, deadly hazards lurk in water all along the Potomac River Gorge. Soon, the path veers away from the river and crosses the Canal Cut, where the historic Patowmack Canal allowed boats to re-enter the river. Access this trail from the fire road at the top end of the parking lots, near Clay Pond. Virtual Tour of River Trail. The path is narrow as it … This hike is a wonderful way to explore a quieter section of popular Great Falls Park. The Virginia park offers 15 miles of hiking trails through the woods and along the falls. Hiking is just one of the activities you can enjoy at Great Falls Park. The Great River State Trail links to the La Crosse River State Trail via a short road route in the city of La Crosse. We do recommend allowing extra time to stop and enjoy the scenic views and historic ruins. Several trails connect to the River Trail, so you can create a loop hike with the distance and difficulty that best suits your group. Bicycles will need to be carried. To hike the entire trail, park in the upper parking lot and follow the trail towards the visitor center. There are plenty of spots to stop for lunch and enjoy the view (carefully!). Length: 1.5 miles, one-way Lichen, sand, and grit on the rocky areas and cliff edges make footing treacherous. The often rocky dirt trail is fairly level for the first mile before it descends to river level, then climbs steeply to a spectacular viewpoint. Access this trail by hiking down the Old Carriage, River, or Matildaville trails. It follows Mine Run for a good portion of its length. Sections of this trail near the vernal ponds will flood after a heavy rain and can become icy in the winter. The Swamp-Ridge connector runs directly up the ridge between the Swamp and Ridge Trails, through a forested area. The trail is narrow and exposed to the cliffside in some areas, so keep a very close eye on young hikers. We only link to products/services we recommend. If you like, follow the steep, paved section down to the Sandy Landing emergency access point. Explore the narrow Mather Gorge where the Potomac River builds up speed and falls over a series of steep and jagged rocks. Some of the links in articles may be affiliate links where we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Turn right and return to the overlook area on the Patowmack Canal Trail. Length: 0.4 miles one way, connecting the fire road to Riverbend Road. 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. Hikers are asked to yield to horses on the trail. Swimming and wading are prohibited in both Great Falls and Riverbend Park. The Great Falls Park Visitor Center offers trail maps, historical exhibits, a 10-minute video presentation on the history of Great Falls Park, an interactive children’s room, bookstore, restrooms, and a concession stand. Don’t have a car? Access the Swamp Trail from one of two trailheads on the Carriage Road trail, or from the Ridge Trail via the Swamp-Ridge Connector. Watch for the large rocky viewpoint to your left known as Cow Hoof Rock. The trail back to the overlooks is lined with trees, including beautiful sycamores with their mottled white bark. Length: 1.6 miles, one-way The terrain is mostly flat with some rolling hills. Since it’s only 18 miles from Washington DC, the River Trail hike is an excellent quick escape from the city. Beyond that point, stroller access may be difficult due to a steep hill. Take note that there are two (2) national parks in the area of Great Falls - Great Falls Park on the Virginia Side (this website), and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park on the Maryland side. 10 More Frame Die Cut Techniques - Duration: 40:01. * Bicycles traveling to Riverbend Road must bypass this trail and continue straight on the fire road. The Swamp Trail runs through a low-lying, swampy area of forest. They are hiking the fantastic Billy Goat Trail from Maryland’s Great Falls Tavern. charles fey/AllTrails Arriving to the park, visitors will be delighted by the network of trails that show off the park's stunning attractions. 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