Great Falls Park Overlook Trail

Great Falls Park preserves one of the most dramatic natural features in the Washington DC region, where the Potomac River plunges over a series of cascades and roars through Mather Gorge. The Overlook Trail provides multiple viewing platforms above the falls, where the river’s full power is displayed as it drops 76 feet over jagged rocks. The surrounding trail system explores the gorge rim, passes through diverse forest habitats, and follows the historic Patowmack Canal built in George Washington’s era. The proximity to the nation’s capital makes this a popular destination, but the falls’ grandeur and the surrounding natural beauty reward every visit. Spring flooding and winter ice create dramatically different experiences throughout the year.