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2019-09-07 15 10 25 View north towards the Great Falls of the Potomac River from Overlook 1 about 100 feet downstream of the falls within Great Falls Park in Great Falls, Fairfax County, Virginia📷 Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0

Great Falls Park

McLean, VA

Nature

Where the Potomac drops through a series of rapids and cascades into Mather Gorge, seen from three overlooks near the visitor center. Park entrance fee; the lots fill on warm weekends, so arrive before 10 am.

Nearest town
McLean, VA
Category
Nature & parks
GPS
38.9985, -77.2553

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Cold, short days in January. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Featured in these trip guides

Along the Potomac: Mount Vernon, Great Falls and Harpers Ferry – Arlington Cemetery Wreaths Across America 2017© Antony-22 · CC BY-SA 4.0
GWMP
Themed road trips

Along the Potomac: Mount Vernon, Great Falls and Harpers Ferry

83 mi7 stops3 days

Nearby

Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center – Great Falls - 53494036926© TheTurducken · CC BY 2.0
Nature

Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center

Potomac, MD
Arlington National Cemetery – Arlington Cemetery Wreaths Across America 2017© Antony-22 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Editor's pick
History

Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington, VA
George Washington’s Mount Vernon – Former Mount Vernon HS building© Ser_Amantio_di_Nicolao · CC BY-SA 3.0
Editor's pick
History

George Washington’s Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon, VA
Ellicott City Historic District – Disney'sTavern c. 1790© Thayer Young · CC BY-SA 4.0
History

Ellicott City Historic District

Ellicott City, MD

Campsites nearby

  • Lake Fairfax Family CampgroundCampsite
    4 mi from Great Falls Park · 55 pitches
    TentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersWaste disposal
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Burke Lake Park CampgroundCampsite
    16 mi from Great Falls Park
    TentsCaravansDrinking waterWaste disposal
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Cherry Hill ParkCampsite
    17 mi from Great Falls Park
    TentsCaravansElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Little Bennett CampgroundCampsite
    18 mi from Great Falls Park
    TentsCaravans
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Grant Family CampgroundCampsite
    18 mi from Great Falls Park
    TentsDrinking waterToilets
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Greenbelt Park CampgroundCampsite
    19 mi from Great Falls Park · 174 pitches
    TentsCaravansWaste disposal
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip

All campsites in Virginia · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Great Falls Park?

Great Falls Park is in McLean, VA, at GPS 38.9985, -77.2553. It is about 13 mi from Washington.

Can you camp near Great Falls Park?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Lake Fairfax Family Campground, about 4 mi away; within 25 mi there are 20 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

Which road trips pass Great Falls Park?

Great Falls Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Along the Potomac: Mount Vernon, Great Falls and Harpers Ferry.

What is there to see near Great Falls Park?

Places worth a stop nearby: Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center (0 mi), Arlington National Cemetery (13 mi), George Washington’s Mount Vernon (20 mi) and Ellicott City Historic District (31 mi).

When is the best time to visit Great Falls Park?

The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)