Field guide
A Great Falls Park hike on the Virginia side
Plan your Great Falls Park hike or run. Get official information on trails, hours, fees, and rules for the fifteen miles of trails on the Virginia side.
Great Falls Park in Virginia offers fifteen miles of trails for hiking and running. The park's main features, the falls overlooks, are a short walk from the visitor center and parking areas.
This page provides information based on official park sources. It covers trail conditions, operating hours, entrance requirements, and key park rules for a safe visit.
Official facts at a glance
- Park location side
- Great Falls Park on the Virginia Side
- Mailing address
- Great Falls Park c/o Turkey Run Park George Washington Memorial Parkway McLean, VA 22101
- Total hiking trails length
- Fifteen miles
- Trail surface
- Packed dirt and gravel, no paved trails
- Park operating hours
- Daily from 7:00 a.m. to thirty (30) minutes after sunset
- Park closure
- Closed on Christmas Day (December 25)
- Entrance payment methods
- Credit/debit cards or tap to pay only, no cash accepted
- Annual pass acceptance
- Great Falls Park annual pass also accepted at C&O Canal National Historical Park
- Other restrooms availability
- Port-a-Potties at Old Carriage Road Trail and Matildaville Trail, open 7:00 a.m to dark (30 minutes after sunset)
- Dog rules
- Must be on a 6 foot or shorter leash at all times, welcome on all park trails
- Swimming and wading
- Prohibited
- Crowd expectations
- High crowds and delays entering the park on weekends, holidays, and when weather is nice
- Falls overlooks location
- Within a five to ten minute walk from the visitor center and parking lots
Sources: Plan Your Visit (nps.gov), Hiking (nps.gov), Operating Hours & Seasons (nps.gov). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
The park's trail system
The park contains fifteen miles of hiking trails. The trail surfaces are packed dirt and gravel. There are no paved trails within the park.
Hours and entrance information
The park is open daily from 7:00 a.m. until thirty minutes after sunset. It is closed on December 25. High crowds and entry delays are common on weekends, holidays, and days with nice weather.
Payment for entry must be made with credit or debit cards, or by tap to pay. Cash is not accepted. The Great Falls Park annual pass is also valid for entry at C&O Canal National Historical Park.
Rules for trail users
Dogs are permitted on all park trails. They must be kept on a leash that is six feet long or shorter at all times.
For safety, swimming and wading in the water are prohibited. In addition to the main facilities, port-a-potties are available at the Old Carriage Road Trail and Matildaville Trail from 7:00 a.m. until dark.
Before you go
- Check the sunset time, as the park closes thirty minutes after sunset.
- Bring a credit card, debit card, or a device with tap to pay for the entrance fee.
- If bringing a dog, ensure you have a leash that is six feet or shorter.
- Expect delays entering the park during weekends and holidays.
- Note that all trail surfaces are unpaved dirt or gravel.
Nearby options: running and active spots in Washington, DC. All cities: City running and hiking guides.