{"id":"nps-grfa","slug":"great-falls-park","name":"Great Falls Park","designation":"Park","category":"other","categoryLabel":"Other Designation","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"GRFA","designation":"Park","sourceId":"nps-grfa"}],"states":["VA"],"stateNames":["Virginia"],"location":{"lat":38.98776107,"lon":-77.25128326},"bbox":null,"acres":null,"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"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.","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[],"trTypes":[],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/grfa/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":null,"recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Great%20Falls%20Park","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/grfa/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/F3B82E17-CE9F-1035-D33AE07C0819BBD2.jpg","title":"Great Falls","alt":"Water pouring down rocks at Great Falls","caption":"Great Falls, Virginia","credit":"NPS","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C85E2E1-1DD8-B71B-0BD052D2CE78598E.jpg","title":"Great Falls","alt":"Water rushes over jagged rocks","caption":"The Potomac River rushes down the Great Falls on the Virginia-Maryland border.","credit":"NPS","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/F3DA0A97-C846-5EA6-71FA0794AC7D6D2A.jpg","title":"Evening at Great Falls","alt":"Great Falls with a purple sky near dusk","caption":"Great Falls in the Evening","credit":"NPS","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/F135C708-C6AF-5DB7-A09B79EB4A550EC2.jpg","title":"Great Falls Aerial","alt":"An aerial shot of the Great Falls.","caption":"An aerial shot of Great Falls.","credit":"NPS","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/F335ABA6-F22B-DA34-275BEEFF655A9114.jpg","title":"View of Great Falls from Virginia","alt":"Water rushing over rocks","caption":"A view of Great Falls from Virginia","credit":"NPS","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Guided Tours","Hiking","Paddling","Kayaking","Park Film"],"topics":["Commerce","Engineering","Transportation","Canals","Animals","Birds","Geology","River and Riparian","Rock Landscapes and Features","Scenic Views","Watersheds","Waterfalls"],"fees":[{"title":"Entrance - Private Vehicle","cost":"20.00","description":"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."},{"title":"Entrance - Motorcycle","cost":"15.00","description":"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."},{"title":"Entrance - Per Person","cost":"10.00","description":"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."},{"title":"Entrance - Non-commercial Groups","cost":"100.00","description":"Includes church groups, college/school groups, scouts, service organizations, military, etc.\n\nAll holders of annual passes and those under 15 years old will be exempt from payment of fees.\n\nNon-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.\n\nThe total fee will not exceed the $100 fee per vehicle."},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Van","cost":"40.00","description":"Vehicles with capacity of 7-25 passengers: $40. (No per person fee)"},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus","cost":"40.00","description":"Vehicles with capacity of 7-25 passengers: $40. (No per person fee)"},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Sedan","cost":"25.00","description":"Vehicles with capacity of 1-6 passengers: $25 plus $3 per person."},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach","cost":"100.00","description":"Vehicles with capacity of 26+: $100. (No per person fee)"}],"passes":[{"title":"Annual Entrance - Park","cost":"35.00","description":"Valid for twelve months from the date of purchase. Pass is valid at Great Falls Park and C&O Canal National Historical Park for entrance fees only. Admits the pass holder and occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle OR pass holder and three person (16 and older) where per person entrance fees are charged. Not valid for organized groups or concession operated facilities or activities."}],"hours":[{"name":"Park Hours","description":"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.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"7:00AM - Sunset","monday":"7:00AM - Sunset","thursday":"7:00AM - Sunset","sunday":"7:00AM - Sunset","tuesday":"7:00AM - Sunset","friday":"7:00AM - Sunset","saturday":"7:00AM - Sunset"},"exceptions":[{"name":"December 25","start":"2026-12-25","end":"2026-12-25","hours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"}}]}],"directions":"From I-495, take exit 44 for route 193 west; continue 4 miles. Turn right on Old Dominion Drive.","weatherInfo":"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.","contacts":{"phone":"7037573101","email":"gwmp_superintendent@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Great Falls Park Visitor Center","description":"Stop by the Visitor Center desk for trail maps, local information, pamphlets on nearby parks, and information on recreational activities. Volunteers and Rangers will be on hand to answer questions. Explore a wide array of exhibits featuring the Patowmack Canal, geology, recreation, and the flora and fauna of Great Falls. An interactive children's room offers puzzles, coloring activities, and a hands-on exploration table. Restrooms, a water bottle filler, and a concession stand are on the lower level.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/grfa/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm","lat":38.9968764832,"lon":-77.2548205018}],"campgrounds":[],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"chesapeake-and-ohio-canal-national-historical-park","km":1},{"slug":"wolf-trap-national-park-for-the-performing-arts","km":6},{"slug":"george-washington-memorial-parkway","km":9},{"slug":"clara-barton-national-historic-site","km":10},{"slug":"glen-echo-park","km":10},{"slug":"rock-creek-park","km":18}],"hasBoundary":false,"boundarySource":null,"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=grfa"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.614Z","alerts":[{"source":"NPS","kind":"Park Closure","title":"Aid Box Rock Climbing Area Closed","text":"The Aid Box rock climbing area is temporarily closed due to a recent rock topple.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/learn/management/record-of-determination-for-temporary-closure-of-the-aid-box-climbing-area-at-great-falls-park-closure-is-required-due-to-a-geological-event-making-most-climbing-routes-no-longer-accessible.htm","updated":"2026-03-31 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-BCAC8B26-7ADE-40F6-8D05-36D666064F3D"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Temporary Closures of Park Entrance Possible if Parking Lots Become Full","text":"If parking lots become full, there will be a temporary closure of the park entrance at Georgetown Pike & Old Dominion Drive. The park entrance will re-open as soon as space becomes available. For updated information about parking, call Visitor Center at 703-757-3101","url":null,"updated":"2026-03-13 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-2D29B6CC-8C04-424A-802B-1312CA14B682"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/great-falls-park/","boundaryUrl":null}