Contact Info
9200 Old Dominion Drive (Site Address)
McLean, VA 22101
- Phone:
- 703-285-2965
- Phone:
- 703-289-2513
Basics
- Type:
- Other
Description
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 fifteen miles from the nation's capital.
Hours + Fees
Hours:
Great Falls Park is open daily from 7 a.m. until dark. The Visitor Center is open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily, with extended hours during the spring and summer months
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
Take exit 44 for Route 193, Georgetown Pike. At the top of the exit ramp, there is a traffic light. If you are exiting from I-495 South, coming from Maryland and the George Washington Memorial Parkway, take a right at the light onto Route 193 West. If you are coming from I-495 North (the Inner Loop) from points south or I-66, you will take a left at the traffic light onto Route 193 West. About three miles down the road, you will come to another traffic light at the intersection of Old Dominion Dr. At the traffic light, you will see a sign for the park. Make a right at the light. Old Dominion Drive will dead end at the entrance station, about one mile down the road.
From I-66:
Take the I-495 North exit. Once on the Beltway, take the next exit, Exit 44, and follow the directions from I-495.
From Washington, D.C.:
Take Constitution Ave. NW/US-50 to I-66 W/ US-50 W. You will cross Memorial Bridge. Continue until you reach the US-50 W/ Arlington Blvd/ GW Parkway exit. Turn onto George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP or GW Parkway), north. Follow the GWMP towards I-495. At the interchange with I-495, the GWMP will split, with the right lane going to I-495 north and the two left lanes going to I-495 South. Stay in one of the left two lanes and take the exit that says I-495 South. When you are on the ramp, stay in the right hand lane. This lane will turn into the exit ramp for Route 193, Georgetown Pike. follow the directions from 495.
From Arlington, Rosslyn, Crystal City, and Alexandria:
Take the George Washington Memorial Parkway north towards I-495. At the interchange with I-495, the GWMP will split, with the right lane going to I-495 north and the two left lanes going to I-495 South. Stay in one of the left two lanes and take the exit that says I-495 South. When you are on the ramp, stay in the right hand lane. This lane will turn into the exit ramp for Route 193, Georgetown Pike. Follow the directions from 495.
From Tyson's Corner, Vienna, and Falls Church:
Take Route 7 West. At the intersection with Towlston Rd, take a right. Follow Towlston until you reach Old Dominion Dr. Make a left on Old Dominion. Old Dominion will dead end at the park's entrance station.
From Reston and Herndon:
Take Baron Cameron Dr. until you reach Route 7 (Leesburg Pike). At the light, continue straight. Baron Cameron will turn into Springvale after it crosses Route 7. Continue on Springvale until you reach a traffic light. At the light, make a right onto Route 193 (Georgetown Pike). You will follow 193 through a second traffic light at the town of Great Falls. At the next light, you will see a sign for Great Falls Park. Take a left here onto Old Dominion Dr. One mile down, Old Dominion will dead end at the park's entrance station.
From Sterling, Ashburn, Leesburg, and points west:
Take Route 7 East. Make a left at the intersection with Route 193, Georgetown Pike. Follow 193 through three traffic lights. After the last light in the town of Great Falls, you will drive for approximately three miles until you reach the light at Old Dominion Dr. Look for the park signs. The park will be on your left. Old Dominion will end at the park's entrance station.
From Prince William County and points south:
Take I-95 north until you reach the I-495, I-395, and I-95 interchange (the 'mixing bowl'). Take I-395 N, exit 170A- on the left- toward Washington. You will follow I-395 for about a quarter of a mile. Take exit 170B onto I-495 North towards Tyson's Corner. Follow I-495 until you reach Exit 44 for Route 193, Georgetown Pike. At the top of the exit ramp, there is a traffic light. Take a left at the light onto Route 193 West. About three miles down the road, you will come to another traffic light at the intersection of Old Dominion Dr. At the traffic light, you will see a sign for the park. Make a right at the light. Old Dominion Drive will dead end at the entrance station, about one mile down the road.
Alternate route: Take I-95 until you reach Rt. 7100, Fairfax County Parkway. Take 7100 North. This will allow you to avoid construction taking place at the intersection of 95, 495, and 395. Continue on 7100 North until it intersects with Rt. 7. Follow Rt. 7 East until you reach the intersection with Rt. 193, Georgetown Pike. This will be a left hand turn. Follow 193 until you come to the traffic light at the intersection of Old Dominion Dr. At the traffic light, take a left and follow Old Dominion until you reach the park's entrance station.
From Maryland and points north:
Follow I-95 until you reach exit 27, I-495 (the Capitol Beltway). Stay in the right two lanes and merge onto I-495 West, towards Silver Spring MD. Stay on I-495 until you reach Exit 44 for Route 193, Georgetown Pike. You will see signs for exit 43 and exit 44, as they share an exit ramp. Pass exit 43 (George Washington Memorial Parkway) and take Exit 44 (Route 193). At the top of the exit ramp, there is a traffic light. Take a right at the light onto Route 193 West. About three miles down the road, you will come to another traffic light at the intersection of Old Dominion Dr. At the traffic light, you will see a sign for the park. Make a right at the light. Old Dominion Drive will dead end at the entrance station, about one mile down the road.
