This is a spectacular waterfall on the Potomac River. Water gushes over a series of jagged rocks and flows through the Mather Gorge.

The falls are surrounded by an 800-acre park of the same name – a lovely place to go exploring! 15 miles (24 km) of trails run through the park.

Tyler Diedrick

April 27, 2024

Road cycling

Worth the short hike into the falls! There are racks so you can 🔒 up your bike.

Jamie S.

August 30, 2024

Hiking

Just off the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Trail is a short, approximately quarter-mile footpath across bridges and the floodplain to Olmsted Island and the Great Falls Overlook. From here you get a breathtaking view of the Potomac River as it roars through Mather Gorge.

Nearby routes

Best routes near Great Falls Overlook

4.8

(37)

450

hikers

1. Great Falls Overlook via Billy Goat Trail Section A

9.70km

02:38

50m

70m

Hike the difficult 6.0-mile Billy Goat Trail Section A for rugged rock scrambling, river views, and a challenging adventure near Great Falls

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Hard

hikers

2. Billy Goat Trail and C&O Canal Towpath Loop

11.0km

02:51

60m

Hike the Billy Goat Trail and C&O Canal Towpath Loop, a moderate 6.8-mile route with rock scrambles, river views, and historic canal feature

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Moderate

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3. Great Falls Overlook Trail

1.70km

00:26

20m

This easy 1.1-mile hike in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park offers spectacular views of the Great Falls of the Potomac Riv

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Easy

Details

Informations

Elevation 30 m

Weather

Today

Wednesday 11 March

30°C

14°C

20 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 19.0 km/h

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Take Me There

Location: Potomac, Montgomery County, Maryland, United States

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Horseshoe Bend at Great Falls

Billy Goat A Trail Entrance

Great Falls of the Potomac River

Scott's Run Falls

Difficult Run Trail

High Water Marks at Great Falls Park

Dead Run Waterfalls

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

Washington Aqueduct Observation Platform

Mather Gorge

Great Falls Overlook 1

Great Falls Overlook

Great Falls Overlook

1. Great Falls Overlook via Billy Goat Trail Section A

2. Billy Goat Trail and C&O Canal Towpath Loop

3. Great Falls Overlook Trail

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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