The Waterfall In Virginia You Can Only Reach By Hiking This 1 6 Mile Trail

It’s no surprise that Great Falls National Park in McLean, Virginia, boasts beautiful waterfalls. The 800-acre park is home to a series of scenic falls as well as access to the Potomac River. For more than a century, the park has been a recreational hotspot for everything from hiking and fishing to picnicking and boating.

There are a few ways you can experience the park and its falls. Three scenic overlooks are located a short hike from the Visitor Center when you arrive.

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These overlooks are the closest you can get to the falls and are a great way to orient yourself within the larger park.

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After that, you can choose from a series of trails offering other views of the park. The River Trail is one of the most popular routes because it provides unparalleled views of the Potomac.

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Some rock scrambling is required on these trails, but it’s worth it for the views of the river and waterfalls from the cliffside you’ll be climbing.

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Waterways aren’t the only natural wonders on this trail. Keep an eye out for the local flora and fauna. Vultures and great blue herons are particularly common in this area of the park.

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For the very bold who aren’t satisfied with a hike alone, consider kayaking along the falls and river. There’s no experience quite like sailing along the whitewater.

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Great Falls National Park is a natural landmark rich with history and awe-inspiring geological features. This park is located right at the crux of a change in the river and falls. The Potomac drops 77 feet here in less than a mile as it rushes towards Chesapeake Bay. That unique shift in the waterway provides some of the most beautiful water views in the state.

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Address: Great Falls, VA, USA