Great Falls
Montgomery County, Maryland
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- 46 ft (14 m)
- Location
- Montgomery County, Maryland
- The walk
- About 1 mile round trip
- Ground & access
- NPS describes the boardwalk as ADA accessible and easy. Pets are not permitted on this trail. Do not descend onto rocks or into the river.
Walk from Great Falls Tavern to the Olmsted Island boardwalk for views of the Potomac falls. Stay on the boardwalk and overlook throughout.
Plan your visit
Great Falls Tavern to Olmsted Island boardwalk and overlook
NPS lists 0.25 mile from the tavern to the boardwalk plus 0.25 mile on the boardwalk each way. This is the Maryland approach.
NPS describes the boardwalk as ADA accessible and easy. Pets are not permitted on this trail. Do not descend onto rocks or into the river.
Where to start
Park at Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center in Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Maryland.
Timing & water
Check current access and conditions before travel; the reviewed source does not establish a reliable visiting season.
Before you go
An entrance fee is required at Great Falls.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
Scott's Run FallsCounty park trail route and parking documentedFairfax County, VA3.4 miSE- Stubblefield FallsOfficial trail and parking confirmed; rapids seen from the trailMontgomery County, MD3.7 miSE
- Brambleton Sign/Water DecorationLoudoun County, VA15 miW
- Coe CreekFairfax County, VA20 miS
McKeldin FallsOfficial park area and fees; visitor route documentedCarroll County, MD31 miNE- Cascade FallsOfficial park area and fees confirmed; trail route from park lot not detailedHoward County, MD32 miNE
- Pua FallsClarke County, VA35 miW