A beautiful, accessible waterfall trail runs along the flowing Potomac River, not far from Washington, DC.
Great Falls in Maryland offers visitors an easy way to see multiple waterfalls. The Olmstead Island Bridges trail to the Great Falls Overlook is short enough to make a perfect addition to other hikes in the park but long enough for a fun morning or afternoon out.
We loved capitalizing on our trip to Great Falls in Maryland by doing the Billy Goat Trail. If you’re up for it, it’s so much fun to do both!
If you want an easy stroll to enjoy gorgeous cascades, the guide below will tell you everything you need to know. So, let’s start planning your adventure!
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Where is Great Falls Park in Maryland?
Great Falls is a popular tourist destination. Visitors can view the falls from both Virginia and Maryland.
However, the Great Falls on the Maryland side has a beautiful, accessible trail (the Olmstead Island Bridges Trail) that allows visitors to enjoy even more waterfalls and get a closer look at them.
The trail is located in the Great Falls section of Chesapeake & Ohio National Historical Park in Potomac, Maryland, about 30 minutes from Washington, DC, an hour from Baltimore, and about 2.5 hours from Philadelphia.
Parking at Great Falls Park, Maryland Side
There is a large parking lot at Great Falls in Maryland, off MacArthur Blvd.
The fee to park is $20. However, you can park for FREE with your National Park Pass and Every Kid Outdoors pass.
You can also park at the Angler Inn lot on MacArthur Blvd. However, it’s about a 2-mile walk along the canal towpath to the trailhead to the falls.
This site is very popular due to the waterfalls, the many hiking trails, including the Billy Goat Trail, and the canal towpath. For fewer crowds, plan to visit during the off-season or the week.
Facilities Near Great Falls in Maryland
There are restrooms next to the main parking lot at Great Falls.
The Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center is open on select days and times of the week. During the summer months, they offer canal boat rides!
Be a Responsible Visitor
Places like Great Falls Overlook are popular with visitors, but they can bring trash and other issues. We all need to do our part to keep our parks clean and enjoyable for all.
Remember to pack out all trash (including those fruit peels) and leave behind what you found. Leave no trace so we can all enjoy these parks for years to come.
The Olmstead Island Bridges Trail to the Great Falls Overlook
| Trail Location: | The entrance to the Great Falls Olmstead Island Bridges trail at mile 14 on the C&O Canal Towpath |
| Trail Length: | The trail is 1/4 mile, one way (in total, from the parking lot, it is 1.5 miles) |
| Trail Difficulty: | Easy and accessible to most |
| Trail Type: | Out and back |
| Elevation Gain: | minimal |
| Dog Friendly: | No pets allowed on the trail |
Great Falls Overlook Trailhead
To get to the Great Falls Overlook from the main parking lot, walk south towards the visitor center and then across to the canal towpath.
The trailhead for the Olmstead Island Bridges trail (to the Great Falls Overlook) is about a half-mile walk along the towpath. Entry is marked right before mile 14 on the towpath.
Trail Length
The Olmstead Island Bridges Trail is 1/4 mile, one-way, making it a half-mile out-and-back. If you add the half-mile walk to and from the parking lot, the total length is about 1.5 miles.
If you park at the Anglers Inn lot, the total length will increase to about 4.5 miles, but the walk is along the canal path, which is flat and easy.
Trail Difficulty
The trail to the Great Falls Overlook is easy and accessible to almost everyone. It consists of concrete paths and boardwalk bridges.
There is a slight incline at some sections, which might require assistance for some in wheelchairs. But overall, the trail is flat and free of rocks and roots.
The towpath leading to the trail is also flat and made of dirt and gravel.
Views
The views are the reason you should enjoy this beautiful waterfall trail. As you step onto the trail, you’ll encounter gorgeous falls, beautiful trees, and other foliage.
There are four spots along the trail to enjoy the falls before you reach the main overlook.
The main overlook at Great Falls is a large viewing platform positioned perfectly to see the magnificent falls along the Potomac. If you look across the river, you can see the viewing platforms from the Virginia side.
Timing
Completing the Olmstead Island Bridges trail at Great Falls in Maryland won’t take long.
You can walk to the overlook from the parking lot and back in about 30-45 minutes. Of course, you might want to take some time to enjoy the views along the way!
Other Things to Do at Great Falls Park
Hike the Billy Goat Trail
Great Falls Park in Maryland has many other things to do besides Great Falls Overlook. Hikers will love the multiple trails in the park, including the fun and technical Billy Goat Trail.
Bike or Walk Along the Canal Towpath
Biking is popular along the canal towpath. Bikers can reach Washington, DC, via the towpath, about 16 miles away.
Take a Canal Boat Ride
During the summer months, the National Park Service offers canal boat rides.
Visit the Great Falls Tavern
No longer a hotel and place to eat for travelers along the canal, now the Great Falls Tavern serves as the park visitor center where guests can learn about the canal’s history and get more information about the park.
Wrapping Up Great Falls Trail in Maryland
The Olmstead Island Bridges trail at C&O Canal National Historical Park is a wonderful, easy, and accessible trail near Washington, DC. The gorgeous cascades along the trail and the overlook of Great Falls make this short and sweet trail worth doing. It’s easy to get to from DC and Baltimore and can even be worth the drive from Philadelphia. Definitely add this waterfall trail to your must-do list!
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