Great Falls - Billy Goat Trail

Potomac, MD

The Great Falls of the Potomac is one of the most dramatic waterfall scenes in the eastern US - churning whitewater rapids cutting through billion-year-old Mather Gorge.

Photography Guide

Best Time: golden hour
Crowds: Busy
Shot Types: waterfallwidelandscape
Best Seasons: springfall

Practical Tips

The Great Falls Overlook gives the main view. Billy Goat Trail Section A has scrambles over rocks to river level. Spring snowmelt creates the most powerful falls.

Gallery

Nearby Places

Photogenic

Potomac, MD

Great Falls - Olmsted Island

A series of boardwalk bridges connects the Maryland shore to Olmsted Island, putting visitors directly above the churning Great Falls gorge - the closest vantage to the falls.

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Hidden Gems

Potomac, MD

C&O Canal at Great Falls

The original 1830s stone locks and lock house at Great Falls form a perfectly preserved 19th-century industrial waterscape along the canal towpath.

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Overlooks

McLean, VA

Great Falls Park

The Virginia side of Great Falls offers more dramatic overlook perspectives of the churning Potomac gorge than the Maryland side, with three overlooks at different heights.

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