Great Falls

Great Falls is a waterfall system on the Potomac River featuring multiple cascading stages that drop over jagged rock formations in a narrow gorge. The river tumbles across several levels, creating white water and deep pools between each drop.

The falls long prevented boats from traveling upriver until a canal was built around them in the late 1700s to support inland commerce. This engineering project marked an early attempt to overcome natural obstacles for economic expansion.

Local communities and visitors gather here to experience one of the region's most powerful natural displays and to connect with the river that shaped the area's development. The falls serve as a gathering place where people pause to witness nature's force.

Multiple viewing platforms let you see the falls from different angles, with the main platform near the visitor center accessible to wheelchairs. The rocks can be slippery when wet, so good shoes and careful footing are important for safety.

The rocks beneath the falls are over 500 million years old and formed during the creation of the Appalachian Mountains. This ancient stone gives the gorge its distinctive shape and character.