Great Falls Park: Self-Guided Waterfall Hiking Tour
4.2
15 Ratings
McLean

Embark on a thrilling self-guided waterfall hiking tour at Great Falls Park. Discover hidden gems, rock climbing spots, and the region’s most daring kayaking spots. Get ready for an exciting adventure!

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Great Falls Park - Experience a SELF-GUIDED Audio Tour of Great Falls National Park.
    The tour commences at the Great Falls Visitor Center.
    Great Falls Park boasts the 3rd largest waterfalls in the United States and is one of the largest national parks easily accessible from Washington DC. With a $20 vehicle access pass (not included in the Viator…
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What's Included
  • GPS-triggered audio tour
  • Hands-free tour experience
What's Not Included
  • Private transportation
  • Parking fees
  • $20 vehicle access pass
Additional Information

SELF-GUIDED AUDIO TOUR:
(Activation Code included in Ticket)
Stroll along the cliffs with views of the Potomac River, experiencing the majestic waterfalls, thrilling rock climbing adventures, and the area’s most challenging kayaking locations. This self-guided audio tour offers a chance to discover some hidden treasures along the Great Falls Park…

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Location
Great Falls Visitor Center
Old Dominion Drive
Self-guided audio tour starting at Great Falls Park Visitor's Center. Download the VoiceMap App, load the Great Falls Park tour and start at the Visitor's Center. Includes step-by-step directions and map for the tour, all synced to your phone's GPS. Please download/activate GPS before entering Park
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.2
(15 Ratings)
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1 star
Lightpacker308286
Jan 24, 2025
Enjoying viewing Pancake Ice in Potomac River - Having had a consecutive single-digit cold days in January, we six senior then visited Great Falls National Park in Virginia side. We have surprisedly seen pancake ice that are a relatively rare-phenomenon in the Potomac river in the cold days. Some of Pancake ice gathered together. Their features elevated rims formed by piling of frazil ice onto the edges of pancakes when they collide, both due to random bumping into each other and because of periodic compressions at wave troughs. Some of Pancake ice in ones and twos went with the flow.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sandradewinter
Aug 30, 2024
Nature at its best! Informative tour and always the right route at hand! - Fantastic place and great walkable for children. Phenomenal views and excellent guidance via the pre-downloadable voice app (not everywhere in the park so perfect). The app also monitors via GPS whether you are on the trail and provides interesting background and historical information. Recommended! Everything can be done at your own pace!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Emh43016
Jan 16, 2024
Beautiful falls and historic buildings, canal boat - This is a good place to see the powerful water movement of the Potomac River among the large dark rocks. It’s in a beautiful area with lots of beautiful mansions and scenery. The park has bathrooms and parking. The old inn for the canal workers and canal boat and locks are also at this location. It’s about a 1/4 mile walk to the falls overlook from the parking lot. Park entry is $20 for vehicles. The canal boat is covered during the winter.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Julia
Nov 20, 2023
New amazing experience. - Beautiful views and unexpected exercise! I did not expect it to be a hike, but I loved it! Climbing over rocks to be able to see the waterfall was a new experience that I loved. There are other places from which to see the falls that are smooth, but again, I loved the experience of climbing over the rocks. The walk through the woods was amazing and also a new experience. I'm active, but not an outdoorsy person. Again, loved it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jessicab694
Jul 5, 2023
Must see stop - Gorgeous and a fun hike. Handicap accessible viewing and small kid friendly hike option. Such a beautiful and peaceful spot. Pack a meal and have a picnic.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mello_247
Apr 24, 2023
This app played no part in the great experience I had - I bought these $10 tickets for no reason! 1. It was national park day or something and everything was free. That should’ve been stated when I chose the date I’d be arriving. 2. Nothing was explained. It was everyone for themselves so that’s what we did. No point of downloading the app that the confirmation email instructed me to do. A total lack of information from this app side and I won’t be using it again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ediem452
Jul 23, 2023
Beautiful waterfalls and a nice place to get some exercise and relax in the outdoors. - The sights are gorgeous. The visitors' center was under construction when we went, but signs and trail are clear, so not needed. We had four people and I paid the entry fee of $5 per person but there was no one collecting tickets. At the entrance, we just paid $20 for parking. We felt it was okay as just a small donation but maybe people can wait to purchase when they are there, in case it is not needed.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mal_g
Nov 21, 2023
Read, read, read - *Read before buying* This is a SELF-GUIDED walking tour. A recording. Not entry to the park. Otherwise it's a good buy.
Review provided by Viator
472bruceo
Aug 1, 2023
Nope! - Couldn’t figure out how to access it so I didn’t get a chance to use this even though I paid for it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jameshd9428um
Jun 27, 2023
No Cell Service=Bad Experience - I couldn't get the Self-guided Waterfall Hiking Tour to work because there is no cell service at the park. A waste of good money.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Check Availability
From $5
From $5
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
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Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).