Great Falls Park Billy Goat Trail
Theodore Roosevelt Island
GREAT FALLS PARK GREAT FALLS , VA .
Arguably the most dramatic stretch of the Potomac is at Great Falls , 15 miles upstream from Washington . Here , a series of rapids and falls flow from heights of up to 76 feet . The 800-acre national park has a visitor center with a short introductory film , plus exhibits on the area ’ s geology , plants and animals .
Get different perspectives of the cascading waters from three overlooks , all within a 10-minute walk of the visitor center .
The park features 15 miles of hiking trails . Ten miles of multi-use trails are open for horseback riding . And five miles of trails , some on former carriage roads , are ideal for cycling . Pack a picnic to enjoy on the grounds , but overnighting is not allowed . www . nps . gov / grfa /
RIVER BEND PARK AND NATURE CENTER GREAT FALLS , VA .
Connected to Great Falls Park via a 2-mile trail , the entrance to this scenic and secluded county park is tucked away down a country lane . Jon boat , kayak and canoe rentals , available Friday through
Sunday from mid-May to mid-October , let you get out on the river to explore nearby islands . The park also sports a picnic pavilion and visitor center . Sign up in advance for periodic guided morning and sunset kayak tours . fairfaxcounty . gov / parks / riverbend-park /
SCOTTS RUN NATURE PRESERVE MCLEAN , VA .
This serene and wooded tract has been a treasured spot for in-the-know residents since the 1970s , when it was saved from development by local activists . A 2-mile loop trail winds from the parking area off Georgetown Pike along Scotts Run . It leads to a delightful waterfall that tumbles into the Potomac . The preserve lacks interpretive facilities , but check the website for occasional birding programs and nature walks . fairfaxcounty . gov / parks / scottsrun /
THEODORE ROOSEVELT ISLAND WASHINGTON
A fitting memorial to the 26th president and champion of wilderness lands , the Potomac River island lies between the Key and Roosevelt bridges and is accessible from a small parking lot via a footbridge . A larger-than-life statue of the Great
Conservationist , as Roosevelt was known , adorns a central plaza on the 88-acre island . But most of the terrain is native forest , swampland and tidal marsh . The island was transformed in the 1930s from overgrown farmland to its natural state according to a plan crafted by the great landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted . Interpretive signage on maintained trails and boardwalks make for leisurely hiking . nps . gov / this /
THE BILLY GOAT TRAIL POTOMAC , MD .
The entire trail is comprised of three sections accessible from the C & O Canal towpath . Section B is moderate and Section C is considered easy . Nevertheless , the most challenging portion , Section A , is also the most popular . It requires scrambling over large boulders and a steep climb along the Potomac ’ s Mather Gorge . But the rewards are spectacular river views and a satisfying workout . Allow two to three hours to complete the 1.7-mile hike . This is popular terrain , so it ’ s best to set out early if you want to avoid crowds . The route is accessible from the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center . nps . gov / choh /
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