Self-guided Waterfall Hiking Tour in Great Falls National Park
Description
SELF-GUIDED AUDIO TOUR (DOES NOT INCLUDE $20 PARK ENTRY) (Activation Code included in Ticket) Amble along the cliffs overlooking the Potomac River, taking in thundering waterfalls, exciting rock climbing excursions, and the region’s most perilous kayaking spots. On this self-guided audio tour, you’ll have an opportunity to explore a few hidden gems found on the Great Falls Park trails. I’ll also show you one of my favorite, wilder paths at the national park - all guided step-by-step through GPS. You’ll see that there’s much more to Great Falls than its viewing platforms. You'll see areas tourists don't know about, including views of hidden waterfalls, the region's best rock climbing spots, and a route through an abandoned colonial-era city. There are also several opportunities to go off-trail to get up-close with the rapids at the falls. This tour can take up to two hours and, while not especially strenuous, it’s plenty exciting! Note: Entry & Parking at Great Falls is not included.
Tour Options
Itinerary
This is a SELF-GUIDED Audio Tour of Great Falls National Park. The self-guided audio tour begins at the Great Falls Visitor Center. Great Falls Park - the 3rd largest waterfalls in the United States, and one of the largest national parks immediately accessible to Washington DC. With a $20 vehicle access pass (not included in Viator package), you will have full access to the extensive Great Falls Park grounds and trails. The Viator package includes a guided step-by-step audio tour, including a walking map that syncs to your phone's GPS, as well as a narrated tour with over an hour of commentary about Great Falls and its hidden treasures. To ensure an ideal self-guided tour: Because cell phone service can be less than ideal, please download the VoiceMap app and Great Falls Tour before entering Great Falls Park grounds. When using the VoiceMap app, please enable GPS/Location to enable the GPS triggered tour.
An abandoned city once visited by the United States' first president, George Washington. Walk through the ruins of a long forgotten piece of American history.
The third largest waterfalls in the United States. A must see if you're in the Washington DC area. You'll have 3 different viewing platforms for these amazing waterfalls. You'll also have views over the Mather Gorge downstream of the falls, as well as a view of hikers attempting the perilous Billy Goat Trail cliffs and Potomac River cliff rappelling, including Romeo's Ladder and Juliet's Balcony.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Self-Guided Audio Tour. No Tour Guide.
- Cell Phone is required, headphones recommended
- Parking ($20) is NOT included
- Please download the app prior to entering Great Falls Park
Reviews(18)
This seems to be a scam, when I pulled up to the park I had to pay a park entrance fee of $20 and when I informed I already purchased the self guided tour for $20 I was in formed I did not need to purchase that and this has happened to a few others as well she apologized and told me to inform my bank
Sorry to hear there was confusion - please send me a direct message to see how we can make this right. For future travelers: Please note that $20 parking is NOT included, and that this purchase is for an optional hourlong self-guided audio tour at Great Falls National Park. The exclusion of parking fees is noted under: What's included: X Parking Fees X $20 vehicle access pass Additional info - Parking ($20) is NOT included I have further submitted a request to have the "Overview" of the tour include this information, as on occasion, some travelers have not read the "What's included" or "Additional Info" sections. As a tour provider, my goal is to be as transparent as possible about what's included and not included. My last request to include this information in the Overview section was rejected because the website's content team felt it that information was already included. (If I could add that info again, I would)
The audio guide is sensational! I highly recommend it
Amazing experience for our mother daughter trip. We had a great time and got some great pictures. Will definitely go again
Great Falls has several very scenic well maintained overlooks where one can get a very good look at the falls as well as river area. In addition, the path that follows the river is well maintained with a picnic area at one location. For those who want to a leisurely hike to clear the mind this is a good choice. One path leads you path a quiet creek area, while another leads along the river itself. There is not too much of an opportunity to get close to the river itself, lined with rugged and an uneven rockface.
This was a FANTASTIC purchase!! The tour + the gps sync + the fun facts were the perfect addition to our first time at Great Falls Park! Absolutely loved it! Highly recommend
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.
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!
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.
*Read before buying* This is a SELF-GUIDED walking tour. A recording. Not entry to the park. Otherwise it's a good buy.
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!
