Great Falls is one of the most spectacular nature sites in the Washington DC area.

The Great Falls are a series of rapids and waterfalls on the Potomac River. The Potomac River sets the border between Maryland and Virginia and the falls are located 14 miles upstream from Washington D.C. The falls can be viewed from either Maryland or Virginia but it is my opinion that the better view is from Virginia and all of the photos in this post are from the Virginia side.

Overlook sites

There are three overlooks that provide access to view the Great Falls. All three overlooks give you great views of the falls but overlook 1 provided the closest view however it is also requires a little effort to get to the best viewing spots. The photos below were taken from overlook 1.

From overlook 1, the trail goes to a deck with a stone protection wall at overlooks 2 and 3 and they are both wheelchair accessible. The views at overlooks equally as impressive as they are from overlook 1.

Continuing past the falls

After passing all of the cascading waterfalls, the Potomac River returns to its normal flow as it proceeds through the capital city and the city of Alexandria before entering into the Chesapeake Bay.

The Dust on My Shoes

I have always felt that waterfall were something uncommon and a special attraction to see but that is probably because I grew up on the flat lands of the Texas Gulf Coast. For that reason, I always try to see any nearby waterfall during my travels.

Great Falls is a beautiful set of cascades where the waters of the Potomac River rush over a series of drop offs with jagged rocks rising up from the middle of the river which make for dramatic scenery. The three overlook locations provide for nice places to relax and enjoy the power and beauty of nature. After taking in the waterfalls there are trails for hiking to see the natural surroundings along the river banks.

Most people travel to Washington DC for a single purpose, to see historical and political sites in the city. Truthfully, there is more to see in the city than is possible to see on a trip but sometimes the places to see can be overwhelming. Getting into nature for a few hours might be a well needed break from the crowded sites in the city.

Traveling to famous places to see famous sites can get exhausting but seeing something completely different might be the perfect timeout to get recharged before resuming with the more popular locations.

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