The Best Hike Near Washington, DC
If you’re looking for a great walk/easy hike near Washington, DC, look no further than Great Falls Park. While McLean may seem like a long way, its only 30 minutes in the car from downtown DC. You can tackle the Billy Goat Trail from the Maryland side, but I prefer the dramatic views from the Virginia side.
Start off the walk with the Overlook of the Falls closest to the Visitor’s Center. The rocks here may look a little daunting, but they afford you the best possible views of the falls. Overlooks 2 & 3 give you a longer view, but in the words of a famous photographer, “Zoom with your feet!”
Make your way through the woods along the Old Carriage Road Trail past the quarry and all the way down to Sandy Landing. The Swamp Trail is a beautiful detour along the way. The views from Sandy Landing are best right after sunrise as the sun lights up the trees around the bend in the Potomac.
On your way back up from the landing, follow the signs for the River Trail. It’s a wonderful rocky path with numerous overlooks and views of the river. Easier than the Billy Goat trail across the river, this still gives you a good sense of the topography of the Potomac Gorge, but isn’t as strenuous.
This trail feels more akin to Coastal Maine than the Mid-Atlantic. You’ll spend most of it hopping over rocks and looking for the best views. Keep an eye out for hikers taking on the Billy Goat Trail across the river.
Great Falls park is perfect at any time of year. My personal favorites are Fall and Winter as I despise the heat and humidity that summer brings. Keep an eye on the official Park Service Twitter account for updates on the parking status. On nice days, the parking lots fill up quickly and the entrance road closes until more spaces open up. My number one tip is to get there early. In October-February sunrise is after the 7am opening time of the Park. Get your National Parks Pass to help skip the lines and avoid paying a fee every time you enter National Parks.
For more tips on how I capture beautiful sunrise photos, check out my tips:
