Great Falls of the Potomac
Though not officially designated a National Park, Great Falls Park on the Virginia side of the Potomac River is operated by the National Park Service. It is named for an area where the current of the Potomac becomes rapid before cascading into the Mather Gorge. The falls are notable not so much for the distance of descent, but rather for width. The river is quite wide at this point and several islands impede the water’s progress before it drops to the narrows below.
Instructions
1. Stop at the Visitor Center, located off I-495 and Georgetown Pike, and become informed of the park’s geology as well has its historical significance in terms of early U.S. commerce. Note that the center is built over a man-made impression in the ground, evidence of the Patowmack Canal, designed by George Washington and named after the Native American pronunciation of the river. The Patowmack’s success prompted construction of the 184-mile C&O Canal across the river on the Maryland side.
2. Stroll along the grassy knolls toward the three overlooks. Notice the flood-marker post standing where two trails intersect. Signs mark the year when there was an extremely high water level, in places well over six feet high.
3. Walk to the first overlook and the closest view of the falls. This is a great location to photograph the falls. The C&O Canal National Historical Park offers a canal boat ride and three very strenuous trails called the Billy Goats. Those visible from the Virginia side have accessed the island trail, which crosses two small islands before reaching the precipice.
4. Walk to the southernmost overlook and view Mather’s Gorge. The Potomac settles into a narrow and deep ravine before retaining is width and shape near Greenway. It is not uncommon to see two or three kayakers practicing on the river current below the falls.
5. Access the River Trail, which follows the rim of the gorge down to where the Patowmack Canal meets the river. The trail will circle back across the canal and continue down to Sandy Landing.
6. Access the Matildaville Trail north from Sandy Landing, via directional signs. Here the visitor can explore the actual remnants of the canal. Leave the trail momentarily and walk into the dry canal bed and through the moss covered stone locks that are well over two-hundred years old.
7. Walk through the remnants of Matildaville; a working settlement with the purpose of keeping the canal, boats and locks in operation. Only piles of stone rubble mark the workshops and dwellings.
8. Return from the dense Virginia wilderness into the park’s picnic area. A stream flows through the eastern part of the area amid a spattering of shade trees, that are beautifully hued in the autumn. Deer are plentiful.
Tags: Great Falls, Falls Park, Falls Park Virginia, Great Falls Park, Mather Gorge, National Park, Park Virginia
