Great Falls Park

Great Falls Park This page is maintained by NPS employees for information and discussion. Please be considerate of the opinions of others. You participate at your own risk.
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that over thousands of years the Potomac River has carved out the 15-mile-long Potomac Gorge which stretches from Grea...
05/03/2026

that over thousands of years the Potomac River has carved out the 15-mile-long Potomac Gorge which stretches from Great Falls to Georgetown and drops from 140 to 10 feet above sea level?

The fall line, an area of geological transition between the Piedmont Plateau and the Atlantic Coastal Plain is located within the Potomac Gorge.

As a result, the area is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world. The area contains 60 rare plants, including many spring blooms that are showing their colors now!

Photo (NPS): Wide river surrounded by gray and black rocks and green plants.

National Park Service Great Falls Park George Washington Memorial Parkway

This spring, Great Falls Park invites you to explore the stories, science, and history that shape the Potomac Gorge thro...
05/01/2026

This spring, Great Falls Park invites you to explore the stories, science, and history that shape the Potomac Gorge through our special lecture series. This event will be held on May 16 from 10am-1pm in Great Falls Park Auditorium

Learn how the National Park Service’s Mission 66 initiative transformed visitor experiences at Great Falls, and dive into the dramatic geology that carved the river’s iconic falls and cliffs.

Discover the deep human connections to the landscape in People and the Potomac River, then shift your attention skyward with Spring Birds of Great Falls: Migration & Identification, a look at the remarkable species that pass through the park each year.

Finally, explore the rich biodiversity of Great Falls Park, highlighting the plants, wildlife, and ecosystems that make this place one of the region’s most unique natural treasures.

National Park Service Great Falls Park George Washington Memorial Parkway

Please be aware that if you are planning on visiting Great Falls Park next week, the park will be without running water ...
04/24/2026

Please be aware that if you are planning on visiting Great Falls Park next week, the park will be without running water from Monday, April 27 through Friday, May 5 due to a contractor replacing the sewage lift station pumps. Visitors should come prepared with water to drink and while the restrooms will be closed there will be portable toilets available.

🌱WEED WARRIORS TO THE RESCUE!🌱🌿Help Protect GWMP's Natural Beauty - Become a Certified W**d Warrior Volunteer!🌿Non-nativ...
04/17/2026

🌱WEED WARRIORS TO THE RESCUE!🌱

🌿Help Protect GWMP's Natural Beauty - Become a Certified W**d Warrior Volunteer!

🌿Non-native invasive plants pose a serious threat to the health of our park’s natural spaces, but you can make a difference.

🌿Join the team of dedicated volunteers working to preserve and protect the park’s biodiversity. Certified W**d Warrior volunteers are authorized to manage invasive plants at GWMP park sites without direct supervision.

🌿The required two-part training - featuring an online session and in-person training at GWMP - will be held May 13 and May 16, respectively.
Part 1: May 13 from 6:00-9:00pm - Virtual training on Zoom
Part 2: May 16 - participants will receive a link to reserve their in-person training spot and get more information after completion of Part 1 (2 hrs)

🌿Register now to get started: https://secure.everyaction.com/dMHc41zcN0aFtI32Tl6iYw2

🌿Once you sign up, you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to reserve your in-person training slot.

🌿Let’s work together to steward the natural spaces of George Washington Memorial Parkway for this and future generations.

**dWarrior

Check out the beautiful pictures from our Tulip Festival (last weekend)! The tulips are still blooming so plan a visit s...
04/16/2026

Check out the beautiful pictures from our Tulip Festival (last weekend)!

The tulips are still blooming so plan a visit soon! They are at the Netherlands Carillon which is very close to Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial and the US Marine Corps War Memorial

E pluribus unum (Out of many one)....Ever feel like a red tulip in a field/world of yellow tulips? Join the NPS and frie...
04/10/2026

E pluribus unum (Out of many one)....

Ever feel like a red tulip in a field/world of yellow tulips?

Join the NPS and friends this weekend for a fun-filled Tulip Festival to ring in the 250th on the George Washington Memorial Parkway!

All activities are free and all ages are welcome! Music will be played on the bells from 5pm-9pm on Saturday and from 10am-2pm on Sunday. More information: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm...

Date: April 11-12
Time:
April 11- 4:00-9:00 pm
April 12- 10:00 am-2:00
Location: Netherlands Carillon Tulip Garden

National Park Service George Washington Memorial Parkway
#250

Looking for a colorful drive?The tulips are at peak bloom at the Navy and Marine Memorial along George Washington Memori...
04/07/2026

Looking for a colorful drive?

The tulips are at peak bloom at the Navy and Marine Memorial along George Washington Memorial Parkway.

This monument honors members of the U.S. Navy and Marine Services who lost their lives at sea. It is not solely a war memorial but also a tribute to those who died in storms, shipwrecks, and other maritime disasters while serving their country.

George Washington Memorial Parkway links this and other monuments and memorials all the way to Mount Vernon, the home of the First President.

Take some time to drive the scenic parkway and see it at the height of spring!

Photo (NPS): Red flowers in front of a gray monument of waves and birds. The Washington Monument is in the background.

National Park Service George Washington Memorial Parkway

Looking for something to do this weekend?Join us to "Ring in Freedom 250 at the Netherlands Carillon Tulip Festival!” Da...
04/07/2026

Looking for something to do this weekend?

Join us to "Ring in Freedom 250 at the Netherlands Carillon Tulip Festival!”

Date: April 11-12
Time:
April 11- 4:00-9:00 pm
April 12- 10:00 am-2:00
Location: Netherlands Carillon Tulip Garden

Join the Carrilloneurs, Park Rangers and others to welcome spring and Freedom
250 with the annual Tulip Festival. This event offers children activities, ranger programs, and music, all amid the hundreds of blooming tulips. Stay around past sunset to take part in a special night sky program (8:15 pm on April 11) as we see the stars over our nation’s capital!

Fun Facts:
• The Netherlands Carillon is a present from the Netherlands to the United States. Dedicated on May 5, 1960, it stands as a token of gratitude from the Dutch people for America’s liberation of the Netherlands from N**i Germany.
• The 53 bells in the tower mark the structure as a “grand carillon
• A carillon is like an organ but with ringing bells that provide the melody to the music being played.
• Planting tulips at the base of the carillon is a longstanding tradition, and often a first sign of spring together with the Cherry Blossoms on the National Mall.

Photos (NPS): Colorful tulip flowers in front of a large metal tower (Carillon). These photos were taken this past week!

National Park Service George Washington Memorial Parkway
#250

Uh oh! Look what we found!This location looks a bit fishy for this plant!! 🌱Kinda like a fish out of water! 🐟I guess th...
04/01/2026

Uh oh! Look what we found!

This location looks a bit fishy for this plant!! 🌱
Kinda like a fish out of water! 🐟
I guess thats what happens when you plant a trout! 😂

Happy April Fools Day!
Did we give you enough hints?
Any idea what plant this is?

🌼🌺 Spring has sprung on the Parkway! 🌼🌺Heading into DC to see the cherry blossoms?Don't forget that George Washington Me...
03/27/2026

🌼🌺 Spring has sprung on the Parkway! 🌼🌺

Heading into DC to see the cherry blossoms?
Don't forget that George Washington Memorial Parkway is on your way!

Need a nature fix? Or a spring walk? Or a beautiful drive?
We have all of this & more!
Our many sites are filled with scenery, nature, and history!

Wanna learn your trees and flowers?
Here's some of our current blooms for you to figure out!
And visit us on the parkway to see if you can find them too!

Photos (NPS): Flower trivia (thanks to our GWMP staff for the great photos!)

Address

9200 Old Dominion Drive
McLean, VA
22102

Telephone

+17037573101

Website

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