Great Falls Tavern & Olmsted Island

Outdoor trails and the towpath are daylight destinations subject to river, flood, weather, and maintenance closures. Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center is currently open Wednesday-Sunday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and closed Monday, Tuesday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Use the entrance-station parking at Great Falls Tavern. The lot fills on pleasant weekends and during high-water viewing; arrive near opening, and never park on MacArthur Boulevard or block emergency access.

Navigate to 11710 MacArthur Boulevard in Potomac for the Maryland entrance. Do not follow directions to 9200 Old Dominion Drive, which is the separate Virginia Great Falls Park entrance across the river.

Accessible restrooms, drinking water, maps, and ranger assistance are available at the Tavern visitor complex during posted facility hours. There are no trash cans along the overlook boardwalk or trails, so pack everything out.

The Great Falls Tavern area is the C&O Canal park's fee area. Current standard passes cost $10-$20 by entry type and the annual Great Falls pass is $35; the site is cashless. Seasonal launch-boat tickets are free but limited and first-come.

Great Falls Tavern and its restrooms are wheelchair accessible, wheelchairs may be available, and the 0.25-mile Olmsted Island boardwalk is described as ADA accessible. Billy Goat Trail A is strenuous scrambling and is not an accessible route.

Leashed pets are allowed on much of the towpath but are prohibited on Olmsted Island, the Great Falls boardwalk and overlook, Billy Goat Trail Section A, and inside park buildings. Carried pets do not bypass those restrictions.

The Tavern, canal locks, towpath, Junior Ranger materials, and Olmsted overlook work well for many families. Billy Goat A requires rock scrambling beside cliffs and fast water and should only be chosen for capable, closely supervised hikers.

There is no practical direct public transit to the Great Falls Tavern entrance. Rideshare pickup and cellular service can be unreliable; arrange the return before arriving.

Section A of Billy Goat Trail frequently closes when the Potomac rises. Check the current conditions page on the visit day, stay out of the river, remain on the Olmsted boardwalk, carry water, and download the official map before losing service.

Bring water and a backup snack unless a currently open concession is confirmed near the exact destination. Food availability, vending, and event vendors are not consistent across this large public place.