Beginning on Saturday May, 23 the National Park Service will allow for greater visitor access to Great Falls Park by reopening its parking lots. The lots will be adaptively managed to ensure visitors are able to enjoy the park and maintain social distance. Park visitors must maintain physical distancing guidelines, avoid congregating in groups larger than 10 people, and avoid closed facilities. However, restrooms at Great Falls Park will be reopened.

Hiking trails remain open but, following guidance from the CDC and recommendations from state and local public health officials, Great Falls Park Visitor Center is temporarily closed, and fee operations have been suspended. The outdoor areas of Great Falls Park are accessible to the public, including trails, picnic areas, overlooks, and greenspaces.

NPS staff are closely monitoring COVID-19 conditions with federal, state, and local authorities. Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia have each issued orders for their residents regarding stay-at-home directives. These provisions allow for essential businesses to operate and allow residents to enjoy the outdoors for exercise, such as walking, hiking, running, or biking.

Visiting a National Park

If you decide to visit your local park, the Park Rangers want to remind you to:

• Limit driving to essential travel only. Find exercise and recreation options that are available within walking or biking distance from your home. 

• Observe the CDC’s guidance of maintaining a distance of six feet from people if you choose to visit a park, go for a hike, or exercise outside.

• Be prepared before you leave and time outings so that you are not dependent on public restrooms — although Great Falls Park has open restrooms, park users will find that public restrooms in many other parks are closed.

• Remember to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and wash your hands frequently. Do not use the trails if you have symptoms of the virus.

• Bring water or drinks — public drinking fountains may be disabled and should not be used, even if operable.

• Bring a suitable trash bag. Leave no trash — take everything out to protect park workers.

•  Carry (and use) hand sanitizer.

Signs will be posted at all affected locations. Park visitors are asked to adhere to closure notices and current social distancing recommendations.