C&O Canal at Great Falls

Potomac, MD

The original 1830s stone locks and lock house at Great Falls form a perfectly preserved 19th-century industrial waterscape along the canal towpath.

Photography Guide

Best Time: golden hour
Crowds: Moderate
Shot Types: widearchitecturereflection
Best Seasons: springfall

Practical Tips

Walk along the towpath north or south from the visitor center. The stone lock walls are beautifully textured. Fall color above the canal is exceptional.

Gallery

Nearby Places

Photogenic

Potomac, MD

Great Falls - Olmsted Island

A series of boardwalk bridges connects the Maryland shore to Olmsted Island, putting visitors directly above the churning Great Falls gorge - the closest vantage to the falls.

anyspring · fall

Overlooks

Potomac, MD

Great Falls - Billy Goat Trail

The Great Falls of the Potomac is one of the most dramatic waterfall scenes in the eastern US - churning whitewater rapids cutting through billion-year-old Mather Gorge.

golden hourspring · fall

Overlooks

McLean, VA

Great Falls Park

The Virginia side of Great Falls offers more dramatic overlook perspectives of the churning Potomac gorge than the Maryland side, with three overlooks at different heights.

golden hourspring · fall