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Particularly Special Place
Description
This overlook is located on the southeast side of the Visitor Center. It is the closest you can get to the falls, and you won't be disappointed with this up close view of the cascading Potomac River. A short trail leads down to a dirt viewing platform. The rest of the overlook is rocky and will require some easy climbing. Do not go beyond the fences.
Short Walk: The overlook is easily accessed by a short dirt trail located behind the Visitor Center. Overlook 1 is not wheelchair accessible - if you continue to the south, you will come to Overlook 2 and Overlook 3 which are both wheelchair accessible and offer similarly great views of the falls.
Family Friendly: A short, easy walk to a spectacular view of the falls.
Gem Type: Waterfall
Add Your Check-In
Check-Ins
Aug 5, 2021
Gavin Ye
Waterfall was roaring. We got to climb down at a part and see the river from up close.
Sep 16, 2020
Kassandra Rountree
Great views of the falls. Viewpoint 1 had a few rocks and boulders that younger visitors will enjoy scrambling over, and the best view in my opinion.
Aug 29, 2020
Nicholei Jamero
Had a great time hiking with mumuh. Arrived there at around 6 pm and no one at the gate scanned us.
Aug 23, 2020
Allison Keeley
Beautiful :) overlooks are fantastic with some short climbs down to the water. easy walking path high above the river. Tons of people on a COVID.
Nearby Gems
Nearby Trails
1.6
mi
2.6
km
Billy Goat Trail Section A
Intermediate/Difficult
Potomac, MD
|
Intermediate/Difficult
|
Potomac, MD |
Unknown
Update
|
48
|
|
3.3
mi
5.3
km
Great Falls Park - South Loop
Intermediate
Great Falls, VA
|
Intermediate
|
Great Falls, VA |
|
45
|
|
|
3.5
mi
5.7
km
Berma Road to Billy Goat Trail Section A
Intermediate/Difficult
Potomac, MD
|
Intermediate/Difficult
|
Potomac, MD |
All Clear
Update
4 days ago
|
30
|
|
|
8.8
mi
14.2
km
Rock Creek Park Loop: Western Ridge to Valley Trails
Intermediate
Washington, DC
|
Intermediate
|
Washington, DC |
Unknown
Update
|
34
|
|
|
1.3
mi
2.1
km
River Trail
Intermediate
Great Falls, VA
|
Intermediate
|
Great Falls, VA |
Unknown
Update
|
21
|
|
1.6
mi
2.6
km
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Loop
Easy
Potomac, MD
|
Easy
|
Potomac, MD |
Unknown
Update
|
6
|
|
|
3.5
mi
5.7
km
Lake Bernard Frank Loop
Intermediate
Rossmoor, MD
|
Intermediate
|
Rossmoor, MD |
Unknown
Update
|
18
|
|
3.3
mi
5.4
km
Lake Shore Trail
Easy/Intermediate
Gaithersburg, MD
|
Easy/Intermediate
|
Gaithersburg, MD |
|
20
|
|
|
191.9
mi
308.8
km
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath
Easy
Washington, DC
|
Easy
|
Washington, DC |
Unknown
Update
|
14
|
|
|
46.3
mi
74.5
km
W&OD Trail
Easy/Intermediate
Baileys Crossroads, VA
|
Easy/Intermediate
|
Baileys Crossroads, VA |
Unknown
Update
|
15
|
Shared by Kristen Arendt
on Feb 3, 2016. All Page
Views: 4,197.
Last Month: 10.
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