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Great Falls Park: fees, hours, camping and when to visit

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on National Park Service data. Published by Humblebee.

Private vehicle, 7 days
$20[1]
Visitor centers
1[2]

Great Falls Park is a National Park System unit in Virginia[3]. NPS lists a private vehicle entrance fee of $20[1], and fees are paid by card or mobile payment only[4].

Entrance fees and passes

Fees as listed by the National Park Service. Fees change, so confirm on the park's official fees page before you go.

Fee or pass Price
Private Vehicle[1] $20
Motorcycle[5] $15
Per Person[6] $10
Non-commercial Groups[7] $100
Annual Entrance - Park[8] $35

The America the Beautiful pass is accepted here[9].

Entrance fee payment is cashless (card or mobile payment)[4].

America the Beautiful passes cover entrance fees at national parks and other federal recreation sites.

Pass Who can get it Price
Resident Annual Pass[10] US citizens and residents $80
Non-Resident Annual Pass[10] Non-US residents $250
Senior Annual Pass[10] US citizens and residents 62+ years old $20
Senior Lifetime Pass[10] US citizens and residents 62+ years old $80
Military Annual Pass[10] Current US military and dependents Free
Military Lifetime Pass[10] Gold Star Family members and veterans Free
Access Pass[10] US citizens and residents with permanent disability Free
4th Grade Pass[10] US 4th graders Free
Volunteer Pass[10] Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours Free

When to visit and hours

Per NPS, the gates open at 7:00 am[11]. Closing is 30 minutes past sunset, so it shifts from day to day[11]. The park is closed on December 25[11]. NPS describes a four-season Mid-Atlantic climate[12]. Summer is hot and humid, with days in the mid-90's not uncommon[12]. Winter can be cold, and NPS says snow is rare and tends to melt within a few days[12]. Precipitation averages 2-4 inches a month all year[12]. NPS lists 1 visitor center, the Great Falls Park Visitor Center[2].

Pets and dogs

The national NPS pet rule says that where pets are allowed, they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet[13]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings or on designated swimming beaches, with service animals excepted[13]. Each park can close more areas to pets, so check the official park page[13]. NPS marks pets as permitted on both of its listed things to do, the Great Falls Overlooks and the Algonkian Regional Park to Difficult Run hike[14].

Before you go

Questions people ask

How much is the entrance fee at Great Falls Park?
NPS lists $20 for a private vehicle[1], $15 for a motorcycle[5], and $10 per person on foot, bike or horse[6]. Those 15 and younger are admitted free on foot, bike or horse[6].
Can I pay cash at Great Falls Park?
NPS says entrance fees are cashless, so use a card or mobile payment[4].
What are the hours at Great Falls Park?
Per NPS, the park opens at 7:00 am and closes 30 minutes past sunset, which varies daily[11]. It is closed on December 25[11].
Are dogs allowed at Great Falls Park?
Under the national NPS pet rule, pets where allowed must be on a leash no longer than six feet or crated[13]. NPS lists pets as permitted on both of its things to do[14]. The park can close more areas to pets[13].
Does Great Falls Park accept the America the Beautiful pass?
Yes, NPS says the park accepts it for entrance[9]. NPS lists the Resident Annual Pass at $80[10].

Facts and sources

  1. Entrance fee, Private Vehicle: $20. National Park Service
  2. Visitor centers listed by NPS: 1 (Great Falls Park Visitor Center). National Park Service
  3. Great Falls Park is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: Park) in Virginia. National Park Service
  4. Entrance fees at Great Falls Park are cashless (cards or mobile payment, no cash) according to NPS. National Park Service
  5. Entrance fee, Motorcycle: $15. National Park Service
  6. Entrance fee, Per Person: $10. National Park Service
  7. Entrance fee, Non-commercial Groups: $100. National Park Service
  8. Annual Entrance - Park: $35. National Park Service
  9. Great Falls Park accepts the America the Beautiful (interagency) pass for entrance. National Park Service
  10. America the Beautiful pass prices (table on this page). NPS Passes
  11. Operating hours, Park Hours: Great Falls Park is open from 7:00 am until 30 minutes after sunset. This time varies each day. Great Falls Park is closed on December 25. Listed exceptions: December 25 2026-12-25 to 2026-12-25. National Park Service
  12. NPS weather and seasons overview for Great Falls Park. National Park Service
  13. National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
  14. NPS lists 2 things to do at Great Falls Park: Soak Up Spectacular Views at the Great Falls Overlooks, Hike Algonkian Regional Park to Difficult Run. Pets permitted on 2 of them (Soak Up Spectacular Views at the Great Falls Overlooks, Hike Algonkian... National Park Service

Fees and hours are what NPS lists in its data at the snapshot date. They change: tell readers to confirm on the official park page before a trip. Visits are NPS recreation visits (counted entries, not unique people). Use them only for this park's own months and years, never to rank parks. Campground list and site counts come from NPS and Recreation.gov records. Count fields can differ slightly between the two. The pet rule is the national baseline (36 CFR 2.15). The park may close more areas to pets. Do not claim specific trails allow dogs unless a fact says so.