Great Falls Park, Virginia. George Washington Memorial Parkway, All-American Road
Managed by the National Park Service, this hidden treasure in Virginia is part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. The Potomac river cascades over a series of rocks as it flows through a narrow gorge called Mather Gorge. This was also the place of the first ever locks, and allowed boats to get in and out of the canals and into the river and during the 26 years of its operation, flour, corn, whiskey, furs, tobacco, iron ore and timber were floated down the river on flatboats. The park is an easy drive from Washington D.C. or a harder but more enjoyable bike ride on the banks of the river. There are trails that offer views of the river and Mather Gorge and the many whitewater boats that try to navigate the gorge. Rock climbing is also very popular in the park and climbers do need to register at the visitor center. For the less adventurous the park is perfect for a relaxed afternoon picnic.
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