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Great Falls Park

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About Great Falls Park:

Great Falls is a National Park - avoid the picnicker rush on pretty weekend afternoons- there is a fee for admission and parking is a premium. The area is a picturesque river gorge with a view of the Falls. The majority of the climbs are on the Virginia side. The rock is partially-metamorphosed schist composed of granite and quartz crystals. While the rock is stable, it is not recomended for trad climbing as protection will slip or break out. Most of the climbs are in the 50 ft. range and tend to be overhanging. Bring plenty of toperope anchor for trees about 15-20 ft. from the edge of the cliff. There are over 100 climbs between 5.5-5.8 and 130 climbs between 5.9-5.12 with the majority of climbs being 5.10 or better. The Virginia side is shaded on summer afternoons. The fall is the best time to climb here and upstream climbs offer sun until late in the day.
Nearest town or city: Great Falls
Directions: From I-495: Take Exit 44 Route 193, also named Georgetown Pike. Take 193 west. Turn right at Old Dominion Drive (approximately 4 1/2 miles). Straight 1 mile to entrance station. Go through entrance and take a sharp right into a parking lot. Additional parking is available past the ranger station and the visitor center.
Latitude, Longitude: 38.99220, -77.23500
Access Issues:
Camping: None
When to Climb:
Quantity of Climbs: Lifetime

Most Recent Photos (See all 59 photos)

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Stans Lead
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Forum Discussions (See all 25 posts )

  Subject Author Replies Last Post
With Replies 08/19 Found Top Rope Anchor celticelement 1 Aug 20 2013, 7:34 PM
With Replies Directions to Aid Box ewalk 2 Jun 11 2013, 6:05 PM
No Replies Great Falls, VA - Found Gear ropeburn 0 May 14 2012, 1:17 PM
No Replies Found Cam cjon3s 0 Jun 01 2011, 7:30 AM
With Replies Great Falls (Near DC) climbing kobaz 1 Oct 25 2010, 10:25 PM
No Replies FOUND: Climber's Guide to the Great Falls of the Potomac Cristoforo 0 Oct 20 2010, 5:13 PM
With Replies Top Roping ceirich0123 2 Aug 26 2010, 5:45 PM
With Replies Anchors/ chains??? HueyFE 8 Dec 20 2009, 12:15 PM
With Replies Newbie Satkye 7 Jun 27 2008, 2:57 AM
No Replies Looking for local climbing partner/s macfilter 0 Jun 16 2007, 7:51 PM
With Replies Climbing partner for Wed 22nd of June? stugreen 1 Jun 23 2008, 6:23 PM
No Replies Climbing this weekend (May 5th-6th) at Great Falls?? bcm3u 0 May 02 2007, 8:18 PM
No Replies Great Falls Adopt-A-Crag Sat, Sep 30, 2006 earthclimber 0 Sep 01 2006, 11:33 PM
No Replies Possibilites- steel is on or off?? deadhorse 0 Jul 30 2006, 6:26 AM
No Replies Balcony Arte Question trad_kid 0 Jun 29 2006, 3:19 AM