It's true that naked trees may be less attractive than the leaved beauties of spring and summer, but Great Falls, Virginia in the winter is starkly stunning. It is also a great place to breathe fresh air and exercise. Take a canine or human friend and enjoy a few hours exercising, enjoying the natural beauty, and learning about the history of the Patowmack Canal.
- There are three fantastic viewing areas at Great Falls Park. The intensity of the falls changes dramatically with rainfall or melting snow.
- Bare trees afford birdwatching opportunities. Many pileated woodpeckers live in the woods.
- Parking spaces abound and there are no restroom lines.
- Deer are easy to spot and there are many.
- The Visitor Center is open from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and has an interesting and informative chronology of the park's early history, the native plants, and animals.
- A park ranger will provide a free 45 minute Falls Walk on scheduled days.
- Even in winter, some brave kayakers can be seen navigating the rough waters.
- Many picnic tables are in the sun. On a warm day in winter, enjoy a cool picnic.
- Enjoy walking one or more of the six trails, totaling 15.7 miles.
- There are no snakes; they hibernate in winter.
Visiting Great Falls Park, Virginia: Great Falls Park is open every day of the year, from 7 a.m. until dark. The Visitor Center and bookstore are open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. There is an admission fee; free with the National Parks and Federal Recreational Land Passes . Located at 9200 Old Dominion Drive in McLean, Virginia, the park is only about 4.5 miles from Interstate 495 (the Capital Beltway).
Great Falls, Virginia Brief History: In 10,500 B.C. the Paleo-Indians inhabited the area around Great Falls. George Washington took a great interest in the area for development of a canal to allow trade boats to skirt the Potomac River at this dangerous point.
One of five canals designed to improve trade along the Potomac River to the Ohio River Valley, the Patowmack Canal Company operated at Great Falls. Chartered in 1790, the town of Matildaville was developed as the company headquarters and home to its workers. The company went bankrupt and in 1828 its assets were turned over to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company.
In the mid-1800's, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed the Aqueduct Dam at the park's northern boundary to provide water to the District of Columbia. Later the Great Falls Power Company was organized to develop hydroelectric power; it was later sold to the Potomac Electric and Power Company.
Great Falls Amusement Park opened in 1906; a light rail was built from Georgetown to Great Falls and the park was owned and operated by the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad until 1952. In 1966 the Great Falls land was acquired by the National Park Service; Great Falls Park became a unit of the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
"There are no snakes; they hibernate in winter."
I would say that there is no danger of snakes, because the snakes are still there somewhere. They are only hibernated.
By the way, the listed reasons in the blog post are very good. Particularly good for photographers and for people, who interested in photography and for people, who like being in the nature.