Self-guided Waterfall Hiking Tour through Great Falls National Park

Doug Z
4.3
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Cancellation Policy
Up to 24 hours before your scheduled admission.
Amyers1228
158 days ago
Amazing experience for our mother daughter trip. We had a great time and got some great pictures. Will definitely go again

SELF-GUIDED AUDIO TOUR: (Activation Code included in Ticket) Amble along the cliffs overlooking the Potomac River, taking in thundering waterfalls, exciting rock climbing excursions, and the region’s most perilous kayaking spots. On this self-guided audio tour, you’ll have an opportunity to explore a few hidden gems found on the Great Falls Park trails. I’ll also show you one of my favorite, wilder paths at the national park - all guided step-by-step through GPS. You’ll see that there’s much more to Great Falls than its viewing platforms. You'll see areas tourists don't know about, including views of hidden waterfalls, the region's best rock climbing and rappelling spots, and a route along the canal and through an abandoned colonial-era city. There are also several opportunities to go off-trail to get up-close with the rapids at the falls. This tour can take up to two hours and, while it’s not especially strenuous, it’s plenty exciting! Note: Parking at Great Falls is not included.

Departure Point

  • Self-guided audio tour starting at Great Falls Park Visitor's Center. Download the VoiceMap App, load the Great Falls Park tour and start at the Visitor's Center. Includes step-by-step directions and map for the tour, all synced to your phone's GPS.Please download/activate GPS before entering Park
Return Details
  • Self-guided audio tour starting at Great Falls Park Visitor's Center. Download the VoiceMap App, load the Great Falls Park tour and start at the Visitor's Center. Includes step-by-step directions and map for the tour, all synced to your phone's GPS.Please download/activate GPS before entering Park
Duration2 hours - 3 hoursLanguages Available
  • Audio guide - English

Points of Interest

Stop At: Great Falls Park9200 Old Dominion Dr, McLean, VirginiaThis is a SELF-GUIDED Audio Tour of Great Falls National Park. The self-guided audio tour begins at the Great Falls Visitor Center. Great Falls Park - the 3rd largest waterfalls in the United States, and one of the largest national parks immediately accessible to Washington DC. With a $20 vehicle access pass (not included in Viator package), you will have full access to the extensive Great Falls Park grounds and trails. The Viator package includes a guided step-by-step audio tour, including a walking map that syncs to your phone's GPS, as well as a narrated tour with over an hour of commentary about Great Falls and its hidden treasures. To ensure an ideal self-guided tour: Because cell phone service can be less than ideal, please download the VoiceMap app and Great Falls Tour before entering Great Falls Park grounds. When using the VoiceMap app, please enable GPS/Location to enable the GPS triggered tour.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Great FallsGreat Falls, VirginiaAn abandoned city once visited by the United States' first president, George Washington. Walk through the ruins of a long forgotten piece of American history.Duration: 10 minutesStop At: Matildaville TrailMatildaville Trail, McLean, VA 22102The third largest waterfalls in the United States. A must see if you're in the Washington DC area. You'll have 3 different viewing platforms for these amazing waterfalls. You'll also have views over the Mather Gorge downstream of the falls, as well as a view of hikers attempting the perilous Billy Goat Trail cliffs and Potomac River cliff rappelling, including Romeo's Ladder and Juliet's Balcony.Duration: 20 minutes

Additional Information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour. No Tour Guide.
  • Cell Phone is required, headphones recommended
  • Parking ($20) is NOT included
  • Please download the app prior to entering Great Falls Park
Inclusions
  • Audio Tour - GPS triggered and hands free
Exclusions
  • $20 vehicle access pass
Redemption InstructionsYour audio tour code: EXPLORE1If you have several visitors in your group, your group can enter the same code to access the audio tour.To access the self-guided tour, please download the free VoiceMap App (available on Google Play and the Apple App Store), and enter the above tour code. VoiceMap Download (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/voicemap-audio-tours/id852027939VoiceMap Download (Android): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=me.voicemap.android&hl=en_US&gl=USPlease download Voicemap and the Great Falls tour before arriving at Great Falls Park - the download speed will be much faster when you are on wi-fi.Before entering the tour code, you’ll need to make a VoiceMap profile to redeem the tour. Your code is listed above.Once the tour is downloaded, it can be viewed under your VoiceMap Account - just select the tour and press start once you have arrived at the Great Falls Visitor's Center GPS location.We recommend downloading the VoiceMap app and the audio tour before entering Great Falls Park, as the cell phone service inside the park can be less than reliable. Please also enable GPS/location when using the VoiceMap app. If your location is enabled in the app before entering Great Falls Park, your phone will be able to accurately use GPS even if you lose cell phone signal.Bring some headphones and a water bottle - it's going to be a great day!Happy hiking!Note: Parking at Great Falls is NOT included, but can be purchased ahead of time on the National Park Service website: https://www.nps.gov/grfa/planyourvisit/fees.htmIf your code is not working, the audio tour can be purchased directly through the following link:https://voicemap.me/tour/washington-d-c/great-falls-park-a-circular-hike-along-the-potomac-riverIf you purchased directly from VoiceMap, please send us a message letting us know, so we can remove the duplicate booking on TripAdvisor.Voucher InfoMobile or paper ticket accepted

The tour identified in this promotion is made available through Viator. Groupon is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Doug Z in connection with this deal. Please contact Groupon customer service for all inquiries related to this offer. Inquiries placed to Viator will be directed back to Groupon. This offer is not eligible for promo codes.

Need To Know Info

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services. Offer is not eligible for our promo codes or other discounts. Learn about Strike-Through Pricing and Savings

Customer Reviews

4.3
based on Groupon 16 reviews
100% Verified Reviews
All Groupon reviews are from people who have redeemed deals with this merchant. Review requests are sent by email to customers who purchased the deal.
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Amyers1228
Amazing experience for our mother daughter trip. We had a great time and got some great pictures. Will definitely go again
bjudo1
Great Falls has several very scenic well maintained overlooks where one can get a very good look at the falls as well as river area. In addition, the path that follows the river is well maintained with a picnic area at one location. For those who want to a leisurely hike to clear the mind this is a good choice. One path leads you path a quiet creek area, while another leads along the river itself. There is not too much of an opportunity to get close to the river itself, lined with rugged and an uneven rockface.
Haley_B
This was a FANTASTIC purchase!! The tour + the gps sync + the fun facts were the perfect addition to our first time at Great Falls Park! Absolutely loved it! Highly recommend
LightPacker308286
Having had a consecutive single-digit cold days in January, we six senior then visited Great Falls National Park in Virginia side. We have surprisedly seen pancake ice that are a relatively rare-phenomenon in the Potomac river in the cold days. Some of Pancake ice gathered together. Their features elevated rims formed by piling of frazil ice onto the edges of pancakes when they collide, both due to random bumping into each other and because of periodic compressions at wave troughs. Some of Pancake ice in ones and twos went with the flow.
sandradewinter
Fantastic place and great walkable for children. Phenomenal views and excellent guidance via the pre-downloadable voice app (not everywhere in the park so perfect). The app also monitors via GPS whether you are on the trail and provides interesting background and historical information. Recommended! Everything can be done at your own pace!

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