About this spot
Great Falls National Park straddles the Potomac River between Maryland and Virginia, offering multiple cliff jumping opportunities. The Maryland side features two jump locations: a shorter option at approximately 20 feet that requires climbing down to access, and a higher ledge measuring 40-50 feet that sits level with the adjacent trail. Across the river on the Virginia side lies an additional jump point around 65 feet or taller, reachable by swimming across. The area presents certain risks including an inward-sloping rock face as elevation increases, occasional aquatic snakes, and active park ranger patrols. Rangers typically arrive by boat or helicopter, usually providing audible warning that allows time to retreat into surrounding vegetation. To access from the north, take I-270 South to Exit 5 for Falls Road, then continue on Falls Road for approximately 7 miles until it terminates. At the stop sign, turn left onto MacArthur rather than entering the National Park entrance on the right. Continue just over a mile to find gravel parking areas across from a restaurant on the right side of the road. From a maintained gravel path leading from the parking lot, cross the bridge, turn right, and walk until spotting a large wooden crate on the left near a dirt path and water on the right. Follow the dirt path to its end, turn right, and walk roughly 75 yards parallel to the river on your left before heading left toward the water and the rock face edge. The tallest ledge visible when looking up or down the river marks the jump location. From the south, take I-495 North to Exit 39 for River Road toward Potomac, then turn left onto Falls Road and follow the directions above.