About this spot
Great Falls National Park straddles the Potomac River between Maryland and Virginia and offers multiple cliff jumping locations. The environment presents certain challenges including an inward-sloping rock face, occasional aquatic snakes, and active park enforcement. The Maryland side contains two options: a safer jump of approximately 20 feet requiring a descent to reach, and a 40-50 foot platform situated at trail level. The Virginia side features a jump accessible by swimming across the river, measuring 65+ feet or higher. Park rangers patrol by boat and helicopter, providing audible warning that typically allows time to retreat into the surrounding trees. Access from the north requires taking Route 270 South to Exit 5 at Falls Road, then bearing right to continue on Falls Road for roughly 7 miles until it terminates. At the stop sign, turn left onto MacArthur Boulevard rather than entering the park's main gate. Continue just over one mile until a restaurant appears on the right; gravel parking areas sit across the street and tend to fill quickly. From the parking lot, a maintained gravel path leads toward the river. Cross the bridge and keep to the right along the path until spotting a large wooden crate near a dirt trail on the left (water visible on the right). Follow this dirt path to its end, then turn right while staying parallel to the Potomac on your left for approximately 75 yards before turning left toward the river edge. Identify the highest visible rock ledge as your target location. From the south, take Route 495 North to Exit 39 for River Road, proceed toward Potomac, turn left onto Falls Road, then follow the directions above.