Geat fall park in virginia

Great Falls Park, a site that is part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, is an 800 acre park located along the Potomac River 14 miles upriver from Washington D.C. The park is known for two things, its scenic beauty at the head of Potomac River fall line and the historic Potomac Canal.
The Visitor Center features a short slide program, which is shown throughout the day. Discover the 200-year old Potomac Canal, considered an engineering feat of its time and George Washington's role as a leader in establishing this important trade and communication link into the western lands. See on display a preserved piece of a canal lock gate, revealing the craftsmanship, and ingenuity of the age and view a three dimensional diorama of the Great Falls and Potomac Canal. Other displays feature geologic features of the Potomac River Gorge and Great Falls, floods, nature displays, and recreational activities. A hands-on touch table and other activities are located in the Children's Room.
Picnic tables and grills are available near the Visitor Center. Fifteen miles of trails provide ample hiking along the Potomac River Gorge below the Great Falls, along the historic Potomac Canal (ask for a self-guided brochure at the Visitor Center), and along upland oak deciduous forest.
Overlook 1
Heading downstream from the visitor center, the first overlook you meet is Overlook 1, where you get close-up views of the falls. Here the falls appear the mightiest, plunging about 40 feet through a rocky gorge. An interpretive sign here describes the fish of the Potomac (shad, bass, etc). You can look across the Potomac and see the Falls Overlook in Maryland. In winter, right after snowstorms, this trail may be icy.
Overlook 2
Out of the three overlooks, Overlook 2 perhaps affords the best view. From here, you get a full view of the falls, as well as the Potomac River plunging into Mather Gorge. With the Potomac dropping down giant rocks, this sight is pretty incredible. One disadvantage is now you're a bit farther from the falls. A sign here describes early tourism at the falls.
Overlook 3
Overlook 3 is the farthest of the overlooks from the falls itself, and the views aren't so great as the first two. You can't see Mather Gorge, either. Still, it is worth it to see the last of the chain of overlooks. From here, the falls are still very beautiful. Interpretive signs here explain the floods of the Potomac River, and show the falls in three stages: dry, regular, and flood.
Potomac Canal
The Potomac Canal runs through the center of the park. It was constructed by George Washington in the late 18th century to boost trade to the western territories by the Potomac River. Using a system of locks, the canal would raise ships heading upstream 70 feet to the river above the falls. However, the canal stopped operating in 1828 after competition from the C&O Canal across the river, and has eventually decayed. You can now hike along the remains of the canal along the Canal Trail, which leads a little over 1/2 a mile from the visitor center.