Billy Goat Trail on the Potomac
Description: This is a moderate 4 mile hike minutes from the hustle and bustle of our nation’s capitol. It’s a great place to take the family and for beginners to develop their "hiking legs". For a place so close to a major metropolis there is so much wild power and natural beauty here as you watch the Potomac force its way through the rocky crags of Great Falls and the narrows just above Mather’s Gorge. As you walk along you can witness extreme sports firsthand, White Water Kayaking and Rock Climbing, and at the same time study the micro-ecosystems of the never ending vernal pools scattered along Billy Goat Trail. On the return leg you can take in the history of the canal. All of this power and beauty has its price: crowds. Since the C&O Canal runs straight through the middle of the park any reasonably suitable day for being outdoors will bring throngs of walkers, hikers, joggers and bikers to the park. Try to get there early. Then, at least, you’ll only have to deal with the crowds as you walk along the towpath back to your cars.
Directions from I-495 Beltway around Washington, D.C:
- Take the Clara Barton Parkway (Carderock) exit.
- Clara Barton Parkway merges into Macarthur Blvd.
- Follow Macarthur Blvd. to the park. ($4.00 entrance fee/vehicle)