Picnicking at Great Falls Park

Great Falls Park is heavily visited due to its scenic views of the waterfalls and its wide variety of outdoor activities. Of course active people get hungry, so the park accommodates them with one of the largest picnic areas of any National Park I have visited. Picnic tables and grills stretch for a tenth of a mile all the way from the Visitor Center down to the third Great Falls overlook. All tables are taken on a first come, first served basis. Great Falls Park is a trash free park, meaning that there are no trash cans. You must pack up your trash and take it with you, so be sure to bring bags.

Picnicking at Great Falls Park

While trees may cast shade on some tables, many are out in the open sun. Furthermore, there are no covered shelters or pavilions.

Vehicles cannot be driven to the picnic tables, but there is an unloading zone. However, it’s still a long walk to the tables at the far end of the picnic area, and after parking your car you may have up to a half-mile walk back to your table.

Great Falls Park has a concession stand located on the bottom floor of the Visitor Center. It is open Wednesday through Sunday starting in May, from 10 AM to 4 PM. It remains open through October.