Join us for a moderate, but long, [hike in Great Falls National Park](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/great-falls-park-to-riverbend-park-loop)! We’ll view the breathtaking falls from three different overlooks on the Virginia side of the river.
Expect a relatively speedy pace, rocky and uneven terrain with minimal elevation gain. You should be able to hike for long distances without break for at least an hour, as well as comfortably scramble over rocks and negotiate uneven surfaces. Please wear sturdy shoes/boots and appropriate clothing. And pack a lunch which we will eat picnic-style halfway through the hike.
Meeting Point: [Great Falls Visitor Center Entrance](https://maps.app.goo.gl/MizXpou7HqXKUto9A)
Parking fee: $20.00 ([buy in advance](https://www.nps.gov/grfa/planyourvisit/fees.htm)), or free if you have an annual pass
Meeting Time: 9:00 am
Distance: 9.1 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Pace: Moderate (2.5 miles/hr)
Elevation gain: ~636 ft
Duration: 4 hours
Type of trail: natural
**Carpool Options**
[Gaithersburg Park-n-Ride](https://goo.gl/maps/aEwRZHsFs77uYDfE7): Meet at 8:30am (it’s a big parking lot, please see the comments section for coordination).
**Dog friendly?**
Yes, please keep your dog leashed. Dogs are the sole responsibility of the owner(s) who brought them; should be up-to-date on their vaccinations & in possession of the relevant tags; and should be under the control of their owner(s) at all times. Dogs that demonstrate consistently aggressive or otherwise out-of-control behavior will be banned from future hikes. Owners should come prepared to dispose of
**Bathroom Facilities/Water?**
The Visitors Center has bathroom facilities.
Food: Bring your own vegan snack and (non-alcoholic) beverage to enjoy mid-hike. There are no trash receptacles on the trail so pack out your own waste.
**Update Your RSVP**
Out of respect for others interested in attending this event, please update your RSVP promptly as your schedule changes.
## Alcohol/Smoking/Intoxicants: Use of intoxicants such as alcohol, cigarettes and/or illegal substances is banned during the hikes.
**Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct**
When you sign up to attend, you automatically acknowledge [VSDC’s Liability Waiver](https://vsdc.org/activity-waiver/) and commit to follow the code of conduct found at [Policies – VSDC – Veg Society of DC](https://vsdc.org/policies/).