Mary's Backcountry Camping

Idiots bring fuel! If Neanderthals were still around they would laugh at people that bring fuel to the woods. Did you know that wood which is all over the place out in the woods actually burns, it was our main source of energy until about a hundred years ago when we switched to fossil fuels on a large scale. Get a Trailstove, it burns wood and is designed specifically for backcountry hiking.

CAMP STOVE

A great survival item to bring is a small fish net. It's ridiculously easy to catch fish with a net. It's illegal almost everywhere so only use it in case of an emergency.

FISHING NET

There are new fire making gadgets coming out all the time, I'm still using a plastic lighter, hasn't failed me yet. I do carry a small magnesium block just in case.

FIRE

If you don't want to get eaten up by mosquitoes you'd better bring some mosquito coils or something of the sort.

BUG PROTECTION

Sleeping bag? Of course you need a sleeping bag, no doubt about it.

SLEEPING BAG

Going into the wilderness without a decent multi purpose tool is not a good idea, unless of course you're dragging a whole toolbox with you.

TOOL

Pu the branches together into a pyramid with the longer branch towards the wind, make sure that they're securely joined, tie something around the top if you need to.

Line the two long walls with ribs consisting of branches resting against the long branch.

If you want to and you have plenty of time you can prepare the ground under the shelter ahead of time by digging down a few inches and burning a fire on the ground for a few hours and then covering the coals with the dirt from the dig. This way the ground in your shelter will be warm and dry all night long.

Great Falls Park

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, it's scenic beauty at the head of Potomac River fall line and the historic Patowmack Canal.

Write to
George Washington Memorial Parkway
Great Falls Park
McLean, VA 22101

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
The park is open every day except December 25. The park opens at 7AM and is closed at dark.

Park regulations are enforced for your safety and for protection of the park. Pets must be leashed at all times. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the park. Swimming and wading are strictly prohibited. Great Falls Park is a DAY USE park only. No camping or overnight parking allowed. Motor vehicles must stay on paved roads. Picking wildflowers, hunting, injuring or capturing wildlife and destroying or removing trees, rocks, and ruins are prohibited.

Getting There
PLANE - From Reagan National Airport: Take the George Washington Memorial Parkway north. Take I-495 South for Virginia. Take Exit 44 Route 193. Follow car directions below. (approx. 20 minutes)

From Dulles International Airport: Take Dulles Toll Road (I-267) to I-495 North. Take Exit 44 Route 193. Follow car directions below. (approx. 30 minutes)

From Washington Baltimore Airport: Take I-95 South. Take I-495 West. Take Exit 44 Route 193. Follow car directions below. (approx. 1 hour)

CAR - From I-495: Take Exit 44 Route 193 also named Georgetown Pike. Take 193 west. Turn right at Old Dominion Drive (approximately 4 1/2 miles). Straight 1 mile to entrance station. Parking, falls overlooks, and Visitor Center are all centrally located.

Accessibility
Handicap Parking is available. Visitor Center and falls overlook #2 (200 yards from Visitor Center) is handicap accessible.

FEES/PERMITS

Entrance Fee
ANNUAL PARK PASS
$15.00 for Annual for Annual
Great Falls Park Passes are valid for 1 year. Passes are also valid on the Maryland side of the falls at the C&O Canal National Historical Park.

INDIVIDUAL
$2 for 3 Days

VEHICLE
$4.00 for 3 Days

FACILITIES

GREAT FALLS PARK VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year
Phone - 703-285-2965
Location - The Visitor Center is within walking distance of the falls overlooks.
Closures - N/A
Special Programs - Falls Walk, River Walk, Overlook Talk, Patowmack Canal Walk, High Water at Great Falls, animal habitats, Snakes and Bunnies, Swamp Tromp, Wildflower Walks, Sunday birders group, Kids Crafts Check our monthly bulletin boards for program times, and look for the Calendar of Events coming soon to our extended webpages.
Exhibits - The Visitor Center features a 10-minute slide program, "History of Great Falls," and a standing diorama, or three dimensional model, of the Great Falls and Patowmack Canal. Learn about this 200-year old canal so near to the nation's capital, considered an engineering feat of it's time. Coinciding displays show 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. Other displays show geologic features of the Potomac River Gorge and Great Falls, the Potomac river and flooding, nature displays, and recreational sports. A children's room provides hands on nature and other activities.
Available Facilities - Picnic tables and grills are available near the Visitor Center. First come first serve. No reservations taken. Fifteen miles of trails provide ample hiking along the Potomac River Gorge below the Great Falls, along the historic Patowmack Canal (ask for a self-guided brochure at the Visitor Center), and along upland oak deciduous forest. Trails access Riverbend County Park to the north. Restrooms available in the Visitor Center area and lower parking area. Snack bar located in the Vistor Center courtyard.

Idiots bring fuel! If Neanderthals were still around they would laugh at people that bring fuel to the woods. Did you know that wood which is all over the place out in the woods actually burns, it was our main source of energy until about a hundred years ago when we switched to fossil fuels on a large scale. Get a Trailstove, it burns wood and is designed specifically for backcountry hiking.		CAMP STOVE
A great survival item to bring is a small fish net. It's ridiculously easy to catch fish with a net. It's illegal almost everywhere so only use it in case of an emergency.		FISHING NET
There are new fire making gadgets coming out all the time, I'm still using a plastic lighter, hasn't failed me yet. I do carry a small magnesium block just in case.		FIRE
If you don't want to get eaten up by mosquitoes you'd better bring some mosquito coils or something of the sort.		BUG PROTECTION
Sleeping bag? Of course you need a sleeping bag, no doubt about it.		SLEEPING BAG
Going into the wilderness without a decent multi purpose tool is not a good idea, unless of course you're dragging a whole toolbox with you.		TOOL