Billy Goat Trail (Maryland Side of Great Falls Park)
SUBMITTED BY: Pat Hoar
LAST UPDATED: November 19, 2004

Nature! A hike! Climbing over Large Rocks! Watching the Falls! Gasping at the Brave Kayakers!

If this sounds like your kind of day, then Billy Goat trail is for you and your Little – and it’s only a 25 minute drive from Rosslyn.

One of DC’s more popular short hikes, Billy Goat Trail should provide an excellent opportunity for bonding and a chance to get out and enjoy nature. Billy Goat Trail is best enjoyed with a planned break in the middle of the hike where you can eat lunch at one of the numerous spots overlooking the Potomac River and her wonderful falls.

Billy Goat does have portions that require you to use your hands to climb over some boulders so be sure you are up for that kind of hike. But the majority of the hike is on an easily traversable trail.

Address and Directions

C&O Canal
MacArthur Boulevard
Potomac, MD 20854
301-413-0720
DigitalCity Directions powered by Mapquest

1. Take 495 (Beltway) towards the American Legion Memorial Bridge
2. Take Exit 41 towards Great Falls/Carderock
3. Merge onto the Clara Barton Parkway
4. Take Left onto MacArthur Blvd (Clara Barton Parkway ends here)
5. See Hike Option A or B below

HIKE OPTION A
Approximately 4 mile hike - (park across from Angler’s Inn)

1. Print out trail map
2. Park in the parking lot across from the Angler’s Inn on MacArthur Blvd
3. Walk towards the River
4. Stop at Trail Map to verify your location
5. Use footbridge to cross the Canal
6. Take a right on the “towpath” and walk approximately 0.5 miles to the entrance of Billy Goat Trail (marked by a sign)
7. Follow the trail for approximately 2.0 miles. Trail is periodically marked by blue blazes (blue vertical stripes) on trees
8. Trail ends at the Canal
9. Take a right at the Canal and follow back to the footbridge for approximately 1.5 miles.

HIKE OPTION B
Approximately 4 mile hike - (park at Park Visitor’s Center)

1. Print out trail map
2. Follow MacArthur Blvd until the entrance for the Great Falls Visitor’s Center
3. Park in the Visitor’s Center parking lot
4. Cross bridge over the Canal
5. Take a left on the “towpath” and walk approximately 0.5 miles to entrance of Billy Goat Trail (marked by a sign)
6. Optional stop at Great Falls Overlook on the way to Billy Goat Trail (highly recommended)
7. Follow the trail for approximately 2.0 miles. Trail is periodically marked by blue blazes (blue vertical stripes) on trees.
8. Trail ends at the Canal
9. Take a left at the Canal and follow back to the Visitor’s Center for approximately 1.5 miles.

Tips

1. The above instructions are for Billy Goat Trail Section A! Not for Billy Goat Trail Section B or Section C.
2. Warning – this trail becomes very populated during the first few warm Spring weekends and the first few Fall weekends when the leaves begin to change color
3. Bring plenty of water for both Big and Little
4. Bringing lunch is nice way to refuel and rest in the middle of the hike
5. Wear good shoes, preferably hiking boots. High-top sneakers are better than standard sneakers.
6. Bring binoculars.
7. Visitor’s Center Parking lot charges a fee.

Related Resources

Trail Map with Billy Goat Trail (print this out!)
DigitalCity Directions powered by Mapquest
C&O Canal National Historic Park
Park Detail Map for DC Area Portion of Park

Email Pat Hoar with questions or feedback about this activity