Great Falls Park, Scott’s Run and the Potomac Heritage Trail: McLean’s River Parks
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Quick Answer: Where Are McLean’s River Parks?
Last updated October 15, 2026.
Quick answer: McLean’s northern edge is the Potomac River. Great Falls Park (National Park Service) is just upriver, open 7 a.m. to 30 minutes after sunset with a $20 vehicle fee; Scott’s Run Nature Preserve (Fairfax County) is at 7400 Georgetown Pike with two small parking lots; and the 10-mile Potomac Heritage Trail follows the river from Scott’s Run to Theodore Roosevelt Island, passing Turkey Run Park and Fort Marcy. Swimming and wading are prohibited at Great Falls.
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McLean’s River Parks at a Glance
| Place | What’s there | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Great Falls Park (National Park Service) | Overlooks of the Great Falls of the Potomac, hiking trails, picnic areas and a visitor center | Open 7 a.m. to 30 minutes after sunset; $20 per private vehicle; swimming and wading are prohibited |
| Scott’s Run Nature Preserve (Fairfax County Park Authority) | Wooded trails along Scott’s Run down to the Potomac, described by the county as one of only a few nature preserves in Fairfax County | 7400 Georgetown Pike; two entrances off Georgetown Pike, both with small parking lots |
| Potomac Heritage Trail (NPS, GW Parkway) | A 10-mile footpath along the Virginia side of the Potomac between the Theodore Roosevelt Island trailhead and Scott’s Run | Natural surface; connects with Turkey Run Park and Fort Marcy along the way |
| Fort Marcy (NPS) | Remnant Civil War earthworks that were part of the ring of forts around Washington | The earthwork walls are fragile; do not climb on them |
| Turkey Run Park (NPS) | Riverside woods and trail access on the Potomac Heritage Trail | About two miles south of the American Legion Bridge and four miles north of Fort Marcy on the trail |
| Clemyjontri Park (Fairfax County Park Authority) | A playground designed so children of all abilities can play side by side, plus a carousel | 6317 Georgetown Pike |
| Lewinsville Park (Fairfax County Park Authority) | Fields and the Friday McLean Farmers Market (May to October) | 1659 Chain Bridge Road; also home to McLean Day each May |
Great Falls Park
Great Falls Park is run by the National Park Service and uses a McLean mailing address, though the park sits in the Great Falls area upriver from McLean. The park and its overlooks are open daily from 7 a.m. to 30 minutes after sunset (closed Dec. 25), and the visitor center is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entrance fees are $20 per private vehicle, $15 per motorcycle and $10 per person on foot, bike or horse, and a Great Falls annual pass is $35.
The NPS is direct about the river: swimming and wading are prohibited in the Potomac at Great Falls. Stay behind barriers at the overlooks, especially after rain.
Scott’s Run Nature Preserve
Scott’s Run Nature Preserve, at 7400 Georgetown Pike, is a Fairfax County Park Authority preserve known for rare plants and wooded trails that drop to the Potomac. The county lists two entrances off Georgetown Pike, both with small parking lots, so arrive early on warm weekends. Stay on marked trails and off steep rock along the stream.
The Potomac Heritage Trail
Within the George Washington Memorial Parkway, the Potomac Heritage Trail is a 10-mile footpath between the Theodore Roosevelt Island trailhead and the larger of Scott’s Run’s two trailheads, per the National Park Service. Along the way it passes Turkey Run Park, about two miles south of the American Legion Bridge, and Fort Marcy, whose Civil War earthworks are a reminder of the forts that ringed Washington. Expect a narrow, natural-surface footpath rather than a paved bike trail.
Chain Bridge and the Parkway
Chain Bridge carries Route 123 traffic over the Potomac between Virginia and D.C. at the Little Falls. The Arlington Public Library notes that eight bridges have stood at the site since 1797; the name dates to an 1810 chain suspension bridge, and the current bridge was built in 1939. Upstream, the GW Parkway’s north section, opened in 1962, finished its first major rehabilitation in June 2026, including restored overlooks.
Tips for Buyers Who Want to Be Near the River
- Homes near Georgetown Pike and the Parkway can be close to trailheads but farther from shopping and the Silver Line; test your daily drive.
- Stream valleys mean Resource Protection Areas and floodplains; see buying or building in McLean.
- Check the events calendar for farmers market and McLean Day dates at Lewinsville Park.
More McLean Guides
- Living in McLean, VA: the full McLean guide
- McLean neighborhoods explained: downtown McLean vs. Langley vs. Chesterbrook vs. West McLean vs. Tysons
- McLean and Tysons development tracker
- McLean events calendar
- Buying or building in McLean: teardowns, large lots, trees and backyard cottages
Nearby area pages: Vienna, Falls Church, Arlington, Reston and Oakton, or see all areas served. Nikki’s results are on the Rankings & Data page. Questions? Contact Nikki, call 703-596-5065 or text Nikki.
McLean River Parks FAQ
How much does it cost to enter Great Falls Park?
The National Park Service charges $20 per private vehicle, $15 per motorcycle and $10 per person entering on foot, bike or horse. A Great Falls annual pass costs $35.
Can you swim at Great Falls?
No. The National Park Service says swimming and wading are prohibited in the Potomac River at Great Falls.
Where do you park for Scott’s Run Nature Preserve?
Fairfax County lists two entrances off Georgetown Pike, both with small parking lots. The preserve’s address is 7400 Georgetown Pike.
How long is the Potomac Heritage Trail near McLean?
Within the George Washington Memorial Parkway, the National Park Service describes a 10-mile footpath between the Theodore Roosevelt Island trailhead and Scott’s Run Nature Preserve.
Is Great Falls Park in McLean?
The park uses a McLean mailing address through the National Park Service, but it sits in the Great Falls area of Fairfax County, upriver from McLean.
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Sources
Sources checked October 15, 2026.
- National Park Service: Great Falls Park hours; fees and passes; safety; Hike between Scott’s Run and Theodore Roosevelt Island; Fort Marcy; Turkey Run Park; GW Parkway rehabilitation (June 8, 2026)
- Fairfax County Park Authority: Scott’s Run Nature Preserve; Clemyjontri Park; McLean Farmers Market
- Arlington Public Library: The Chain Bridge
- Hero photo: the Great Falls of the Potomac from Overlook 1 in Great Falls Park, by Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
