Overview of entrance requirementsAll visitors MUST have
Entrance PassesStandard Entrance Pass$10.00–$20.00
Passes are non-transferrable, non-refundable, not replaceable if lost or stolen, and are void if altered or reproduced.
After purchasing your online pass at nps.gov or recreation.gov, please download your pass (QR code) BEFORE arriving at the park! There is limited cell service on site and you may have difficulty downloading once at the park.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
Cash: United States currency
Charge Cards: Master Card, VISA, Discover, or American Express
Admission to Great Falls Park is valid for seven consecutive days including date of purchase.
Includes driver and passengers. Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers. Organized groups are not eligible for the vehicle permit. Also valid for entrance into the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Admission to Great Falls Park is valid for seven consecutive days including date of purchase. In-person Purchase Locations
Admits one single private motorcycle and its passengers. Individuals 15 years of age and younger are admitted free of charge. Also valid for entrance into the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Admission to Great Falls Park is valid for seven consecutive days including date of purchase. In-person Purchase Locations
Applies only to people entering by foot, bicycle, or horse. Individuals 15 years of age and younger are admitted free of charge. Also valid for entrance into the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Admission to Great Falls Park is valid for seven consecutive days including date of purchase. In-person Purchase Locations
For Organizations & BusinessesIncludes church groups, college/school groups, scouts, service organizations, military, etc.
All holders of annual passes and those under 15 years old will be exempt from payment of fees.
Non-Commercial Groups in vehicles with a capacity of 15 or less are charged the $20.00 vehicle permit. Vehicles with a capacity of 16 or more are charged a fee of $10.00 per person. Removal of seats from a vehicle does not then qualify for the lower rate.
The total fee will not exceed the $100 fee per vehicle. More informationVehicles with capacity of 7-25 passengers: $40. (No per person fee) More informationVehicles with capacity of 7-25 passengers: $40. (No per person fee) More informationVehicles with capacity of 1-6 passengers: $25 plus $3 per person. More informationVehicles with capacity of 26+: $100. (No per person fee) More information Annual Entrance - Park$35.00 Valid for twelve months from the date of purchase. Pass is valid at Great Falls Park and C&O Canal National Historical Park for entrance fees only. Admits the pass holder and occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle OR pass holder and three person (16 and older) where per person entrance fees are charged. Not valid for organized groups or concession operated facilities or activities. In-person Purchase Locations
2023 Fee-free DaysNo entrance pass required on these days:
Digital Entrance Fees and Passes Now Available!Entrance fees and Great Falls Park Annual passes may be purchased online through Recreation.gov.
Passes are non-transferrable, non-refundable, not replaceable if lost or stolen, and are void if altered or reproduced. After purchasing your online pass at recreation.gov, please download your pass (QR code) BEFORE arriving at the park! There is limited cell service on site and you may have difficulty downloading once at the park. 
Entrance FeesAccepted Forms of Payment:
Great Falls Park Vehicle Permit: $20.00 Great Falls Park Motorcycle Permit: $15.00 
Photo: NPS/ J. Greene Passes
Great Falls Park Annual Pass: $35.00Valid for twelve months from the date of purchase. Pass is valid at Great Falls Park and C&O Canal National Historical Park for entrance fees only. Admits the pass holder and occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle OR pass holder and three person (16 and older) where per person entrance fees are charged. Not valid for organized groups or concession operated facilities or activities. The park is not responsible for misplaced, lost or stolen cards. Representations of pass are prohibited. Physical pass must be presented at time of use. Void if altered, and pass is non transferable/ non refundable.
Photo on the pass by Mark Gruenhaupt, San Juan National Forest, 2020 Share the Experience Photo Contest Grand Prize Winner America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass SeriesThe America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the United States. Passes cover:
In general, one pass covers the fees listed above for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at per-vehicle fee areas or up to four adults at sites that charge per person. Children age 15 or under are admitted free. Some passes provide additional benefits, such as a 50-percent discount on camping at some sites for holders of Senior or Access passes. Always check with individual sites for details. Select a pass option below to learn more! Fee-Free Days 2023Come experience the national parks! On five days in 2023, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. Mark your calendar for these entrance fee–free dates in 2023:
Organized Non-Commercial GroupsIncludes church groups, college/school groups, scouts, service organizations, military, etc. Organized Non-Commercial Groups in vehicles with a capacity of 15 or less are charged the $20.00 vehicle permit. Vehicles with a capacity of 16 or more are charged a fee of $10.00 per person. Removal of seats from a vehicle does not then qualify for the lower rate. Age and pass exemptions apply. The total fee charged for an Organized Non-Commercial Group will not exceed the $100 fee per vehicle. Great Falls Park Commercial Tour FeeVehicles with capacity of 1-6 passengers: $25 plus $3 per person. Commercial Use Authorization (CUA)CUA groups will be charged the $20.00 per vehicle fee or $10.00 per person fee at entry. If any member of the group has a pass, entry is good for the pass holder plus three others. There is no fee for support vehicles ("sag wagons"). 
Academic Fee WaiversThe following information has been taken directly from National Park Service Regulations (NPS-22). This is the guideline to be followed in granting education fee waivers. Bona fide educational or scientific institutions may qualify if the following conditions are met. Please Read Carefully. Your application package must contain all of the following.
U.S. Fee Area Program |
Last updated: August 9, 2023