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The Billy Goat Trail is a hike we love to do multiple times each year. The hike follows the Potomac River right along the Stateline. In fact, even though you are in Maryland, you can see the visitors to the Great Falls Park on the Virginia side directly across the river and they’re even close enough for a conversation! We love getting to say “hi, Virginia!” and hearing their responses.

If you have kids that enjoy rock climbing, have good stamina for hiking, and are older than about 8, this is a great hike for you! You will feel a great sense of accomplishment. We go for the rock scrambles and the views of the Potomac as it squeezes through Mather Gorge.

This is a trail that requires extra caution. You need sturdy hiking shoes and plenty of fluids. In the summer, you’ll want to start hiking before 8 am. The hike has little tree coverage and a lot of sunshine. The rocks can also be quite slippery after the rain.

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The crowds can be a turnoff, but because of the trail’s popularity, it is nearly impossible to get lost. Also, even though you’ll want to bring snacks, keep in mind that there are not many places to stop and rest on the trail. In addition, you’ll want to keep your hands free while you climb. (Don’t plan to carry a water bottle in your hand; use a bag.)

The 1.75-mile Section A of the Billy Goat Trail will seem a lot longer than that. Keep in mind you are hiking 1.75 miles out on the Billy Goat and then another 1.75 miles back on the C&O canal towpath, for a total of just under 4 miles. The entire hike out and back will take around three hours.

The Billy Goat trail is currently a one-way hike, so choosing where to park affects your experience.

Parking Near Old Anglers Inn

This small lot is across the street from the Old Anglers Inn on Mac Arthur Blvd. There are two advantages to parking here: you can park for free, and you are parking close to the finish line. Since the lot is small, it fills up quickly, so plan to arrive early in the day. To access the trail, you walk down from the parking lot towards the C&O towpath and turn right, towards the visitors center. You’ll walk almost 45 minutes on the flat and pleasant path. You can’t miss the well-marked Billy Goat trail entrance on your left. Or, if it is your first time visiting, you can continue up to the Olmstead Island viewpoint before coming back to start the hike. Either way, once you are done with the approx 90 minutes on the Billy Goat trail itself, you only have to walk an additional 10 to 15 minutes on the towpath to return to your car. This feels more satisfying to my family.

Parking Near Main Entrance

The main parking lot for the Billy Goat Trail is at the C&O Canal National Historical Park, Great Falls, Maryland, parking lot. There is a fee to enter the park, but it is FREE with any National Park pass or Every Kid Outdoors pass. The parking lot is about .7 miles from the trailhead. From here, you can easily access the Billy Goat Trail Section A and other park features, like the beautiful Olmstead Island trail to Great Falls on the Maryland side. Even though this parking lot is close to the beginning of the hike, it is about 45 minutes to walk back to your car after the hike is done.

Additional Caution

Do not enter the Potomac River, even for wading. This article outlines many of the dangers.

Be safe and enjoy the hike!

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