The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Kayaks enjoy the rapids at Potomac Gorge. © Erika Nortemann

Open to the Public

Yes

Things To Do

The Potomac Gorge serves as a rare meeting place for species from different places and altitudes. View All

Plan Your Visit

The preserve is open year-round during daylight hours. View All

Get Directions

On the outskirts of Washington, D.C., the Potomac River passes through a landscape of great ecological significance and stunning beauty. With your support, the Conservancy has worked for more than 50 years to protect and restore the 9,700-acre Potomac Gorge natural area.

We’re grateful for your enthusiastic support of our efforts. Will you help us continue this vital work?

Why You Should Visit
Over many millennia, a rare combination of natural forces carved the unique Potomac Gorge. Running from Great Falls to Georgetown, this 15-mile section of the Potomac River is one of the most ecologically significant natural areas within our entire National Park System.

Hundreds of thousands of annual visitors — hikers, runners, bikers, fishermen, photographers and paddlers — enjoy the beauty of the Potomac River and the C&O Canal National Historical Park towpath.

The Potomac Gorge site features the popular Billy Goat Trail: two miles of strenuous hiking along Bear Island, which the Conservancy and National Park Service own and manage cooperatively.

The preserve is open year-round during daylight hours.

Location
Just northwest of Washington, D.C.
Access point for Bear Island
Great Falls Tavern
11710 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac, MD 20854
(301)767-3714

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
The National Park Service invited The Nature Conservancy to help manage the incredible ecological diversity of the Potomac Gorge. The Conservancy and NPS co-own and co-manage Bear Island.

The Conservancy also manages 10-acre Offutt Island, located in the heart of the Potomac Gorge. Offutt Island is accessible only by boat and is currently closed to the public.

What the Conservancy Is Doing Here
The Conservancy works in partnership with the National Park Service, the George Washington Memorial Parkway, state agencies and other private conservation groups to protect the lands and waters in the Potomac watershed through land acquisition, by restoring important habitat areas, and by increasing understanding of how much water the river needs and when those flows are needed to fulfill wildlife and habitat needs.

With the help of volunteers, the Conservancy also works to control invasive species.

Downloads (pdf)

• Good Neighbor Handbook: Tips and Tools for River-Friendly Living in the Middle Potomac Region. Download the handbook
• Potomac Gorge brochure: Learn more about the gorge and our partnership with the National Park Service. Download the front and back of this brochure.
• Billy Goat Trail Powerpoint
• Bear Island Brochure

Billy Goat Trail Audio Tour - New!

Planning a visit to the Potomac Gorge's Billy Goat Trail? Before your trip, download our self-guided audio tour to your handheld device. It's like taking along your own personal naturalist!

During your audio tour, the Conservancy's Mary Travaglini and Deborah Barber discuss local geology, rare species, river hydrology and our partnership with the National Park Service.

Step 1: Download the Billy Goat Trail audio tour map. This map will help identify which audio tracks to play based on your location on the trail, so make sure to take a copy with you on your trip.



Step 2: Download and save each of the following mp3 files to your handheld device. Play the corresponding track when you reach a numbered waypoint along the trail. Listen to them all or pick & choose based on your interests!

1. Come Prepared
2. Dogs and the Billy Goat Trail Section
3. Great Falls Tavern
4. Boat Tours
5. The Great Falls Overlook
6. Mary's Wall
7. Common Trees Along the Canal
8. Start of the Billy Goat Section
9. The River's Edge on the Billy Goat
10. Bedrock Terrace Habitat
11. Sigafoos Trees
12. Tree Species Along the Billy Goat
13. Pothole Alley
14. Potholes
15. Metagraywacke
16. River Erratics
17. Along Pothole Alley
18. Considering Turning Back
19. The Asiatic Clam
20. River Oats
21. Coming Down off the Rock Terrace
22. The Traverse
23. Boat Ramp
24. Emergency Exit
25. Purple Horse Beach
26. Snakes
27. Maryland Chutes
28. Ebony Spleenwort
29. End of Billy Goat Section A
30. Returning to the Tavern
31. Wildlife Along the Canal
32. Canal and Locks
33. Building the Canal
34. Washington Aqueduct Dam and Conn

(All files are .mp3 and should download automatically once clicked. If you have trouble downloading, right-click each file and then select "Save")

Things To Do

What to See: Plants & Animals
Despite its proximity to our nation's capital and urban bustle, the Potomac Gorge provides an unusual meeting place for plants and animals from different places and altitudes.  The end result is 15 globally rare species, 100 state-rare species and 30 different plant communities existing within the gorge.  Put simply, the Potomac Gorge has one of the nation's highest concentrations of globally rare natural communities.

Plan Your Visit

Before You Go 

• Call ahead to check if the trail is open. It sometimes closes after a heavy rain event, heavy snow, heavy snow melt, or whenever the river is high.  Call (301) 767-3714 and click here to learn more.
• Smoking is not permitted.
• Bring plenty of drinking water, sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses), rain gear and bug protection.
• Binoculars, field guides and a camera may be useful.
• Pets are not allowed on Conservancy preserves or field trips, and they are not allowed on Bear Island.
• Wear socks and closed-toe shoes. Wearing light colors will help you spot and remove ticks.

Get the Most from Your Visit

• Please stay on labeled trails. Thousands of people visit Bear Island and over 2 million explore the Potomac Gorge each year. Staying on trail not only protects everyone's experience, but protects the rare plants and animals.
• Smoking is not permitted.
• Please do not remove any plants, animals, or rocks.
• Please help us maintain this unique natural environment by taking home everything that you bring, including biodegradable materials.
• Go on a treasure hunt with your family! What will you find?

Fees

Vehicle
$5.00 per car - 3 Days
$20.00 annual pass

Cyclist/Walker
$3.00 - 3 Days
$20.00 annual pass
*If you have a National Parks pass, entry is free.

Additional Contacts

Trail maintainers: Potomac Appalachian Trail Club and the C&O Canal Association have volunteer events to help in the Potomac Gorge.

Tick and Mosquito Alert

When you get home, plan to drop your clothing directly in the laundry and complete a tick check before you shower. Deer ticks, the type that carry lyme disease, are about the size of a pinhead and tend to attach in hair, under ears, underarms, trunk of the body, groin, and backs of the knees. Remove them by gently pulling with tweezers and wipe the skin near the bite with a mild disinfectant. If, within 7-10 days after exposure, you experience a rash (especially an expanding "bull's eye" rash), chills, fever, headache, stiff neck, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes and/or aching joints and muscles, contact your doctor. You can find more information on lyme disease at lyme.org or aldf.com, or by calling the Center for Disease Control and Prevention at (404) 332-4555.

Directions

From Washington
Take MacArthur Boulevard north. At intersection of MacArthur Boulevard and Falls Road, go straight and follow signs to C&O Canal National Historical Park.

From Baltimore (I-695)
Take I-95 south to I-495 west towards Bethesda. Continue on I-495 towards Virginia at split with I-270. Take River Road exit north. At intersection of River Road and Falls Road in Potomac, take a left (west). Falls Road ends at a "T" intersection. Take a right to enter C&O Canal National Historical Park.

To reach Bear Island from the visitor center.
Walk 0.5 miles south on the towpath. Just before reaching the wooden bridge, turn right onto the Billy Goat Trail. Follow the blue blazes on trees and stones. The 2-mile trail ends at the towpath on the south side of the island. Walk 2 miles

Discussion

Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.

Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

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