Mather Gorge at Great Falls National Park, located in the heart of the Potomac Gorge.
Potomac Gorge Mather Gorge at Great Falls National Park, located in the heart of the Potomac Gorge. © Roy Sewall

Places We Protect

Potomac Gorge / Bear Island

Maryland/DC

A landscape of great ecological significance and stunning beauty.

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.

With your support, The Nature Conservancy has worked for more than 50 years to protect and restore the 9,700-acre Potomac Gorge natural area.

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.  

Why TNC Selected This Site

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

TNC 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.

Resources: Maps & Trail Guides

Before You Go

Check to make sure the trail is open. It sometimes closes after a heavy rain event, heavy snow, heavy snow melt, or whenever the river is high.  Call the Great Falls Tavern Visitor's Center at (301) 767-3714 or visit the NPS C&O Canal National Historical Park website.

Great Falls Tavern is the main access point for Bear Island: 11710 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac, MD 20854

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.

Fees

The ONLY location in the C&O Canal National Historial Park that collects entrance fees are at Great Falls Entrance Station. The entrance station is located at 11710 MacArthur Boulevard, Potomac, MD 20854. Over 80% of the fees collected are returned to the park for specific projects. All other access to the park is free.

For more information visit the NPS C&O Canal website.

Want to explore the Potomac River from the Virginia side?  Plan a visit to Great Falls Park or Fraser Preserve.

Bear Island Potomac Gorge
Despite its proximity to the urban bustle of the capital of the United States, the Potomac River's Gorge section serves as an unusual meeting place for species from different places and altitudes. Put simply, the Potomac Gorge has one of the highest concentrations of globally rare natural communities in the nation.
Get Directions

Bear Island / Potomac Gorge 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.

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.
  • 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.

Take a Closer Look at the Potomac Gorge

At Great Falls, the Potomac River builds up speed and force as it falls over a series of steep, jagged rocks and flows through the narrow Mather Gorge.
GREAT FALLS IN SUMMER At Great Falls, the Potomac River builds up speed and force as it falls over a series of steep, jagged rocks and flows through the narrow Mather Gorge. © Devan King / TNC
LEAF interns ascend the difficult "traverse" section of Bear Island's Billy Goat trail.
Billy Goat Trail LEAF interns ascend the difficult "traverse" section of Bear Island's Billy Goat trail. © Kathryn Miley / TNC
The Potomac Gorge has one of the nation's highest concentrations of globally rare natural communities.
Great Falls The Potomac Gorge has one of the nation's highest concentrations of globally rare natural communities. © Devan King / TNC
MD/DC staff enjoy an outing at the Potomac Gorge.
Potomac Gorge MD/DC staff enjoy an outing at the Potomac Gorge. © Mark Godfrey / TNC
× At Great Falls, the Potomac River builds up speed and force as it falls over a series of steep, jagged rocks and flows through the narrow Mather Gorge.
× LEAF interns ascend the difficult "traverse" section of Bear Island's Billy Goat trail.
× The Potomac Gorge has one of the nation's highest concentrations of globally rare natural communities.
× MD/DC staff enjoy an outing at the Potomac Gorge.