Located at 9200 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA is another resource of the National Park Service. Great Falls Park (VA) is open year round, with parking fees collected during the summer months. The fee is $4.00 per car per calendar week. In other words, buy your ticket Monday, and you have seven days' access to the park for the same fee. Buy it Sunday, and you get one day (still worth it). There are picnic tables, restrooms and snack bar at the visitor's center area. The visitor's center opened late, in my opinion, particularly for a summer run. (I don't remember exactly, but I think it was 8:30). It was the only place to get the more detailed trails map.

This park has several interlocking trails. Some are pedestrian only, or bike only, or equestrian. Some are shared trails. Most of the shared trails have ample room to keep out of each other's way. One trail (heading left from the visitor's center) leads to River Bend Park, a Fairfax County Park. There are numerous options around that park as well, but its visitors center opened even later, so I stayed on the main connector trails. You can hook up with Difficult Run Trail as well, if you cross Georgetown Pike at one end of the Ridge Trail. Difficult Run can take you back into Reston (Lake Fairfax Park) if you don't mind crossing a few creeks complete with water.

There are several really good climbs here (evidenced by the benches part of the way up). The markings are good for the most part, but can be confusing at some junctures the first time you run them. One of the narrower trails (River Trail) follows the river, and is difficult to run on in places. I ventured too far on what I assumed to be the far end of this trail, only to end up scaling a few rocks and having to wind my way up through non- trail and back to runable surfaces. My only other options at that point were to swim or try to go back over the boulders I had just scaled. A good thing I had my water and CliffShot with me! The surface varies between small rocks, dirt and some mulched areas throughout the trail system.

Overall, I found everyone else on the trails to be courteous and pleasant. It took more than one trip to learn my way around without mishap. There are water fountains and restrooms in a few locations on the trails themselves. It was scenic and worth walking, or just gazing, in some places to take in the view along the river. I intend to go back to learn the trails around River Bend Park. Incidently, if you are a Fairfax County resident, you can park there for free, and just begin your run from there instead. The downside is the footing can be treacherous, especially when the ground hardens in winter, with bicycles and horses chewing up some sections.

In my estimation this park, and surrounding area, earns a "4" Muddy Shoes rating.