Billy Goat Trail

The Billy Goat Trail is a 4.7-mile (7.6 km) hiking trail in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park near Great Falls in Montgomery County, Maryland. It is located between the C&O Canal and the Potomac River and is considered to be one of the most visited hiking trail around the Baltimore- Washington Metro Area.This popular hiking trail is broken down into three major Sections A, B & C.

The three main sections of the trail do not connect directly with each other, but are connected to each other by the towpath along the C&O Canal. Section A is located on the upper portion of the trail on Bear Island. It is the most popular and extends around 1.7 miles (2.7km).

It crosses rough and rocky terrain, including a steep climb along a cliff face on the Potomac River’s Mather Gorge near the end of the trail. Hikers are required to scramble over and around huge boulders in this section of the trail.

It takes about 2 1/2 hours to do the Section A loop from the parking lot. Sections B is relatively moderate around 1.4 miles (2.3 km) requiring a brief scramble on some parts of the trail. Section C is around 1.6 miles (2.6km) and relatively easy without any rock scrambling on the trail. The distance from the beginning to section A and the exit of section C on the towpath without going to the trails is 2.75 miles (4.4 km).

Jumping from the Cliff (The best way to meet the Park Ranger!)

There are plenty of parking spots near the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center where Section A is easily accessible, but you have to pay an entrance fee of $5 per car (2012) . Section B and Section C are best accessed from Carderock Park where there are no parking fees. Dogs are allowed allowed on a leash everywhere else in the park except in Section A. Parking near Old Anglers Inn is discourage due to construction and limited space. I’ve been in this restaurant a few times because its very convenient, but its got slow service, horrible parking space and mediocre food :-(.

Visitor Information
703-285-2965
Fax
703-285-2223
Permits
703-289-2513

Street Address:
11710 Macarthur Blvd
Potomac, MD 20854

Available Maps
Great Falls (Billy Goat)