I haven't been to Great Falls Nat'l Park during the summer in a few years, and was wondering if it is normal to see a mile-long line of cars at the entrance on that tiny 2-lane road? Is that how it is nowadays?

We went around 11AM, and there was a giant, slow-moving line to get in. I thought maybe the lot was full. I've never seen anything like that. After about 25 minutes (and over a half mile away), we turned around and just ate at home.

I figured it would settle down later in the day, so we went back around 2, and the line of cars was even longer?!?!?!

Was this just some anomaly, or is the park normally like that on Saturdays during the summer? It really sucks if it is.

Yes. That's the norm on weekends over there. :(

Early morning in the middle of Winter is the best time to go. I prefer the stark Winter look anyway so it works well for me.

Did you pack some curry and your PJ's? Cause that's Great Falls Park on the weekends. Overrun by various not-from-around-here's.

Yeah, it's not like those "not from around here's" pay taxes too. It's the East Coast man, there's just too many people everywhere for my taste. Y'all come and over run our parks too and we just gladly take your money and smile, in Mexico during the off season.

:)

Yes the lines can back up all the way to Georgetown Pike.

Its best to get there as early as possible.

I remember once I got in the gate and there was no place in the entire park. I couldn't even park illegally because ever inch of the road was covered with parked cars.

giffin Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I haven't been to Great Falls Nat'l Park during
> the summer in a few years, and was wondering if it
> is normal to see a mile-long line of cars at the
> entrance on that tiny 2-lane road? Is that how it
> is nowadays?
>
> We went around 11AM, and there was a giant,
> slow-moving line to get in. I thought maybe the
> lot was full. I've never seen anything like that.
> After about 25 minutes (and over a half mile
> away), we turned around and just ate at home.
>
> I figured it would settle down later in the day,
> so we went back around 2, and the line of cars was
> even longer?!?!?!
>
> Was this just some anomaly, or is the park
> normally like that on Saturdays during the summer?
> It really sucks if it is.

Yep, its the new norm.

agreed - it's very busy on nice weekends. If you're planning on a picnic while you're there, do it in your car while you wait in the line and it doesn't seem so bad.

The problem is, there's still only one way in and one way out. Last time I was there I asked the guy at the booth if they could try sending some extra people up into the line and start collecting cash and let them pass through in the exit lane (obviously holding up outgoing traffic). This may not be the best idea, but they need to do something there b/c it sucks.

If you get there after 7am all the grills are taken up anyways.