The lesser-known of the Potomac's two namesake falls, a stretch of rapids marking the river's fall line at the edge of Washington, D.C.
Little Falls is the name for a stretch of rapids on the Potomac River where it crosses the fall line separating the harder Piedmont rock upstream from the softer coastal-plain sediment downstream, right where the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia meet. It takes its name in contrast to the much larger, more dramatic Great Falls about ten miles upstream, and marks the point past which the Potomac is no longer naturally navigable by boat.
Unlike Great Falls, there's no dedicated visitor park built around Little Falls, and the rapids are generally viewed from a distance — most commonly from the heavily trafficked Chain Bridge about half a mile downstream, or from trails along the Potomac Gorge on the Maryland (C&O Canal towpath) or Virginia side. This is a geological and historical landmark rather than a maintained waterfall overlook; experienced paddlers also run these rapids, which can reach Class IV at higher water.
Know before you go
Potomac River at the DC/Maryland/Virginia line; viewed from Chain Bridge or nearby Potomac Gorge trails.
Viewable year-round; whitewater difficulty varies with river level.
No dedicated trail to the rapids themselves; view from Chain Bridge or gorge-side paths.
Free to view from public bridges and trails.
Chain Bridge's sidewalk is the most accessible vantage point.
2026-10-11. Conditions and requirements can change; confirm with the land manager before travelling.
Sources & further reading
This is a researched visitor guide, not a claim that our editors have personally visited. Trail conditions, permits, and access can change.