Not far from the US capital, is a stretch of the Potomac River that is extremely special. And that is Great Falls Park. This pristine slice of nature makes you feel truly immersed in nature even though you are less than 18 miles from a bustling metropolis.
With stunning waterfalls, glorious river views, forests, and a bit of history thrown in, Great Falls Park is the perfect day trip from DC. What makes it truly special is that Great Falls can be enjoyed on both sides of the Potomac: Virginia (Great Falls Park) and Maryland (C&O Canal Trail). And I strongly recommend visiting both sides!