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Scotts Run

Nature Preserve
LOCATION: Great Falls, VA
TRAIL DISTANCE: Varied
TRAIL HEAD/ DIRECTIONS: Georgetown Pike
TRAIL TYPE: Circuit
TRAIL GRADE:   Difficult (3) 
TRAIL PARKING: Two parking lots, limited to 15 spaces
KEYWORDS: Family friendly, Pet friendly, Waterfall
More Northern VA Hikes
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TRAIL INFO
What’s to like about the trail:  Multiple choose your own trails that lead to the Potomac river.  Well-marked trails and historical markings make this a good jaunt for kids. 
Why go for a hike on this trail:  Towering forest canopy, waterfalls and great quick lunch break hike
Best time to go for a hike on this trail:  Spring and Fall, avoid during wet periods.

Summary
​Over 300 protected acres in an urban environment make Scotts Run a gem for a day getaway. There are plenty of trails and interconnects to really ramp up the hiking mileage. The payoff for your hike is at the Potomac river where you will find the Scotts Run Waterfall. Do not be fooled by the rolling trails through the forest canopy and the beautiful tranquility, there are parts of the preserve to. Be mindful of with steep ascents or loose rock especially near the waterfall. Please monitor the kids and dogs appropriately and have fun with this little beauty in Washington DC suburb. The area is popular, go early or be subject to waiting for parking. The park is dog friendly, kid friendly and people friendly.

HIKE ON!
GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS
  • 1 water bottle
  • hiking shoes or trail runners
  • bug spray
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LOCAL

  • NEARBY HIKES
  • FOOD
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>
Turkey Run trail
River Trail hike
Rocco's Pizza
SWEET LEAF CAFE
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Our Mission
Our philosophy is to encourage exploration of trails in Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia through experiential content and purposefully simplistic guided summaries. We aim to provide you the knowledge, the essentials and the confidence to hike a trail.

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  • Home
  • Articles
    • Experiences >
      • Dark Sky Parks
      • Destinations >
        • Bluemont, VA
        • Delaplane, VA
        • Fayetteville, WV
        • Grayson Highlands, VA
        • Natural Bridge, VA
        • Sperryville, VA
        • Strasburg VA
      • Hike & Brew Pairings
      • Hike & Food Pairings
      • Hikers Streaming Guide
      • Must visit spaces & places in Virginia
      • Winter Hiking
    • Health & Safety >
      • Hikers First Aid Kit Essentials
      • Hikers Safety Guide
      • How to plan for a hike
      • Ticks
      • Trail Food Guide
      • Trail Training >
        • Work Up : OLD RAG
        • Work Up : Mount Rogers
        • Work Up : Mount Marshall
    • Hike Lists >
      • Beginner Trails
      • Family on the trail >
        • Family Friendly Trails
        • Parents Guide to Family Hiking
        • Six Hikes for 5 and under
        • Top Kids Trails Shenandoah National Park
        • Ultimate Kids Trail Guide
      • Top Rated >
        • Bucket List Hikes
        • Hidden Gems Shenandoah National Park
        • Summer Blockbuster Trails
        • Top Day Hikes Shenandoah National Park
        • Top Spring Hiking Trails
        • Top Summit Hikes not in a national park
        • Top Swimming Holes
        • Waterfall Hikes
      • Romantic Hikes
      • Short but tough hikes
      • Toughest Virginia Hikes
      • Northern Virginia Trails for Dogs
      • Virginia Fall Hikes
    • Gear Guide >
      • Beginner Hikers Must Haves
      • Bicycles 101
      • Gear Reviews >
        • Exo Spikes
        • Nike Juniper Trail
        • Relive App
      • Layering
      • Trail Shoe Guide
      • Trail Sock Guide
  • Trail Finder
    • Maryland Trail Finder
    • Northern Virginia Trail Finder
    • Shenandoah National Park Trail Finder
    • West Virginia Trail Finder
    • Central Virginia >
      • Bear Church Rock
      • Big Scloss
      • Blue Ridge Tunnel
      • Copernicus Ridge
      • Duncan Knob
      • Emerald Pond
      • Fridley Gap Trail
      • Hidden Rocks
      • Jawbone Gap Overlook
      • Kennedy Peak
      • Kepler Overlook
      • Little Schloss
      • North Mountain
      • Strickler Knob
      • Tibbet Knob
      • Veach Gap
      • Yoda Overlook
    • Southern Virginia >
      • Barneys Wall
      • Bear Creek Lake Loop
      • Big House Mountain
      • Bottoms Creek Gorge Preserve
      • Buffalo Mountain Preserve
      • Cedar Cliffs
      • Cascade Falls
      • Cole Mountain
      • Crabtree Falls
      • Devils Marbleyard
      • Dragons Tooth
      • Elliot Knob
      • Fortunes Cove
      • Hay Rock
      • High Bridge Trail
      • Humpback Rock
      • McaFee Knob
      • Mount Pleasant
      • Mount Rogers
      • Paul's Creek Trail
      • Rock Castle Gorge
      • Sharp Top
      • Stiles Falls
      • St. Marys Wilderness
      • The Channels
      • The Priest
      • The Triple Crown
      • Tinker Cliffs
    • Trail Ratings
  • Shop
  • Subscribe