Gold Mine Trail

A Union soldier cleaning up in a creek near Great Falls during the Civil War spotted a glint of gold, sparking a local rush that led to around 30 mines, including the Maryland Mine. Today, wayside exhibits explaining the historic mining process accompany the old ruins along the route. Towering trees shelter the trail year-round, marked by autumn foliage and winter wildlife tracks, while spur trails like the Overlook Trail peel away to provide views of the Potomac River.