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Rock Creek Park
DC- Northwest Washington, DC
- Rock Creek Park
Overview
Rock Creek Park provides visitors with convenient access to the great outdoors. A relief from the surrounding urban landscape of the nation's capital, the park features old deciduous trees, a variety of birds and small mammals, and the flowing Rock Creek.
To learn more about Rock Creek Park, visit www.nps.gov.
Local Info
Visitor Centers:
Opening and closing dates and hours vary for visitor centers at Rock Creek Park. Check the park's website for current operating hours.
Opening and closing dates and hours vary for visitor centers at Rock Creek Park. Check the park's website for current operating hours.
- Nature Center: Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year Day).
- Planetarium: Wednesdays at 4:00 pm (Young Planetarium), Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00 pm (Seasonal Night Sky), Saturdays and Sundays at 4:00 pm (Exploring the Universe).
- Old Stone House: Open 11:00 am to 6:00 pm every day (closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year Day)
- Pierce Mill and Barn: (April 1 to October 1) Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. (November 1 to March 31) Open Saturday and Sunday, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Visiting Tips
Rock Creek Park is open during daylight hours, 365 days a year.
Fees and Passes:
Park entrance and programs are free. For more details on permits and reservations check the park's website.
Fees and Passes:
Park entrance and programs are free. For more details on permits and reservations check the park's website.
Camping & Lodging
There are no accommodations within the park but they can easily be found in the surrounding metropolitan area.
Food & Drink
Food services are not available at Rock Creek Park, but can be found in the nearby cities of Bethesda, Chevy Chase, or one of the neighborhoods north of downtown Washington D.C.
Visitors are welcome to picnic in the area but must make reservations online at www.recreation.gov. For more information on park picnic grove reservations, call the Rock Creek Park Permits Office at (202) 895-6013.
Visitors are welcome to picnic in the area but must make reservations online at www.recreation.gov. For more information on park picnic grove reservations, call the Rock Creek Park Permits Office at (202) 895-6013.
Outfitters, Tours, & Shuttles
Ranger-led Tours:
Rock Creek Park offers a variety of ranger-led programs that vary by season. All programs, unless otherwise specified, are free. To learn more about these ranger-led programs and to see the current events calendar, click here.
Cell Phone Audio Tours:
The park offers a free, two-minute narration on a number of features in the park. For more information, click here.
The park does not offer a shuttle service but for more information on directions to the park, click here.
Rock Creek Park offers a variety of ranger-led programs that vary by season. All programs, unless otherwise specified, are free. To learn more about these ranger-led programs and to see the current events calendar, click here.
Cell Phone Audio Tours:
The park offers a free, two-minute narration on a number of features in the park. For more information, click here.
The park does not offer a shuttle service but for more information on directions to the park, click here.
Other Activities
In addition to exploring any of the 32 miles of trails in the park, visitors to Rock Creek Park will not be disappointed by the variety of other activities that are offered. Horseback riding, biking, tennis, golf, and boating are among the many activities that the park affords seasonally. Check in with the park's website for more information.
Maps & Guidebooks
To download a variety of free brochures to help plan your visit, click here.
Gems in Rock Creek Park - 4
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Recommended Routes in Rock Creek Park - 6
Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Recommended Routes
Rock Creek Park Hiking
- 30 Miles 49 Kilometers of Trail
- 6 Recommended Routes
- 4 Gems
- 25
Easy Trails
- 27
Intermediate Trails
- 5
Difficult Trails
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Weather Averages
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High
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Trails in Rock Creek Park - 51
Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Trails
3.7
mi
6.0
km
#1Western Ridge Trail
Intermediate/Difficult
Silver Spring, MD
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Intermediate/Difficult
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Silver Spring, MD |
7
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1.6
mi
2.5
km
#2Black Horse Trail (South)
Intermediate/Difficult
Washington, DC
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Intermediate/Difficult
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Washington, DC |
3
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|
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2.1
mi
3.3
km
#3Valley Trail - South
Intermediate/Difficult
Washington, DC
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Intermediate/Difficult
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Washington, DC |
3
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|
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1.0
mi
1.6
km
#4Melvin C. Hazen Trail
Intermediate/Difficult
Washington, DC
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Intermediate/Difficult
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Washington, DC |
2
|
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1.8
mi
3.0
km
#5Bike Trail #5 - Klingle Road Bridge South
Easy
Washington, DC
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Easy
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Washington, DC |
3
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|
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0.4
mi
0.6
km
#6Piney Branch Foot Trail
Easy
Washington, DC
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Easy
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Washington, DC |
1
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0.6
mi
0.9
km
#7Holly Trail
Intermediate
Washington, DC
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Intermediate
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Washington, DC |
1
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|
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0.3
mi
0.5
km
#8Pine Trail
Easy
Washington, DC
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Easy
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Washington, DC |
1
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1.8
mi
2.9
km
#9White Horse Trail
Intermediate
Washington, DC
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Intermediate
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Washington, DC |
1
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|
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0.5
mi
0.8
km
#10Fort DeRussy Trail
Intermediate
Washington, DC
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Intermediate
|
Washington, DC |
1
|
Photos of Rock Creek Park - 42
Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Photos
