Rock Creek Park

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.

• 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.
  

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.

• Purchase an annual pass for all national parks sites, $80

There are no accommodations within the park but they can easily be found in the surrounding metropolitan area.

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.

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.

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.

To download a variety of free brochures to help plan your visit, click here.