Rock Creek Park

Beautiful walk along Rock Creek today. Lots of fellow travelers, along Beach Drive and on the trails. It’s mid-November, but the trees are still pushing out beautiful colors throughout the park. We spoke to a trail volunteer who described her task for the day of removing several types of invasive plants from the area near Peirce Mill. Without her work, and that of fellow volunteers and staff members , we wouldn’t be able to enjoy this gem 12 months a year. Thank you !

Visited on Wednesday evening and loved all the sights. It’s a 5 mile hike at your own pace. Lots of parking available. Make sure you grab a map to lead you. No bugs or mosquitoes which was a big plus for me!

A park with pathways surrounded by nature, where you can hear the soothing sound of water flowing and watch animals in their natural habitat, is a true oasis for the soul. It’s the perfect place to disconnect from daily stress, breathe in fresh air, and reconnect with the beauty of simplicity. Every corner feels like it tells a story, from the whispers of the trees to the vibrant life unfolding around you. Without a doubt, it’s a space that inspires peace, wonder, and gratitude for the natural world.

Great place to walk our grand dog! Remember to keep a leash on as there are many walkers and joggers. Beautiful area with accessible parking.

I love running here, easily to combine trail running with road running, short or long. + excellent shade. Also you could bike, ride a horse, bring kids for the nature center and planetarium and events. A lot of access points and picnic tables. Love it!

Rock Creek Park is an absolute dream for engagement photos! The bridge is simply stunning and provides the most enchanting backdrop. The views are breathtaking, and the natural beauty of the park creates a magical atmosphere. We couldn’t be happier with our photos!

This location is one of the most incredible hidden treasures in the Nations Capital. Well maintained, clean, lawns and flora & Fauna is beautifully manicured. It’s beyond picturesque is Spring, Summer, Fall, & even Winter

(Photos are from October) We visited this lovely place in October and went for a walk with our dogs through the "Boulder Bridge Loop." While we enjoyed the scenery and fresh air, we noticed that some people had left litter on the trail. So, we took a small trash bag with us and cleaned up the area. On weekends, the place can be a bit crowded with people. Nonetheless, it was a pleasant experience overall.

If you're visiting D.C., know that you won't be able to cover all of what Rock Creek Park has to offer in one trip because this national park is sprawling. It's much larger than you may think it is if you're basing your assessment on a drive-by on Glover Road. On a Saturday, my partner and I started our visit at the Nature Center and Planetarium. There are free parking spaces there if you are driving over; though you could alternatively take the E-4 bus or metro to Friendship Heights and Fort Totten. There are so many hiking trails if you're into that. Check out online for available and up-to-date trail guides. Download the NPS App also! Enjoy nature at Rock Creek Park - and for FREE!

We made a quick stop here for a little hike with our corgi on a cloudy February day during our day trip to DC. The park is still well maintained, neat, and beautiful in winter. We had a great time. We are hoping to come back in summer.

Beautiful park in Washington D.C. This park is huge. Great place to walk and enjoy the greenery.

Came here to watch the eclipse of 2024. While it was only a partial eclipse, I enjoyed a nice picnic spread while listening the the babble of the creek nearby. I saw countless runners and bikers using the path and shared the lawn with several other picnickers. Will happily be back to explore more

A most beautiful spot for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing in winter, and so beautiful in all other seasons, too. We've come here for fall foliage, hikes, and now skiing (with our dog). We feel blessed to have Rock Creek right in the heart of DC (it's like the equivalent of the Central Park). Just so beautiful. It's well maintained, too. This is a good winter with good snow. We came here to cross-country ski with our dog who ended up pulling me (the sport is called skijoring: skiing while being pulled by a horse or a dog). The river here makes everything so beautiful.

This definitely will be a review in progress, because I did not explore everything that Rock Creek Park has to offer. However, I did enjoy what I saw during my 1st of hopefully many visits. I came to Rock Creek Park in an effort to try different running routes within and near Montgomery County, and I was very impressed with the sights and cleanliness of the park. I entered the park via the entrance near Holly St. NW and 16th Street. Boy, I have to say that I was not expecting the steep declince upon entering the park. However, this worked out well because (at the time) I was looking for more routes for my long runs that have ascents and descents. From my understanding, the park is closed to vehicles during the weekends so that makes life more enjoyable (i.e., breathing fresh) while running, walking, or hiking.

Ventured out here by myself during the evening time, and it was absolutely beautiful. Lots of parking, very peaceful and quiet. there is a 5 mile hiking trail and it's beautiful at Sunset time.

Cute park to check out in DC! It's definitely a lot bigger than what I was expecting but it was nice! You can choose to hike or there's a paved trail with lots of bikers, runners, & walkers. I could definitely see myself going here often if I lived in DC! Great place to get some steps in and touch some grass nearby the city.

Rock Creek is safe to run & hiking & the area is well maintained. Playing soccer, tennis, running, hiking, walking, you can do your own outdoor cookout & meet fabulous District residents.

It is very beautiful and a great place to ponder about everything. The rolling hills add that extra to your workout.

We had a short but sweet visit to Rock Creek Park today. It should be noted for posterity that there is No T-Mobile Cell Phone service in Rock Creek Park which is sad. Because we couldn't use navigation and we weren't familiar with the park, we got stuck going down a long road which dead-ended and we had to turn around and come back. I also noted the signs up that you can't wade or swim in Rock Creek because of bacteria levels in the water. Ew! Anyway, this is a very beautiful park and it was full of families, bikers, runners, cyclists, and picnickers. Parking is free.

My favorite oasis in the city. Whether you are looking for a refreshing stroll or a challenging hike, you can find it in Rock Creek Park. Once you walk about 0.25 mi into the park you will completely forget you are in a city. My favorite area is the trail that starts near Pierce Mill and goes north into the woods towards the horse stable. My other favorite route is the ridge trail that is a little south of Pierce Mill (marked strenuous). Rock Creek park is beautiful and clean. It's a breath of fresh air. It's great for walkers, hikers, bikers, picnics, dog walking and more. Pack your water and sunscreen and enjoy!

Bathrooms available. If you like nature this is a good place to come. Rock Creek is massive. At the area near the horse stables is a nature center. There's educational programs for kids. Check hours. It changes often. They also often close for a long time. Get a look at the exhibits if they have any. There's usually some kind of program going on. Kids can learn about different animals and plants found around Rock Creek. There's a lot of trails around here. It has some good bathrooms. It also has a gift shop. There's some cool little things.

Did you know that Rock Creek Park was the third national park established by Congress, following only Yellowstone and Mackinac National Parks? It was named a national park at the same time as one of my favorite parks in California--Sequoia. Rock Creek is also more than twice as big as Central Park in NYC. My sister used to live near Klingle Rd in Mt Pleasant, so we'd walk to the park and go to the zoo with my nephew. There is a nice walking trail by the creek. She now lives just a little bit past Walter Reed by 16th St, but she still drives through the park to and from downtown going home. It's a beautiful drive through the park. Whenever she picks me up from DCA, I enjoy our drive going home. Rock Creek Pkwy is closed to Northbound traffic during morning commute hours and Southbound lanes are closed to traffic during the evening commute hours. Also, on weekends from Fri night through Sunday and Federal holidays, sections of Beach Drive are closed to car traffic to accommodate bikers, pedestrians, runners, roller blades and etc. Love that!

Rock Creek Park is a lifelong haunt of mine, but one whose value becomes clearer with perspective. Most cities don't protect space like this (even we didn't if you head over to the Anacostia), but it's very important to not tear everything down when you're building a city. The fact that we have substantial green space is good for everyone. The park has a number of offshoots, among them the National Zoo and the tennis center, with something for everyone. Beach Drive (whose resurfacing is thankfully almost done) and the Rock Creek Parkway make the park a thoroughfare that allow one to get from suburbia to the National Mall, but the smaller offshoots allow for places of genuine quiet (Soapstone Valley being a favorite of mine). Still, it's worth noting the caveats that since this is a city, the water quality is not at a drinkable level, and you shouldn't be walking around alone after dark. Getting to know the rules of the roads are important: the Rock Creek Parkway becomes a one-way street during rush hour in the prevailing direction. Beach Drive is always two way traffic, but much of it is closed to cars on weekends so pedestrians can use it. The entrances and exits are not signed, meaning you have to know where to look, though this is easier in the GPS era. Parking is usually plentiful-at least in the more northern parts of the park that aren't near the monuments or the Metro. And like pretty much everything about the park, it's free. It doesn't matter whether you're a tourist or a local, if you're not in Rock Creek Park regularly, you're doing DC wrong.

The last time I stopped in at the Nature Center it was closed due to the government shut down. Luckily they were open this time around! I greatly appreciate the Park Rangers who work at parks and museums to educate the public and this place was no exception. The Nature Center is located near the stables. You walk in and there is a gift shop on the right, fire place with animal features to study on your left with a fire place and a help desk with a volunteer or a Park Ranger straight ahead. I was very impressed by the display of local flora and fauna in the back of the building. Someone obviously went to great detail and care to make a very educational exhibit and I did learn a couple things about mud wasps that I did not already know. Bathrooms are open to the public and clean. There are multiple childrens play areas too. Very positive visit there.

This is wonderful park on the outskirts of Washington, DC, near Bethesda, MD. There are several different entry points, depending on which direction you're coming from. The routes are really nice, with a mix of pavement and trails to choose from. There are always plenty of walkers, runners, bikers, families, kids, and cute doggos! Highly recommend if you're itching for some time spent outdoors.

When tourists flock to the National Mall, locals flee to Rock Creek Park, the largest green space in Washington, D.C. Mainly in Northwest D.C., it starts near the Kennedy Center and winds north for miles. On a good day, it's full of runners, bikers, urban hikers, and thousands of people enjoying all it has to offer. It has a horse center, an amphitheater, historic bridges, Civil War forts, the old U.S. Capitol stones, playgrounds, workout stations, and so much more.

A versatile park for hiking. Do NOT visit this or any other park if you plan to litter! The Boulder Bridge is very pretty from near the water but it was disappointing to see that there was some litter nearby (fake red rose petals and ballons). I entered the park near the 16th & Kennedy Area (Picnic Area 24). The entrance to the trail is a little hard to find but if you walk from the restrooms to the forest line you'll be able to find 2 paths that join the trail. You can walk on trails or by the road. It was easy to walk on/along the road but the pink trail (Valley Trail) was one of the most difficult trails I've been on in the area. Based on the many rocks, tree roots, slopes and leaves piling up. Make sure you wear supportive shoes and don't go on the Valley Trail if you have sensitive joints! It was so peaceful; I didn't hear a single car! Be sure to plan a hike through this park, whether you're a local or a tourist!

I tend to review stuff based on what else is around. If this park were in Alaska, it wouldn't be particularly notable. But, in a dense urban area like DC? This place is a friggin' oasis. It's surprisingly big and has lots of hiking trails. Many even have...gasp...elevation gain! I did a short loop near "Pulpit Rock". I'm not sure why this feature is even marked...it's not a very impressive rock. If it weren't marked on the trail maps you probably wouldn't even notice it. Anyway, this place has great fall colors and a relaxing creek (dare I say..."babbling brook?!") winds up through it. This is a great place to relax and unwind or...for those of you with strong ankles: do some trail running.

Winter is actually not a bad time for a hike in Rock Creek Park. If you are looking for an easy, just a bit of up and down, about 5 mile hike you can try this lollipop shaped route we did today. Start from the northernmost tip of the park at Boundary Bridge (there is a small parking lot). Right after crossing the bridge, the trail forks right/left (blue blaze marked on left side only) - either side is good (left a bit longer), they will meet up eventually. However the right one is a lot muddier if rained or snowed recently. Keep going about 1.25 miles - with river on right, pass under W Beach Drive - until you come to a T shaped intersection (this is the start of the around 2 mile loop part of the lollipop) with sign showing left for Pine and right for Valley trails. Follow Pine (yellow blaze) to just before 16th street, turn right at sign post "Holly Trail" - here it gets just a bit hillier, as the trail dips and rises. Continue on and you will be right at the river again. Sign posts here show south to Military Road and north to Riley Springs. Head north, past Riley Springs Bridge and you will be back at the T intersection of Pine/Valley (end of loop section). Turn left here (with river on left) and retrace your steps back to Boundary Bridge (1.25 mile). This stretch is the busiest with hikers/runners. Pine and Holly trails tend to have less traffic and are good places to enjoy solitude.

When you think of DC, I bet a beautiful green forested landscape is not the first image that comes to mind. Thank goodness the reality exists to change the minds of those who have visited Rock Creek Park. This is my oasis away from the insanity of life. It brings me joy, peace and serenity in just a few miles outdoors. They have so many outdoor spaces, there's something for everyone. You can find outdoor spaces to lay on the grass, to do your sport of choice (soccer, frisbee, tennis, golf, biking, horseback riding, etc), to have a picnic, to grill up some food, to invite people for an impromptu outdoor gathering and for me, to be on the trails. They have many paved roads through the park for cyclists, which are even more fun on the weekends when they close off some parts to cars and motor vehicles. It also makes it easier if you like to run on the roads in the forest. There are so many trails through the park into the forest, you'd be surprised if you live in DC how easy it is to get to one. It connects up through to MD and ends towards the zoo, but you can find your way to continue north or south outside of the park. Because there are so many trails, there's something for all fitness levels. You can walk, stroll, hike, jog or run, and you'll be in good company. There are some flatter portions especially along Beach Drive, but it also doesn't take long for you to trek off into some hilly and technical terrain. You could run for hours, literally, and find new routes. Those who want a hill workout are happy here. Those who want to see an old fort from centuries ago, will be happy. Those who want to be in nature but not in the wilderness will be happy here- pretty sure you have cell service in the entire park, as I often see people stopped and staring at their phones. You'll also be able to see the beautiful Rock Creek, where at your own risk you can make your way to the water. Be patient and go early or near dusk, and you can see the wildlife, including owls ready to hunt- pretty crazy to see one a few feet away from you in a tree! If you ever need some green forest time to calm your mind and make you feel better about life, like me, go for an excursion in Rock Creek Park- you'll be so happy! Love it!!

Been running and walking around here a few times now, quite nice with no cars. Parking lots are generally free weekdays and weekend mornings, plenty of parking available. Pretty flat, random trails here and there although there is a paved path, no signs for the trails though so it's easy to get lost. Nice stream that goes through it too, lots of trees and leaves as well. Good place to walk around in nature while still being in the city!

During our trip to DC, my friend had this wonderful idea of going to a hike after brunch. We used Uber and we arrived at this Park in 1/2 hour. The park ranger was very helpful. He showed us different routes we can take. We choose one that take us to this little house at the opposite end of the park. I had my heart set on coming back to this nature center for the stargazing seminar. From one end of the park to the nature center, it took exactly 45 minutes speed walking. My two friends choose to stride along. However, my friend, Judy, decided to hustle with me. So there we were, two gals huffing and puffing up and down these terrains. I was so happy that the weather cooperated. It was sunny and cool when we went. I recommend you check out this park. It was a great way to spend our afternoon. We walked off the calories, we ate at Founding Farmers.

Shirt version: you should come here. Longer: this park is beautiful. We had no plans to Sri here during our visit in DC, but we happened to drive not far from here, and spontaneously decided to check out the park. One of the best decisions of the trip. We loved it. First, one of the rangers here helped us. Helped a lot. Who else can know all the secrets of the placeZ and once you get some information about it, the whole trip gets better and more interesting. Second, take quiet time. When my friends took a break, I walked by myself and smelled nature. The highlight of the day. Fun hours that we all enjoyed.

Great park with closed roads for you to run and bike through. Scenic route in the heart of the city!Plenty of hills for those who are looking for a more strenuous adventure. Well populated and traveled.

Running, dog walking, hiking and escaping from the city! The trails in Rock Creek Park are beautiful and unique. I especially like the area of the park that branches off behind Montrose Park in Georgetown. I love to run these trails, and generally feel safe doing so, as I pass many other runners. A few of the trails have eroded a bit, but most are well marked. Many people (myself included, walk their dogs along the trails. There are many creeks and streams that are ideal for pups who love to swim, as well! Watch out for ticks when on the trails in tick-season

I am originally from Michigan, and this park was nostalgic and helped relax me from the hubbabaloo of the city. I easily walked for two hours and didn't even see the entire park. Obviously I have to go back and explore more, but from I have seen, there are endless trails going around hills, creeks, and endless trees. I ran into some areas of open space, albeit few, and I didn't really see any play structures while there. There were parking spaces, but that didn't matter since I walked from where I'm staying straight to there. Lots of runners and bikers take advantage of the roads, and some people were walking their doggos through the trails. It's a great place to go and just walk in silence (or with your iPhone playlist, whatever floats your boat). Definitely worth coming to if you need respite of the city or if you're like me and miss your woodsy home!

We had a church group meet at Picnic Area 1 of Rock Creek Park. Everyone could not find it on a map! All the other picnic areas are on google maps but picnic area 1. After doing some research, there was a comment from someone who said it was next to Pierce Mill. So if you need to find picnic area 1, use Pierce Mill as a guide. Picnic area 1 has a shelter and restrooms. The parking lot is small and there is a few more spaces outside of the lot on the street. Beyond the shelter, there are three more picnic tables in the shade. These tables probably don't need to be reserved. There are many trails to try. Some look more difficult than others. It's a pretty big park so I hope to come back and explore other areas.

Nature center with identifying natural beasts and birds... poison ivy and plant station too! Running water toilets and sinks! Trails well marked with lots of tree canopies so don't forget to look up at the skies to enjoy the peeking sun light. Area is moist -- lots of mosquitoes so cover up or wear bug repellent. Great for leashed dogs, kiddos, flat land hikers some stairs and tree roots.

Rock Creek Park: The Largest and Oldest Urban Park in America. One of Washington, D.C.'s best kept secrets and truly a gem in our nation's capital! If you are looking to be immersed into nature and wildlife without having to leave the city....this is your place! Rock Creek Park is your "all-inclusive" park for taking in the best scenic city views and enjoying outdoor activities. There are horse-riding stables, tennis courts, a golf course, 30 picnic areas, exercise stations, playing fields and an extensive network of miles of trails for walking, jogging and cycling. The National Zoo is on the grounds of this park as well. So as you can see, you will never get bored with this place. And, what I like most about this park and all that it has to offer...is that it is $FREE.99! Yes, you heard me correct. Everything that the park has to offer is FREE!...well mostly. There is only a small fee for use of the golf course, enjoying the horseback riding tours and/or indoor tennis courts. This park is one of the best ways to fill a lazy afternoon or weekend with "things to do outdoors"...and a good alternative to just touring around the monuments and museums. I live practically three blocks from this park and it is one of my favorite spots to enjoy in the city! I have yet to explore all Rock Creek Park's beauty due to how large it is! The park runs from the bottom of Northwest DC (Georgetown) to the the top of the DC-Maryland borders. Created by an act of Congress, the park was enacted for the preservation of timber, animals, and all things considered nature. I have conquered this park on foot, running and bike. I can truly say it is never a dull moment. A great place to spend time alone or with friends. The spring/summers in this park bring some of the best outdoor concerts which are held in the amphitheater on the park grounds...comprising of today's entertainers old and new. A planetarium is located in the park and open year-round too. It's cool, a bit dated but for kids....an imagination trumps antiquated any old day and they will enjoy it. There is also a Horse Center. A great place to stop while in the park. They offer rides and horseback riding lessons, group tours and the stables are available in the spring/summer as well. With the season changes, I like the fact that the park remains open and there is an indoor tennis center available. So if you are ever in the city or live nearby and looking to get outdoors, take in some fresh air, do something active...or simply, just relax....Rock Creek Park is where you need to be! For visitors, if after a couple days you're tired of the hustle & bustle of playing tourists in the nation's capitol you may want to plan a trip to Rock Creek Park. Take a stroll on some of the trails......or get a bucket of chicken and have a picnic. *TIP: Rock Creek is a great park for a hike with friends or pets....but there are "no off-leash" designated areas in the park and the water is not safe for swimming!

My kids love this place, and I notice a lot of adults do, too. It's really nice! The nature center is a hub in Rock Creek Park, located near the Maryland end of the park. It has numerous hiking trails and a great parking lot that is really large. There are picnic tables outside, clean restrooms and water inside, and lots to see and explore. Like most nature centers, there are a lot of taxidermy animals. This is one of the better collections of animals, and not only are they really nice and well preserved, and plentiful and diverse, but the Nature Center also has furs and bones to explore--ones that you can feel. There are of course live turtles and fish in tanks as well. My kids love the kids room. This room has lego, books, a park ranger you can dress, and a lot of stuffed animal puppets to do puppet shows. This little room is a wealth of exploring in spite of being so small. My kids absolutely adore it! The nature center also has a free planetarium, a video area, and a gift shop. The gift shop is a really great place to pick up books and stuffed animal gifts, and funny ranger stuff like hats and badges. The rangers here are great! They are a bit on the nerdy side, but that just means they know a lot of stuff. You wouldn't believe the insane questions they field on a regular basis. What is this plant I found? My kid ate this plant, what is it? What is the civil war history of this or that area? What is this bird? That, in addition to explaining all the trails and every national park, monument and historic site in the country. And yet they sit there patiently doing it, dealing with problematic parents who think they should be allowed to play on their cell phones in the planetarium, of all things. I note that this is a destination for many adventurers, from hikers to cyclists. They are there every day, and more on the weekends. My kids learned so much here and we always look forward to coming back. It's a wonderful place!

Great park, miles of hiking trails and super accessible in the city! Fantastic place to take your dog for a hike, and major sections of the road are closed off to provide a nice biking/roller blading/ skating trail through the woods.

Enough unpaved hiking / trail running paths to keep you busy all day, and the varied elevation keeps it interesting. With two main trails running north-south along the park (Western Ridge on the west side, Valley Trail on the east), connected by various east-west trails, you can build numerous loops 3-15 miles long. The park connects to a variety of other greenspaces in DC, including Dumbarton Oaks Park, Melvin Hazen Park, Klingle Valley Park, a greenspace running along Piney Branch Parkway, the National Zoo, and the National Mall), so there's always something new to discover. If you're feeling limited by DC, you can walk to the Maryland portion of Rock Creek Park all the way to Lake Needwood. If you're not a dirt-path hiker, sections of Beach Drive close on weekends, allowing easy biking, walking, and inline-skating. Bathrooms are available on the Western Ridge trail (Pierce Mill, Nature Center) and the Valley trail (picnic areas 6, 10, and 24). Easy places to start hikes are the Nature Center and Pierce Mill.

I just moved over to the DC area, and am pretty happy each morning and evening to drive through Rock Creek Park during my commutes. Now, with a free weekend, I was finally able to enjoy Rock Creek Park as a park! The Nature Center is pretty good for kids -- lots of model/stuffed animals on display, there's a planetarium, and a gift shop, too. I guess adults can enjoy those things too though! I had heard that the trails can be confusing for a first-timer at RCP, so I went ahead and got a map and some suggestions from a ranger. I took the 3.5 mile Boulder Bridge trail which was pretty clearly marked with bright pink duct tape on trail posts all along the trail. I attempted to run this trail, but some parts had big tangles of branches, tree roots, etc. (there was a storm the day before, so that might have contributed), so I carefully hopped around in some sections. I thought the trail was otherwise quite well maintained, and most of it felt relatively secluded (except for the small sections where you run alongside the road). There's lots more in RCP -- picnic tables (can reserve some of them), tennis courts, horse-back riding, etc. I look forward to updating my review once I become a regular here :)

Went here during the fall, the changing leaves color of this park is beautiful. No fee to enter, the park has walking, running, bike area and plenty of area to relax and enjoy the area.

Now we really talking Real DC Donald Byrd and The Black Birds made a song all about the beauty and wonder of this National Park which includes The National Zoological society and park. If you do not have your membership you are actually living below Standards. There are so many perks and the after hours scene is to die for. Big Ups To Gill Scott Heren and The Orinal Last Poets for holding us down during the struggle for equality as well as Roy Ayers Everybody loves the Sunshine and your research is correct by attitude and longitude Africa is the Center of the Planet

I love walking here with my family. Beautiful trees and scenery. Peaceful and well maintained as far as ground sleeping is concerned. There are a tone of trails and spaces for events.

This park is my favorite childhood park. I've spent so many evenings & afternoons simply walking, ‍ or just sitting on a blanket enjoying a picnic snack. Great place to play kickball, softball - huge field. Will always love this spot.

I enjoyed my visit, albeit brief, to the Nature Center when I was hiking the Western Ridge Trail of Rock Creek Park. They have clean facilities, a little giftshop, and park rangers that have maps on hand and are helpful in explaining the trail routes. Next hike, I will probably drive and start here so I can get complete clarification on my desired route. This is NOT metro accessible but there's parking on site. They have some live animals-turtles and fish mostly- plus displays on what animals may be found in the surrounding woods. There is a planetarium, and an outdoor interpretive trail behind the nature center that is 0.5 miles long. The Nature Center is open 9am-5pm Wednesday-Sunday.

Rock Creek Park is in D.C. but it can feel like you're hiking in Shenandoah National Park when you're in the deep woods in this park. The hiking trails in the woods are surprisingly extensive and desolate, even on weekends. It's easy to get lost here without an experienced hike leader. I wouldn't hike here alone because I'm not sure how safe it is considering how isolated some of the trails are. Seek out organized group hikes with an experienced hike leader to find some hiking trails that'll take you deep into the woods in this park. Rock scrambling in this park is dangerous and I know what I'm talking about because I've done my share of rock scrambling in Rock Creek Park (it was a vertigo-inducing, life-or-death, adrenaline rush type of rock scramble and never again will I go rock-scrambling here!) and elsewhere (a whole lot less stressful than Rock Creek Park). Parking is free at the Visitors Center.

So when I was living in DC I was living in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood I walked over to this area at least once a week. This place is stunning and amazing how it is intertwined with the roadways of DC. I would find myself walking and exploring for hours and could easily get back to civilization with the navigation on my phone (cell reception here was great, I was able to navigate and stream podcasts throughout anywhere I ever walked out there). The park surrounds the national zoo so you can even find yourself wandering into the zoo or ending up on a main road with plenty of brunch and coffee spots if you want to go for a morning walk or run and stop for lunch or coffee. The creeks are nice and what I love about the park is the hills and incline that I got to walk; living in Florida we don't have too many hills where I live so that made the hiking experience more a stimulating workout which myself and my glutes enjoyed. If you are actually interested in more workout options, the park has a built in outdoor exercise area with structures for doing different exercises. This park was instrumental in my love for living in DC because nature was so close and so beautiful. If you are lucky to live in this area of town, intertwine it into your lives!

Recently I have penned reviews on spectacular monuments and memorials that honor Presidents. Today I am penning a review on an unofficial monument that honors nature. It is Rock Creek Park. Rock Creek Park is the Great Outdoors of Washington DC that transverse the northwest quarter from the Maryland state line to the Potomac River in Georgetown. It is approximately 3,000 acres of pristine land occupying 5% of the city. From the rolling hills of the Maryland state line to the Washington Harbor, woodlands frame the sparkling Rock Creek that flows through the park. Rock Creek Park starts off as a wide expanse of open space from the northwest preiphery of Washington DC to the National Zoo. The further south the narrower the park becomes until it changes into a narrow linear park along the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway. Rock Creek Park is more than an unofficial monument to the Great Outdoors. It is also monument to recreation. There are miles of hiking trails that weave through the woodsy landscape. There is also a horse stable facility, 18 hole golf course, playground, softball fields, and the National Zoo. Rock Creek Park is stands apart from several urban parks in major cities. First, the majority of Rock Creek Park looks exact to when George Washington walked on Washington DC soil. It is uncommercialized. Second, it is a National Park. When people enjoy this monument to nature, they are in the third oldest National Park and first urban National Park. On our third day in Washington DC, I had the privilege of enjoying a walk along the Rock Creek Trail segment of the park from P Street at the north to M Street at the south. This was a woodsy hike that joined Dupont Circle with Georgetown. My first impression of the park was looking down at the sparkling Rock Creek from the historic P Street bridge. This would be my one view of the creek. The majority of the walk followed the wooded border of the Potomac and Rock Creek Parkway. From the time we stepped onto the trail from P Street to exiting it at M Street, we were enveloped in serenity. Here squirrels and birds outnumbered Politicians. I read that deer and foxes reside in Rock Creek Park. We'd take a hiatus from walking to spend time relaxing on a bench overlooking the adjacent Rose Park where squirrels searched for acorns, children played in the well maintained playground, and birds chirped in the mature canopy of trees. A few days later, we'd spend time in Rock Creek Park when we visited the National Zoo. When the National Park system created Rock Creek Park they presented the Washington DC metropolitan area with a gift. It is the unofficial monument to nature and the Great Outdoors. It is a gift that I do not take for granted. .......................... Reviewer's note: There is no business listing for Rock Creek Park. Rock Creek Park Nature Center is incorporated in Rock Creek Park.

Beautiful park hidden within Washington DC lots of nature and you don't even feel like you're in the city.

Rock Creek Park is an urban oasis; a tree-filled sanctuary that offers a wonderful respite from the heat of summer. That much you probably already know. But did you know that you can reserve a picnic grove in Rock Creek Park? I was amazed when we pulled up to picnic area #13 for a 1st birthday party on Saturday. Not only was there plenty of grass and picnic tables, there was also a BBQ pit and a shelter. The area was certainly big enough to accommodate the maximum number of people allowed, 75, with plenty of room left over for a volleyball net to be set up, croquet to be played and space for kids to run around. There was also ample parking near the picnic area. Here's the skinny on reserving picnic areas in Rock Creek Park: You must reserve them in person at the DC Department of Parks and Recreation on 16th Street. The cost is $7.00. Potluck picnic anyone?

Beautiful place to go for a hike. I made a short video of myself hiking at western ridge trail so you guys can see how it looks like in fall/winter season. https://youtu.be/sYAdpq5K08Y

I, like Hannah C. can't understand why RCP doesn't have a review page for the park itself, and not the Nature Center. I too did not visit this center. The park is used by joggers, power walkers, dog walkers, horseback riders, bikers, and picnickers. I love having RCP literally in my backyard. I walk my dog here all the time. The wooded trails are clearly visible and maintained when Mother Nature brings down big trees across its paths. My current pooch isn't a fan, but my previous little guy loved our walks in this serene oasis. The small wooded trail off Grubb Road on the Chevy Chase, MD border of DC leads to the main, wide trail. I don't know if it has a particular name, but this is the one point something mile trail I travel. Rock Creek Park is a treasure. It's my oasis in the city.

It's tough to give places like this anything less than 5 stars. I saw a lot of debates online comparing RCP to Central Park in NYC. As a New Yorker I've been to CP many times, one really can't compare the two, it's apples vs. oranges... Central Park is an urban respite, relatively flat and small, but with lots of different activities within it. RCP OTOH is like a long meandering national park and river, relatively uncommercialized. They are both awesome, one isn't necessarily better than the other. I rode a rented bike through RCP in May 2012, weather was perfect. I stopped at the workout stations and did some sets. I went pretty far I think, maybe about 10 miles past the end of the workout stations -- got pretty rugged and rural out there, then I turned around and went back to the Lincoln Memorial. RCP is definitely worth a bike ride or run through if you're in DC. Great city, great park.

My dog loves coming here for hiking. The only downside is one of the park rangers told me the water in the creeks and streams is too polluted and is therefore unsafe for her to swim. The water is loaded with chemicals, sewage and bacteria. I see people with their dogs in the water all the time, so please be warned, its not safe! I uploaded a few pictures with the warning signs that are posted all over the place, but I guess nobody reads these days. Otherwise, the trails are great and the chances of seeing deer or other wildlife that she loves is quite high.