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National Park Service

Rock Creek Park

  • Mid-Atlantic

Plan a Rock Creek Park trip

About Rock Creek Park

Rock Creek Park is truly a gem in our nation's capital. This 1,754 acre city park was officially authorized in 1890, making it the third national park to be designated by the federal government. It offers visitors the opportunity to escape the bustle of the city and find a peaceful refuge, recreation, fresh air, majestic trees, wild animals, and thousands of years of human history.

From the National Park Service.

Region
Mid-Atlantic
State
District of Columbia
Designation
Park
Entrance fee
None listed
  • Trail data for this park is still being added.
  • Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to Rock Creek Park.

Entrance fees

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for this park.

Hours

Rock Creek Park lands

Mon
Sunrise to Sunset
Tue
Sunrise to Sunset
Wed
Sunrise to Sunset
Thu
Sunrise to Sunset
Fri
Sunrise to Sunset
Sat
Sunrise to Sunset
Sun
Sunrise to Sunset

Unless otherwise designated, all park land is open sunrise to sunset. Roads are open 24 hours unless posted otherwise.

Weather and when to go

Weather in D.C. is often erratic. Spring: Pleasant, Avg. High: 67° Avg. Low: 44.3°, Avg. Precipitation: 12.1” Summer: Hot & Humid, Avg. High: 87°, Avg. Low: 66°, Avg. Precipitation: 12.7”, July is the hottest month Fall: Pleasant, Avg. High: 69°, Avg. Low: 48.3°, Avg. Precipitation: 11.6” Winter: Mild, Avg. High: 45°, Avg. Low: 27.3°, Avg. Precipitation: 9.3”, Avg. Snowfall: 15.4” January is coolest month. Hurricanes may impact D.C. in late summer and fall. Light droughts are not uncommon in summer.

Getting there

Ample parking for hiking, biking and visiting the Nature Center is located at 5200 Glover Road NW. Rock Creek Park is a large urban park stretching from the Maryland - DC border to the Potomac River. Rock Creek Park also administers 99 separate neighborhood small sites. A large network of public roads provide access to all points administered by Rock Creek Park.

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address
5200 Glover Road NW, Washington, DC 20015
Official site
nps.gov/rocr

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for Rock Creek Park

Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.

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Things to do in Rock Creek Park

The park service's own list, with how long each takes.

  • Tennis in Rock Creek Park

    Team Sports · about 45 min · Reservation required

    Open play courts are available at Montrose Park, Francis Field off of 23rd St NW, as well as being the home to the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center.

  • Horseback Riding in Rock Creek Park

    Horseback Riding · about 45 min · Reservation required

    For the horseback rider, 13 miles of dirt and gravel bridle paths crisscross the park.

  • Multi-Park Loop

    Hiking · about 2 hours

    Park your car and stretch your legs! Visit four different National Parks in Washington, DC and begin logging miles on seven different National Historic or National Scenic trails!

  • Boating in Rock Creek Park

    Boating · about 45 min · Reservation required

    Rent kayaks, canoes and stand up paddle boards from one of two boat houses along the Potomac River.

  • Explore the Georgetown Waterfront

    Self-Guided Tours - Walking · about 1.6 hours

    Explore the Georgetown Waterfront and imagine the changes the space has gone through.

  • Biking in Rock Creek Park

    Road Biking · about 45 min

    Bicycling is permitted on paved surfaces in Rock Creek Park.

  • Discover Meridian Hill Park

    Self-Guided Tours - Walking · about 1.3 hours

    Meridian Hill Park was designed and built between 1912 and 1936, and has been under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service since 1933.

  • Golf in DC's National Parks

    Golf · about 45 min · Reservation required

    Visit one of three golf courses at National Parks in Washington, DC

  • Rapids Bridge Hike

    Hiking · about 2 hours

    This 2-mile loop hike takes you through the forest and then parallels scenic Rock Creek before heading back uphill.

What to pack for Rock Creek Park

Gear & Essentials

Tell us about your trip and we will add what else you will want:

The basics

Worth having in the car whatever the park.

For this trip

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