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.
Photo: NPS Photo
- LocationWashington, DC
- Entrance No fee listed
- HoursDaily, Sunrise to Sunset
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Weather now88°F Sunny
- Alerts 3 active alerts
Overview
Topics
- Animals
- Artillery
- Astronomy
- Battlefields
- Birds
- Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite
- Civil War
- Climate Change
20 more topics
- Deciduous Forests
- Endangered
- Engineering
- Farming and Agriculture
- Forests and Woodlands
- Forts
- Industry
- Infantry and Militia
- Military
- Mills
- Monuments and Memorials
- Music
- National Cemetery
- Night Sky
- Plantations
- Social Movements
- Tortoises and Turtles
- Trails
- Unique Species
- Wars and Conflicts
Alerts (3)
Park ClosureWaterside Drive NW Road Closure Temporarily Delayed The planned roadway closure has been temporarily postponed after crews discovered a large early‑1900s utility line durin… Read more
The planned roadway closure has been temporarily postponed after crews discovered a large early‑1900s utility line during preliminary excavation. The construction team is evaluating the line to determine necessary steps before work can safely proceed. This precaution will help minimize disruptions and avoid unnecessarily extending the roadway closure. We will share an update as soon as more information is available.
Park ClosureNature Center and Planetarium Closure The Nature Center and Planetarium building is closed until further notice due to continued remediation. Check the park's… Read more
The Nature Center and Planetarium building is closed until further notice due to continued remediation. Check the park's calendar for changes to ranger programs and locations.
Park ClosurePart of Fort Totten Park remains closed for public safety Out of an abundance of caution, Fort Totten Park will remain closed east of Fort Totten Drive, south of Gallatin Street/… Read more
Out of an abundance of caution, Fort Totten Park will remain closed east of Fort Totten Drive, south of Gallatin Street/Metropolitan Branch Trail and north of Brookland Ave NE/Farragut St. due to the investigation involving two WWI-era munitions found.
Things to Do
27 activities. Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
Camping
1 campground listed on Recreation.gov. Check availability and current conditions before you go.
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Group Picnic Areas (DC)
Reservable Campground
Eight group picnic areas in Rock Creek Park are available for advance reservation from April 1 through November 30. These picnic areas are available on a first-come…
Reserve on Recreation.gov- Hiking
- Biking
- Historic & Cultural Site
- Interpretive Programs
Details
Fees: Half day $65.00 Full day $130.00. No refund for cancellation.
Overview
Eight group picnic areas in Rock Creek Park are available for advance reservation from April 1 through November 30. These picnic areas are available on a first-come, first-served basis from December 1 through March 31.
Recreation
Recreational activities in Rock Creek Park include: soccer, picnics, hiking, biking, roller blading, tennis, fishing, horseback riding and attending a concert or park ranger program.Facilities
All picnic groves are equipped with multiple picnic tables, some also have fireplaces that can be used for cooking. User must provide a cooking grate or other cooking equipment. Picnic groves 1, 6, 13 and 24 have pavilions. Some sites offer access to toilet facilities, though not all. Please refer to specific grove descriptions for details.Natural Features
Rock Creek Park is truly a gem in our nation's capital. Fresh air, majestic trees, wild animals and the ebb and flow of Rock Creek emanate the delicate aura of the forest.Nearby Attractions
Rock Creek Park is located near many national monuments and museums in the nation's capital.
Facilities & Services
Find visitor services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Other Visitor Services
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Nature Center
Facility
The Nature Center is home to our Planetarium and nature exhibit area which features displays of plants and animals that can be found in the park. Most of Rock Creek…
5200 Glover Road NW, Washington, DC (202) 895-6070 Directions
Details
The Nature Center is home to our Planetarium and nature exhibit area which features displays of plants and animals that can be found in the park. Most of Rock Creek park's public and educational programs begin at the Nature Center. -
Old Stone House
Facility
Built circa 1765, Old Stone House is the oldest structure on its original foundation in Washington, DC. Old Stone House is open for visitors at the hours listed below…
3051 M Street, NW, Washington, DC (202) 895-6070 Directions
Details
Built circa 1765, Old Stone House is the oldest structure on its original foundation in Washington, DC. Old Stone House is open for visitors at the hours listed below. The grounds are open according to general park hours (sunrise to sunset). -
Peirce Mill
Facility
Peirce Mill, built in the 1820s, is the last operational grist mill along Rock Creek. The grounds are open according to general park hours.
2401 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC (202) 895-6070 Directions
Details
Peirce Mill, built in the 1820s, is the last operational grist mill along Rock Creek. The grounds are open according to general park hours.
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Daily, Sunrise to Sunset · Rock Creek Park lands
Hours details
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Rock Creek Park landsDaily, Sunrise to Sunset
Unless otherwise designated, all park land is open sunrise to sunset. Roads are open 24 hours unless posted otherwise.
Monday Sunrise to Sunset Tuesday Sunrise to Sunset Wednesday Sunrise to Sunset Thursday Sunrise to Sunset Friday Sunrise to Sunset Saturday Sunrise to Sunset Sunday Sunrise to Sunset
Entrance fees
No entrance fees listed.
Weather
88°F
Sunny · feels like 87°
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Today
90° 62°
Overcast9% rain -
Tomorrow
88° 67°
Overcast57% rain
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Saturday
68° 55°
Overcast66% rain
Updated 4 hr ago
What to expect by season
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.
Contact the park
Upcoming Events
10 coming up-
Be a Junior Naturalist Hike
About
Do you want to connect with nature but you’re not sure how to get started? Do you want to be more present outside and escape the distractions of the modern era? Take a junior naturalist hike with a ranger and learn how to observe and study the natural world around you as you hike between ½ - 1 ½ miles through the Rock Creek Valley. Come prepared with water, appropriate layers, comfortable hiking shoes, and an open mind willing to practice a new skill. Recommended ages 8+.
Walk may be cancelled in the event of bad weather at the discretion of park staff. Feel free to check the Rock Creek Park website the day of to confirm or call the Nature Center (202-895-6070) the day of to confirm. Be sure to leave a voicemail for a callback.
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Books and Beyond with a Ranger at the Nature Center
About
If you have a little one to take care of and are looking for something fun to do, come read and sing all about nature with a park ranger! This program includes nature books, animal puppets, body movements, and songs.
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Fun with Flora and Fauna
About
Spend Friday afternoons and Sunday mornings at Rock Creek Park learning about our wild and wonderful urban oasis! Park Rangers will teach kids (and people of all ages) about the fantastic flora and fauna in the park.
Meet the ranger on the Nature Center front porch.
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Roosevelt at Rock Creek Park
About
Lace up your hiking boots and follow in the footsteps of Theodore Roosevelt, the adventurous president who believed that time spent in nature built character, courage, and a stronger nation. Beginning at Peirce Mill, this 1.5-mile (round-trip) guided hike winds through scenic trails and rugged landscapes that Roosevelt explored while escaping the pressures of the presidency.
This hike covers uneven, tight, rocky terrain with steep elevation changes and may be challenging for some visitors. Participants should wear sturdy footwear, bring water, and dress appropriately for the weather. Recommended for ages 10 and older. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Show 6 more events
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Stitching Stories: A Social Stitch Circle at Peirce Barn
About
Join Rock Creek Park's rangers for Stitching Stories, a community-powered knitting circle inspired by Freedom 250. Enjoy informal conversations about colonial-era fiber arts and how women used handmade textiles in daily life in support of the American Revolution.
This is not a class—just a relaxed space for knitters of all levels to gather, chat, and work on their own projects. Bring a piece you’re already working on or start something new!
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Building Camelot: JFK in Georgetown
About
Come join a ranger as we walk in the same path of John F. Kennedy as he first arrived in Georgetown in 1946 as a 29-year-old congressman to his meteoric rise to our 35th President. The tour is appropriate for all ages. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water. This hike will utilize sidewalks that can be narrow and uneven at times. It will traverse nearly two miles of neighborhood streets in the Georgetown area of DC.
The walk starts at the Georgetown Waterfront by Swedish Embassy on 30th street.
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Echoes of Time in Rock Creek Park Guided Hike
About
The Milkhouse Ford trail offers both beautifully forested nature and a glimpse into Washington DC’s history. Ramble with a ranger for a guided hike on this 1.7-mile loop, where you will encounter 5000 years of history, from traces of Indigenous land usage, to Fort DeRussy (which saw action during the Civil War), to the two-room log cabin used by poet Joaquin Miller, and to the historic Milkhouse Ford river crossing (one of Rock Creek Park’s oldest and most well-preserved fords). Meet at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center, bring plenty of water, dress for the weather, and be prepared for a fun and enjoyable outing.
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Ramble with a Ranger
About
Join a ranger for a pleasant hike through the woods and along the creek. Ranger's choice of route - the hike may be between 1.5-3.5 miles. Come prepared with proper footwear and clothing, water, and curiosity to connect with nature. Meet on the front porch of the Nature Center and Planetarium.
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Ramble with a Ranger
About
Join a ranger for a pleasant hike through the woods and along the creek. Ranger's choice of route - the hike may be between 1.5-3.5 miles. Come prepared with proper footwear and clothing, water, and curiosity to connect with nature. Meet on the front porch of the Nature Center and Planetarium.
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Ranger Tours at Peirce Mill
About
Step inside Peirce Mill, a rare surviving 19th-century gristmill in Rock Creek Park, and discover how waterpower once supported daily life in Washington, DC. Built in the 1820s, the mill served local farmers by grinding grain into flour and cornmeal. On this guided tour, you’ll explore the mill’s machinery, including the waterwheel, gears, and millstones that brought the process to life. Learn how the force of Rock Creek was harnessed to power the mill and the skill required to operate it. Rangers will share stories of the Peirce family and the workers who kept the mill running.
Photos
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Rock Creek — NPS Photo -
Getting There
Washington, DC 20015
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.
Full directions
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.
Mailing address: 3545 Williamsburg Lane NW, Washington, DC 20008
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