Rock Creek Park is a 1,754-acre forested valley in Northwest Washington, running from the Maryland line south to the National Zoo. Congress authorized it in 1890, making it the third national park designated by the federal government, and locals still use it as the city’s backyard wilderness for running, biking, and weekend hikes.
The blue-blazed Valley Trail follows the creek past rocky rapids and stone bridges, while the green-blazed Western Ridge Trail climbs through oak and tulip poplar. Peirce Mill, a 19th-century gristmill, sits beside the water near Tilden Street. The remains of Fort DeRussy recall the Civil War defenses of Washington. At the Nature Center on Glover Road, rangers lead wildlife walks and run the only planetarium in the National Park System. Deer, barred owls, and red foxes are common sightings at dawn. The park also has public tennis courts and a golf course.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Admission is free, and the grounds are open during daylight hours. Check Nature Center and Peirce Mill schedules on the NPS website before you go. Weekday mornings are the quietest time to visit. October foliage draws the biggest crowds. Some sections of Beach Drive NW are now permanently closed to cars, which makes them ideal for cyclists and families with strollers (Planet Whitley). To arrive by Metro, take the Red Line to Woodley Park or Cleveland Park, then walk to the southern trailheads near the Zoo.
