Rock Creek Park Horse Center

Such a gem nestled in the heart of the city! When I relocated to DC, I was sure I would have to give up horseback riding, but RCPHC has saved the day. They have a great weekly lesson program for every age group, including adults, and through it I have been very fortunate to meet other horse loving individuals who live in the city during my weekly lessons. I highly recommend checking this place out, even if it’s just for one of their gorgeous 1 hour trail rides through the park (no prior experience necessary). You will easily forget you’re in DC!

Very disappointed. Not worth the time, expense nor wait if interested in quality lessons for your child is my initial take away. Office staff and director are courteous and professional but sadly it stops there. Group evaluation was a joke. Looks like a lovely place to trail ride however.

Back in 2013, I decided to resume riding after taking a break and came here for an evaluation lesson. I noticed that the horse was acting up from the very beginning, and ultimately it threw me off – twice. Certainly I should not have been put or kept on that horse in the first place. And even more certainly I should not have been put on that horse after the first fall. And even though I could barely walk after the two back to back falls, there was very little attempt to help me or check up on me at any point. I’ve trained at several stables, so I am able to compare. Based on my experience, I would not go here or let my kid go here.

I visited the Horse Center with another inexperienced rider, Sunday ⁷⁄₂₆. We were a little nervous but thought it would be a fun activity. I’m so glad that we did. The young ladies that accompanied us on the trail ride were patient and helpful. Prior to hitting the trails, we learned a few basic commands and practiced on horseback which was perfect. The instructions weren’t overly complicated and the horses were obviously well trained and attended. During the one hour ride through the park, our guides provided interesting little tidbits on Rock Creek Park in addition to thoughtful instruction. Great job ladies!
This was an excellent outdoor adventure for the novice rider. Special thanks to my horse Della for the awesome experience.

Frined and I drove out to the Horse Center one afternoon to check out the place. All the employees were very helpful and professional. They explained how to sign up for a horse ride or take classes. Will definitley be back to ride soon!

I’ve lived in the DC area over 30 years & this stable and riding facility is a best-​kept secret. Had a fabulous 9:30a trail ride led by Meredith yesterday. I rode Cee-​Ray and she was beautiful and sweet. I couldn’t have had a better experience :)

Whether you are looking for a break from the norm, want to do a trail ride, or even take lessons, Rock Creek Park Horse center is the most amazing place that I never expected to discover as a lifetime city resident. I started with a trail ride, and now take Adult lessons each week, which start at a beginner level and go all the way up through advanced/​dressage. The instructors and staff are helpful, friendly and absolutely devoted to the care & well-​being of the horses, as are the private owners who stable their horses here. And the horses & ponies themselves are the best thing about it — there are 40+ who live here and all have such personalities!
RCPHC is serious about riding and wants their students & visitors to love & respect the horses. But how nice that anyone can go walk through and get to see these incredible creatures in their day-​to-​day activities.
Going to Rock Creek Park Horse Center is my weekly break from the hustle & bustle of the city that I normally love. A great date or pit-​stop when you are hiking. Or if you are an animal lover who just needs a little escape from norm.
Check this place out — it truly is a bucolic gem in the city!

We arrived early for the 9.30 am Saturday trail ride and everything went smoothly for us, our first visit. Things were well explained and we were soon mounted and heading out to the trails. I rode on Andrew and my friend was on Okie. It was a nice get away from the city and we also got some nice photos. Definitely do it again, All my friends want to do it too.

If I had more stars to give, I would give all the stars in the universe. And this is coming from a first time horse rider. I was surprised for my birthday and I will say I really enjoyed my visit to Rock Creek Horse Center and would come back for another trail ride. The trail instructors are very knowledgeable about the horses and very patient in showing you what to do and what not to do when handling a horse. I had the pleasure of riding a horse named Della and she was a gem, very mild temperament.
The trail itself was scenic. We rode mostly along a creek/​river in a wooded area and since it was just two of us in the group the instructor took us on trails that were very hilly, which was fun and interesting, then circled back through a field and back through the wooded area until we reached the horse center. I would advise you to wear clothes you do not mind getting dirty.
The facility itself does offer lessons for adults and children. They allow you to walk through the stables and pet the horses. They also welcome volunteers who can help groom, clean stalls, and take care of school tack. Applications read more «can be picked up at the office.
If you are looking for something to do that is relaxing and also take in a nice trail ride on a nice fall afternoon, this is the place to go, And it is also a cool fun date idea as well.

Yes~ I live near here. I is sooo happyyy

Dear God, this place is magnificent.
The Honey used to always tell me how, when she was a kid, she took horse riding lessons in Rock Creek park. Very nice I thought. Now we have signed up Soccerballgirl I have been along to check the place out myself.
I was expecting one or two guys in a trailer with a couple of donkeys running round a muddy field.
I was not expecting a massive horse barn with about 40 or 50 horses in it — some of them absolutely beautiful and magnificent beasts.
I was not expecting a lot of people — from the yuppies getting out of work, to seven year olds like Soccerballgril, to lots of teenagers helping out.
A breathtaking oasis in the middle of the city. If you are a horse person — or just like looking at them — you have to come here and check this out.

If you like horses or are just looking for a relaxing one-​hour break in the «wilderness», come here!
Having spent too many exhausting days at work rushing to meet client deadlines, I knew I needed a break. Deciding to spend said break here was an excellent decision. I paid $ 35 for a one-​hour trail ride (one must call a few weeks in advance; rides are only in the summer). The guide takes only two people at a time. I had a sweet horse named Zeus. He was so concerned about being abandoned by the lead horse that he would run up to it and rest his nose on its butt for as long as he could (cutie!). When it became apparent to me that this sweet horse would be extremely uncomfortable if he didn’t have that sort of physical reassurance, I relaxed my grip on the reins. Despite the additional freedom, Zeus never misbehaved and was mild tempered for the duration of the ride. I would come back just to ride Zeus again but I also have to say that the staff at the center were extremely kind as well. When the woman that I was riding with indicated that she felt uncomfortable on her temperamental horse, we all turned back and waited for her to saddle up a new one. Despite the delay, we were still given the one-​hour trail ride that we had paid for and without anyone rushing us.
The trail itself was scenic. We rode mostly along a creek/​river in a wooded area and then circled back through a field and back through the wooded area until we reached the horse center.
They have ponies/​horses for all types of riders. I hadn’t rode in a while so I was a little nervous at first but the guide, who is a lovely and kind woman, was always close by chatting and giving me directions.
I highly recommend this place.
Additional notes: I think they accept groups (only in advance though). Also, though they indicate that one must reach the horse center at 5:30 or else, you really don’t have to get there until 5:45ish. I ran in huffing, puffing and dripping with sweat sure that I had missed my ride. The woman at the counter laughed nicely and explained that they request everyone to arrive at 5:30 so that the typically late people (like myself) arrive on time at 5:50 and so that they don’t have their customers feeling like they are being rushed on to their horses.

Do you like horses? I mean, really like horses? ‘Cause if you do, you should come here. Bring some baby carrots, or apples. You can spend hours visiting with each horse, petting their velvety noses, and laughing at the ponies’ antics trying to get at your treat-​filled pockets.
Visitors to the stables are welcome anytime during regular hours to visit the horses and provide them treats. They also welcome volunteers who can help groom, clean stalls, and take care of school tack. Applications can be picked up at the office.
About two-​thirds of the horses are privately-​owned, and the rest are owned by Guest Services (which runs the stables). These are the horses available for lessons and trail rides. Sorry, no rentals by the hour here.
I took riding lessons here for about a year. I’d get up at six in the morning once a week, summer and winter, pick up my riding buddy, and get to the stables in time to tack my designated horse before the hour-​long lesson. Then afterwards you need time to untack and groom the horse before heading off to work. It’s a really great way to start the day, and I loved the lingering smell of horse on my jeans. Of course, sometimes in the summer, that smell could be a bit overwhelming.
The first horse I was assigned was named Edward, and he was a rescued Thoroughbred, complete with a tattooed lip. He was the most ornery horse ever, but he had such a fabulous gait. He bit me once on my boob. I’ll never forget Edward.
The second horse was Ringo, a rescued Morgan horse. That horse was such a sweetheart (especially compared to Edward). He needed some TLC, and some constancy, so they assigned me to him for my weekly rides, and mid-​week visits. He was a joy.
My favorite memories are the occasional forays we would take outside the ring, riding through the Rock Creek forests in the early morning, and splashing in the creek. Once, Edward decided to take a bath in the creek, and began to roll over with me still in the saddle. I jumped a lot faster than you might expect me to be able to :-)
Edward came down with an illness, and died a few years after I stopped my lessons. Ringo was sold to a loving family. I haven’t been back much since then, but every once in a while I get the urge to commune with horses, so I go buy a bag of baby carrots and head to the stables. It always calms my heart.