Rock Creek Park Nature Center

I have been here a few times but never went hiking. This past Sunday I actually went on a few trails to clear my mind. The trails we great in my opinion. There were a few times I didn’t know where the trails went but that made it a little more fun for me. It was a lot of runners since the weather was nice but the park is so big so no one was really in the others way. I visited the nature center and the attendant was very helpful. This is a great place to get away and clear your mind.

It is beautiful place. I enjoyed the trail. I felt I am in the peace. How grateful that I can find this kind of place in DC. :)

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.

The trails in this park are pretty decent for a quick afternoon hike, but nothing challenging, and there’s not much of a view to speak of. There are, however, plenty of trees that provide pleasant shade in the summer, and the trails run along Rock Creek Pike, so it’s not too bad.
There’s abundant parking in the park if you’re coming in from Maryland or Virginia.
There’s some interesting historical tidbits about Peirce Mill and one of the volunteers was kind enough to explain how the old mill worked. A park ranger also brought in a live red-​eared turtle that day and talked a bit about the species that live in the park or are native to the area.

I was really looking forward to walking the trails at Rock Creek as I heard great things about it and I run the Rock Creek Trail from Georgetown to DC frequently and loved the scenic route. My bf and I took a Friday off and visited two separate parts of the park. The first one was Western Ridge Trail, which was nice but not what we wanted, as both of us prefer more woods/​water and less city traffic. I was hoping that it’d be similar to Scotts Run/​Trails in Great Falls, where it’s right by the busy Tysons Corner but is still quiet and isolated from traffic noise. I also got quite a few bug bites from the Western Ridge Trail… bring bug spray!
Since the Western Ridge turned out to be a bit disappointing, we went to the Nature Center and wanted to give the Rapid Bridge or Boulder Bridge hike a try as the brochure described it to be very picturesque. A quick note about the Nature Center — I thought the center was unexpectedly cool! Especially with all the animals and plants models and child-​friendly playrooms.
We went to the trail behind the horse center stables with orange marker. We can’t be certain which trail this is, as the horse center attendant didn’t know either… When asking for direction, she gave us the «long trail» or the «short trail.» Since it was already 4 in the afternoon, we went for the «short» option. WRONG OPTION! The route was covered in horse poop, and there were way too many flies around. I didn’t know the few trails by the Nature Center were shared by horses… otherwise I would have reconsider this whole trip.
Overall, quite disappointing. The hikes we went on weren’t particularly pretty, scenic, or quiet, and the horse poops really ruined the last part!

While it’s cool to have hiking right in the city, Rock Creek Park trail signage is absolutely horrible. The maps have may ¹⁄₃ of the trails on them, and I only made it out alive thanks to a combination of the Visitors Center map and my phone map.
However, I did see about five deer, a wild turkey, and a ton of beautiful birds. It’s a nice hike if you have the time to get lost. Not too rocky, nor too steep. Bring LOTS o’ bug spray. The mosquitoes out here are dense.
Here’s some details that may help you with the Western Ridge Trail:
I started at the Visitors Center (5200 Glover NW). I parked at the Horse Center. When you pull in, there are two parking lots. It’s best to park in the one on your left. My plan was to take the trail up the west side and come back down the east side when I hit the DC/​Maryland border.
Once in the woods, which is just to the left of the Visitors Center (if you’re looking from the parking lot), follow the dark green trail signs for the Western Ridge Trail. It’s also a horse trail, so you’ll notice throughout single wooden steps spaced out far apart.
When you get to the gardens, follow them up your left then to the right between the gardens and the horse pen. It’s tricky here and it looks like you’ve lost the trail. At the drive, go left and pick up the trail again on your right just before Oregon Road.
The first part of the trail goes through small patches of woods that are part of neighborhoods. It’s kind of cool. You’ll cross quite a few roads before really getting into the thick of it.
At some point you’re going to come to Wise Road (after Bingham Road, which you’ll also cross). There’s no sign that says, Wise Road, but it’s a two lane road. Cross it and you’ll see a small opening to the trail on the other side. About 150 yards after this, the trail markers go from dark green to grey. You’re still on the same trail, don’t worry.
The next road you get to is Beach, and there’s a parking lot on the other side. This is the part that gets confusing because there are lots of different trails at this junction but only one on the map. If you want to circle back down the east side of Rock Creek Park (presumably back to the Visitors Center where you parked your car), cross Beach road and take the trail just to the right of the parking lot (do not take the trail along the road). You’ll see a sign for Valley Trail (pink on the Visitors map). It splits into three (surprise!) but just to straight (like, take the center trail).
After a bit, cross Beach at Parkside Road and pick up the trail again. Very soon you’ll come to a fork. Go left and cross the bridge.
Shortly after, you’ll see a Valley Trail, Pine Trail sign. Keep following Valley, and just few yards later you’ll come to another intersection with no signage. Take a sharp left. You’ll be able to barely see the dark grey trail marker on a tree on your left. Then you’ll know you’re on the right path.
Now for the fun part: after a while, the trail markers turn a third color — light blue. don’t worry, you’re still going the right way.
So, according to the map, Valley Trail can go on pretty long, but it was getting dark and I needed to get back. I crossed at Bingham to get back to the west side of the park. There’s no sign on the trail that says you’re at Bingham, but you can hear the road and there’s a small, unmarked bridge just before the road. Cross it, cross Beach Road and a few yards up you’ll reach Bingham on the right. Cross Bingham and get back on the trail by entering the woods.
You’ll pass the Police Park stables and end up back at those gardens and horse pens you were at earlier. Cross the field and go left to get back onto the original Western Ridge trail. Soon enough you’ll be back at the Visitors Center.
Enjoy!

This review is for the actual trails. We came on a Sunday morning during Memorial day weekend and the trails (Western Ridge and Valley) were still empty. We started at the Nature Center then took Western Ridge up to Boulder Bridge so we can connect with the Valley trail down and then loop back to where we started. The trails aren’t really marked that well so it’s easy to get a little lost. The trails are easy with some hills. Overall we ended doing a total of 6.5 miles.
Pros: pretty shaded trails, free parking, 2 main trails are parallel connected with smaller ones to make loops so you can make your hike as short/​long as you want, dog friendly, lots of picnic areas, Beach Dr. closed to cars on weekends (perfect for biking), real bathrooms at the Nature Center
Cons: trails not marked clearly, some parts you have to cross main roads
I did stop in the actual Nature Center and it’s pretty small with some plant/​animal displays. It’s a good place for kids after taking the them to the short dedicated kids trail right behind it.
Overall a nice little nature escape right in DC. I’ll definitely be back.

Rock Creek is not just a National Park — it’s a local treasure (and my favorite shortcut to the District). I’m lucky enough to live close by, and it’s one of my favorite parts of living here. I drive through all the time, and now that it’s warm enough I can’t wait to bike, hike and walk through. (Note: I have never been to the Nature Center. I’m posted my park review here because there is not a separate page for the park, vs. the Nature Center.)
Weekends and holidays from 7am — 7pm parts of the park are closed to motorized traffic, and the people take over. Train for a marathon, take a walk, ride a bike. No worries about being run over by cars, or being hit by opening car doors. With the entire road available there is room for everyone — athletes, students, kids, grandparents, families. Take a leisurely stroll with a stroll or train for speed. Come alone or bring a bus load of friends — just leave the bus (or your car behind).
And yes — dogs are welcome too. :)

At first glance this place seemed marvelous. Secluded with tons of trees and wildlife. The station was really friendly however not helpful. When we went a lot of people got lost finding the trail AND staying on the trials as the road map was not clear nor were the rangers helpful. Some rangers even told me they had no idea or «somewhere over there» which is totally helpful. Going on the trial, its covered with horse crap as the trials bridge with the nearby stable. Though we finally found the correct trial and we ended up near a trial next to a paved road with bikers zooming back and forth. TBH if your looking for a hike this IS NOT your place. However if you want to bike or drive around nature in your car this is what you want.

This review is limited to the running/​biking trail. I have never seen exercise equipment at a park until I’ve incorporated this trail into my runs. There are outdoor equipments for core exercises, arm exercises, etc etc scattered along the trail. While I have never tried them, I think that it is so neat that the option to supplement your cardio is so readily available.
The trail is beautiful when coming from the Lincoln Memorial. You run/​bike past streams and grand bridges. One caveat is that there are no water fountains. Hence, don’t choose this trail if it’s 90 degrees out, because you will be very bad company to your running partner.
The trail is also always incorporated in all the DC races I’ve run, which is a testament to how important it is to the DC active scene.
Finally, my friend and I completed this trail last time by jogging to Open City and brunching there (then taking the red line back home, which is only a block away). Perfect start to a weekend!

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.

This review is for the nature center & planetarium. It’s okay. Cute, I guess. Small play room for kids with lots of stuffed animals. They also had a lot of taxidermy animals in display cases to view. Plus, a few live snakes, fish & turtles. But the whole «live bee-​hive» thing was pretty much completely inactive. Nothing going on with bees that I could see at this time. The planetarium show was okay. The rangers were nice. I don’t think I’ll be a repeat visitor though.
*** IF YOU HAVE KIDS BEWARE: the gift shop is directly on the right immediately upon walking in. And my kids were sucked in QUICK! So I bought an over-​priced turtle to avoid a total meltdown. I know the money helps to fund the park, so it’s fine.

This is for the Boulder bridge hike which is a 3.5 mile loop. Fairly easy and sneakers is all you need. There are some uphill and downhill parts but nothing that requires special skills to conquer. You will want the map from the nature center to help guide you. The trails are marked by color markers but there are a lot of unmarked trails. The trails are well worn and if walking on dirt gets old there are plenty of paved trails. I gave it 3 star because the trails are not well marked, well worn but not well marked. Pooches allowed just keep them on a leash. Sunscreen not needed on the trails but you follow the paved roads then yes you will need it. Happy trail blazing!

What’s not to love?! Winding trails alongside a creek, picnic tables, a grassy field where kids can play, and frisbee throwers can throw. I just moved to northern Virginia and i love discovering new parks and trails. I enjoyed this place so much that i try to go once a week to get a good outdoor workout. Running and hiking the trails and then yoga on the fields. I’m in heaven.

As nice as any nature spot could be in a city. So by city green standards, 5 stars all the way! You can break up the multiple trails into days of hiking (if you include Glover Archbold, Battery Kemble, Soapstone, Melvin Hazen as trails that lead into RCP) as well as all the trails within RCP itself. You are never too far from the city and its hustle and bustle, but you still get enough peace and quiet. On any given day, you might see more deer than people, which is always a bonus, at least in my book! A must visit for anyone staying in DC for more than half a year!!!

Unilocal, yet again, sorry but you’re a moron.
The original review I wrote below was for «Rock Creek Park» in general, not the nature center. Jerks. Why’d you go and change everything around to make it all wrong?
You did this with my review of the Capitol building, too, turning it into the visitor’s center. Hey, I didn’t review the freaking visitor’s center — WHICH DIDN’T EXIST when I wrote the review. WHY WHY WHY???
Harrumph.
By the way, while I’m on this tirade, Faneuil Hall is not Quincy Marketplace. They’re adjacent, but not the same. Get it straight. If you want to go shuffling things around, you can spend hours sifting through those reviews and re-​assigning them to the correct heading.
PS: The nature center is a cute little place that hosts some regular astronomy events that are good for kids.

Really nice spot to end up at after a long hike. Stay for planatarium show. Total visit is 60 minutes.
There is a small trail nearby but skip it and do ridge trail.

Nature Center: Pretty substantial as they go, and with regular planetarium shows. There’s no shortage of parking, either, and a variety of ways to drive there.
Beach Drive and Ross Drive are useful conveyances during the week, and closed in parts during the weekend to allow for bicycle and foot traffic.
The real highlight, though, is the park itself, which offers trails at a variety of difficulty levels traversing the entire District from north to south and beyond. The creek, while the water quality is poor, offers a tremendous aesthetic minutes away from urbanized areas. Numerous parking spots and picnic areas to explore, and the trails are good during all seasons.
The entire park is a national treasure.

My new favorite park (sorry Great Falls and Teddy Roosevelt Park).
I like to come here for weekend bike rides and picnics. Beach Drive is closed off on weekends so you get a smooth uninterrupted ride which is awesome in the heart of the city. Being a slowpoke I always coast on the right enjoying the sights as I’m lapped by bike groups training for their next races and triathlons.
There are also plenty of picnic areas to stop for a break with a huge amount of space for large groups (spaces can be reserved).
There are also divergent hiking trails and streams to follow so you could really spend a good afternoon at this park. I’d definitely recommend visiting this park if you already haven’t.

I’ve lived in the DC area for 14 years now, and — honestly — not a single week goes by that I don’t marvel at the diversity of opportunities we enjoy around here! I had spent very little time in Rock Creek Park, but on a recent glorious spring weekend day a friend and I drove down to the MD/​DC line, as Beach Drive is closed there on Saturdays and Sundays, making for a fantastic place for a walk, run or bike ride. Everything was SO green, and we truly enjoyed our walk through the woods.

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.