The so-called "urban" Rock Creek Park in DC encompasses more than 2,000 acres – more than twice the size of Central Park in New York City – extending 12 miles from the Potomac River to the border of Maryland.
Established in 1890 by Congressional decree, the park includes more than 1,700 acres along the Rock Creek Valley, as well as having jurisdiction for several other city parks including the Glover Archbold Park, Montrose Park, Dumbarton Oaks Park, Meridian Hill Park, Battery Kemble Park, Palisades Park, and Whitehaven Park, among others.
The park includes equestrian trails, a range of sport venues, a nature center and planetarium (the only planetarium in the National Park System), an outdoor concert hall, and various picnic and playground facilities.
Rock Creek offers great opportunities for various bicyclists and outdoor activities, such as jogging, cycling, and roller-blading. Particularly popular is Beach Drive and the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway.
Attraction Information
- Hours:
- 8am to 5pm daily
- Admission:
- Free
- Metro Stop:
- Redline to the Cleveland Park Station
- Contact:
- Location: 3545 Williamsburg Lane, NW Washington DC
- Phone: 202-895-6000
- Website: www.nps.gov
Programs and Facilities
- Ranger lead programs:
- Rock Creek Park Rangers lead a variety of interpretative programs that range from natural history, historical (colonial, milling and civil war), recreational and astronomy, through out the park. For further information call the Nature Center at 202-895-6070.
- Rock Creek Nature Center:
- Center 5200 Glover Road, NW Washington DC
- Phone: 202-895-6070
- Open Wednesday through Sunday: 9am to 5pm
- Rock Creek Planetarium:
- Center 5200 Glover Road, NW Washington DC
- Phone: 202-895-6070
- Free tickets for the planetarium shows can be picked up at the information desk in the Nature Center.
