Rock Creek Park
Other · DC
Park Closure · Nature Center and Planetarium Closure
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 Closure · Part 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/Metropolitan Branch Trail and north of Brookland Ave NE/Farragut St. due to the investigation involving two WWI-era munitions found.
More informationPark Closure · Waterside Drive NW Road Closure Temporarily Delayed
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.
More information
Rock Creek Park is truly a gem in our nation's capital. 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.
- NPS site
- nps.gov/rocr
- Location
- Rock Creek Park (38.951, -77.050)
Track your visit to Rock Creek Park
NP Tracker keeps a record of every National Park Service unit you visit — all 430-plus of them. Log visits with dates and photos, collect passport stamps, plan trips, and watch your map fill in. It's free.
Passport stamp locations
- Nature Center
- Old Stone House
- Peirce Mill
Hours
Rock Creek Park landstoday: Sunrise to Sunset
- Sat Oct 3Sunrise to Sunset
- Sun Oct 4Sunrise to Sunset
- Mon Oct 5Sunrise to Sunset
- Tue Oct 6Sunrise to Sunset
- Wed Oct 7Sunrise to Sunset
- Thu Oct 8Sunrise to Sunset
- Fri Oct 9Sunrise to Sunset
Unless otherwise designated, all park land is open sunrise to sunset. Roads are open 24 hours unless posted otherwise.
Hours are retrieved from the National Park Service and can change without notice — check the official site before you go.
Visitor centers
3
- Nature Centerclosed todayDirections
- Old Stone Housetoday: 11:00AM - 7:00PMDirections
- Peirce Milltoday: 10:00AM - 4:00PMDirections
Self-guided tours
6
After Emancipation- life in the Rock Creek Valley45–60 minutes · 5 stops
Explore Rock Creek Park through the stories of those formerly enslaved and the lives they built in what would become the park.
Boulder Bridge Loop Hike90–120 minutes · 11 stops
Follow this 4-mile long trail through Rock Creek Park to the iconic Boulder Bridge and back to the Rock Creek Nature Center
Explore the historic Herring Hill neighborhood of Georgetown60–180 minutes · 7 stops
Historically, the area of Georgetown South of P Street (between 29th Street NW and Rock Creek) was known as Herring Hill. The area was an historically African American neighborhood for almost 200 years until it was gentrified during the New Deal. Follow this tour to explore this historic neighborhood and contemplate the meaning of the word "community" and what it's loss can signify.
Meridian Hill Park30–120 minutes · 9 stops
A tour of the features and informational panels within Meridian Hill Park.
Entrance fees
No entrance fee.