Rock Creek Park
Rock Creek Park
4.5
6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
About
Not just a park in the city, but a kind of leisurely museum, with a scattering of Civil War forts, a cemetery and a 19th-century mill within its bounds.
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Address
Neighbourhood: Cleveland Park
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4.5
289 reviews
Excellent
171
Very good
103
Average
13
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Teardrop Trailer Traveler
United States783 contributions
Jun 2021
Full disclosure - I probably should have programed by GPS better. I intended to go to the southern end of the park, near the bridge and the nature center. However, my GPS took me to the northern end of the park. (Of course, I won't hold that against Rock Creek Park.) As it was later in the evening and the road through the park was closed to vehicles, I decided I didn't have enough time to figure out how to get to where I wanted to go and opted to talk a walk. I walked part of the Valley Trail along Rock Creek, then took Beach Road back.
I couldn't believe I was in Washington, DC! I've been to Washington many times. It's one of my favorite places to visit. It's also filled with people, traffic, and buildings. Rock Creek Park was forested, quiet and calm. It felt more like my native New England than Washington. Instead of marble architecture, I was surrounded by trees. Instead of traffic and people, the air was silent. It was unreal, but in a good way.
Overall, it was a very nice evening walk. I'd still like to get to the south end of the park to see more, but I'd recommend the north end to anyone looking to talk a nice walk in the woods.
I couldn't believe I was in Washington, DC! I've been to Washington many times. It's one of my favorite places to visit. It's also filled with people, traffic, and buildings. Rock Creek Park was forested, quiet and calm. It felt more like my native New England than Washington. Instead of marble architecture, I was surrounded by trees. Instead of traffic and people, the air was silent. It was unreal, but in a good way.
Overall, it was a very nice evening walk. I'd still like to get to the south end of the park to see more, but I'd recommend the north end to anyone looking to talk a nice walk in the woods.
Written 4 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bremner Andrew
176 contributions
Sept 2019 • Solo
🇺🇸🇺🇸🎤🎤 Oh say can you see 🎼🎼 🇺🇸🇺🇸
Awesome 23 km hike here in Washington DC today. One of the most tranquil hikes I’ve done. ⭐️⭐️⭐️Just beautiful forests and rivers all along the way. Bridges dating back 150 years ago. Woman , families with children hike here and you feel safe💥💥💥. Took over 6 hours to do this hike and loved it. Awesome to see a Mill en en route.
Spectacular hike being over 90 percent of the time in lush forest
I did a 16 hour Trans Atlantic flight to do come so this hike and I feel refreshed 🇺🇸🇺🇸
Awesome 23 km hike here in Washington DC today. One of the most tranquil hikes I’ve done. ⭐️⭐️⭐️Just beautiful forests and rivers all along the way. Bridges dating back 150 years ago. Woman , families with children hike here and you feel safe💥💥💥. Took over 6 hours to do this hike and loved it. Awesome to see a Mill en en route.
Spectacular hike being over 90 percent of the time in lush forest
I did a 16 hour Trans Atlantic flight to do come so this hike and I feel refreshed 🇺🇸🇺🇸
Written 1 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I visited this place🇫🇷🇺🇸🇬🇷🇨🇭🇬🇧
Israel35,129 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
PROS
• Big massive and green
• Lush and verdant
• Walking hiking biking
CONS
• Major thoroughfare Md and DC
“I VISITED THIS PLACE”…
… for regular travel from Maryland to DC- total pleasure. Many cars on the roads of the park. I knew that there are also hiking trails and we tried one, but it was not risky shaded so Mr. Prince did not want to do it.
• Big massive and green
• Lush and verdant
• Walking hiking biking
CONS
• Major thoroughfare Md and DC
“I VISITED THIS PLACE”…
… for regular travel from Maryland to DC- total pleasure. Many cars on the roads of the park. I knew that there are also hiking trails and we tried one, but it was not risky shaded so Mr. Prince did not want to do it.
Written 2 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathleen C
114 contributions
Nov 2015
This park was clean and surprisingly large. I went on a few hikes in it and never retraced any steps. Great for runners and hikers, and there are stables and the zoo! The only downside is limited parking and having to navigate DC traffic to get in and out. I recommend taking the metro to get there.
Written 17 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruth G
Columbia, MD1,143 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
Rock Creek Park includes acres of land in the heart of the city that have been left as natural woods, with a lovely stream running through the middle. There are miles of roads and walking or bike paths as well as many picnic areas. It's also fun to visit the old flour mill situated along the creek. Because the area has been left natural, it's home to local wildlife such as deer, raccoons, squirrels and lots of birds. As a kid, I always thought it was fun to drive under the huge stone bridges that span Connecticut Avenue above the park and to drive through the fords that cross the creek in several places.
Written 25 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
18rusty
Washington DC, District of Columbia224 contributions
Jun 2012
Does any other CITY in this country have such a SPECTACULAR park at their disposal, providing an escape from the DC area's daily hustle and bustle?
Rock Creek runs from suburban MD through NW DC and on to the Potomac. The land around the creek was made a public park in the 19th century and it used to house a bunch of mills - one of which is still standing (just a touch of history for ya!). On the weekends and holidays much of the road that runs through the park is closed to car traffic. For that reason, the park is hugely popular with city escapists looking to exercise (all the scenery makes the time pass in a much nicer way). It is also a great place to picnic, hike on the trails or just to sit and enjoy your surroundings.
Rock Creek runs from suburban MD through NW DC and on to the Potomac. The land around the creek was made a public park in the 19th century and it used to house a bunch of mills - one of which is still standing (just a touch of history for ya!). On the weekends and holidays much of the road that runs through the park is closed to car traffic. For that reason, the park is hugely popular with city escapists looking to exercise (all the scenery makes the time pass in a much nicer way). It is also a great place to picnic, hike on the trails or just to sit and enjoy your surroundings.
Written 18 February 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patrick & Danielle
Odum, GA161 contributions
Nov 2019
Pretty park... We went specifically to find the Old Capitol Stones. Short hike in... One of my favorite things we did in the week we were in Washington.
Written 28 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
misseryn29
Loveland, CO46 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
We kept on driving thru and realizing that is has much beauty from the many angles we saw it fro our car windows. We have promised to allow more time next time to actually get out and enjoy the beauty in person instead of from afar.
Written 2 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lolaz007
Washington, DC150 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
Maybe I should be more generous in my rating, say a 3.5? I admit I take Rock Creek Park for granted because I see it everyday. My apartment building in Northwest DC overlooks this expansive park.
It is a cool space for summer picnics, and I particularly like hanging out by the waterfall and mill. There are walking and bike trails, and also a lot of cars during rush hour too.
Some may recall this is where the remains of a Congressional intern were found (so sad for her family). While I used to go to the park alone, and it's relatively safe during the day, I still wouldn't recommend wandering the trails on your own. And personally, if I were a tourist visiting DC and wanted to get in a nature hike or have a park experience, I'd go to Great Falls (either Maryland or Virginia side) and take in the majestic falls.
It is a cool space for summer picnics, and I particularly like hanging out by the waterfall and mill. There are walking and bike trails, and also a lot of cars during rush hour too.
Some may recall this is where the remains of a Congressional intern were found (so sad for her family). While I used to go to the park alone, and it's relatively safe during the day, I still wouldn't recommend wandering the trails on your own. And personally, if I were a tourist visiting DC and wanted to get in a nature hike or have a park experience, I'd go to Great Falls (either Maryland or Virginia side) and take in the majestic falls.
Written 2 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sacred Valley Girl
San Andres Cholula, Mexico59 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
This park is beautifully kept, filled with birds, deer, and other wildlife, with gurgling brooks and well kept trails. One can walk for hours and when you know the trails, you can get to places that feel like the middle of nowhere instead of the capital of the world.
Written 22 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I realize camping isn't technically allowed, but would someone be able to bike into the park and do some hammock camping and not get caught? Hoping to save some $ on my next DC trip :P
Written 19 April 2022
can you recommend the best spot to have a picnic, and then walk a trail? we have never been and we aren't sure where do go for parking and so forth, the website isn't much help. Thank you
Written 24 April 2019
Pierce Mill is a very nice spot. There is a decent amount of parking there, and nice facilities for a picnic. Including a large shelter with many picnic tables. From Pierce Mill you can walk up and down along the creek on what I would call the Main Rock Creek Trail, which is a bike path. I don't believe that there is nearby access to hiking trails through the woods from Pierce Mill. For actual trails, there is another parking lot somewhere near the intersection between Joyce Rd NW and Ross Dr NW. Not so great for a picnic, but nice access to a great trail. If you do a search on Rock Creek Park Grove in Google Maps, you will see many different spots. I've driven by many of them, each seems to have some picnic facility and all have access to bike paths or trails. I live in DC, so I just drive to spots that I've seen without knowing how to tell people how to get there. Use Waze or Google Maps, navigating Rock Creek in a car is hard unless you know it well. Have fun!
Written 25 April 2019
Yes , but on leash only, and you must stay on the trails
Written 25 June 2016
Easy access from Cleveland Park Metro. Walk East on Porter Street down the hill. Before you start coming uphill, you'll see a road turnoff for Rock Creek Park. Head down that way to connect to the trail.
Or from Woodley Park, go south across Calvert Street, and down to the Park from the spur by the Shoreham Hotel.
Written 31 July 2016
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