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Rock Creek Park
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
39 reviews for Rock Creek Park
there's so much i don't care for bout Washington, DC.
to name a few...
- i love skyscrapers which DC has none of... the one tall structure standing, the Monument, is as boring as they come... even if it's phallic in appearance.
- you have to go into NoVA to get decent pho. (this is actually something i don't care much bout really, since i live in NoVA... just braggin).
- there are absolutely NO clubs worth going to anymore. or maybe i'm just getting old. either or, i stand by this statement.
- and last but def not least... the people. what a bunch of pretentious assholes for no good reason. hell, DC ain't even a real city. well... not to me. sorry.
but.... one good thing i can say bout this town. actually, one GREAT thing i can say bout this town is they have Rock Creek Park. by far, one of the kewlest most awesomely laid out parks i've ever visited.
and if you're a bridge fanatic (i be), some of the most spectacular bridges you will ever lay your eyes on just happen to be on the road which drives you through this lovely park.
so... next time you got some time and it's nice out... grab yourself a bottle of vino, a special person and pop a squat here while overlooking the Potomac. you will not be disappointed. i never am.
Rock Creek Park trail is like your mom's cooter-- bumpy, cold, and a lot of people use it.
I much prefer the Custis/W&OD or Mt Vernon trails, but RCP will suffice in a pinch.
Rock Creek park is a natural paradise in the city. What a lovely way to enjoy the warm weather and outdoors. Great place to bike, run, rollerblade and bbq.
I also know it as way to cut through the city traffic. Too bad the GPS routing algorithms seem to route around this time saver. Just drive to Rock Creek and let the GPS figure how to route from there.
This is a great place for an early morning jog. I love coming with my girlfriend to relax, enjoy nature and take in the surroundings.
I have nothing but love for this park. It has a horse stable, it lets me go to sleep to the sound of crickets every night and brightens my drive every morning when I go to work. Gorgeous! Sometimes I see weirdos in the woods but I'm hoping they're mystical fauna and not bad people.
Rock Creek Park is a great place to go running, walking or cycling. It's convenient to several neighborhoods and gives you a nice change of scenery from running on the streets. The trail is pretty narrow and can be a little crowded on weekends. I like to follow the park south and then run over the bridge towards Arlington or pick up the C&O Canal trail in Georgetown.
I'm a morning runner and I've always felt pretty safe in the park. But as a woman, I just don't feel safe running alone in Rock Creek in the dark (who wants to risk being the next Chandra Levy?) I avoid the park on those still dark winter mornings and any time after dusk. If you have a running buddy you'd probably be fine.
Keon D. suggested I write this review as it had not occurred to me before. Applause!
I frequent Rock Creek Park pretty often, I live within running distance and find myself there on my long runs. My favorite park ever, great for cycling, running, walking, or just taking a book and lounging. The feature for which it gets its name is awesome. Huge rocks and boulders in the middle of the creek, that enable you to hop to the middle of a bubbling stream, find a comfy boulder and lay out in the sun. Various streets are closed off to cars on the weekend which is great for pedestrians and families. Winding roads, hills and trails make for a great work out or lively stroll if you take it easy.
Rock Creek Park is so amazing and beautiful. I can't decide which area of the park is my favorite. The southern end around Dupont and Adams Morgan with the sweeping bridges and deep valleys or the northern end near my home in Silver Spring with its winding roads and Rock Creek Trail?
It's great to have such a large piece of nature cutting right through DC. Yeah, NYC has Central Park which is no doubt amazing also...but its almost over designed and might be called too civilized. Rock Creek is more 'natural'. Have you ever driven in the park or next to it on a hot day and noticed the huge temperature difference? This park is also helping DC lover its 'environmental impace' with carbon eating vegetation and lowering of the heat island effect.
When I moved to DC 5 years ago for college, Rock Creek Park seemed like this scary place where Chandra Levy died and a place not to venture into. I later discovered the Adams Morgan part of the park and the Connecticut Ave Bridge and was in love. When I moved to Silver Spring a year ago I knew I could see RC from my balcony and it was pretty, but I didn't know how to get into it. Recently I found the short cut into the city on Beach Drive through the park. Today I got a bike and have rediscovered Rock Creek all over again.
I love it so much that I am almost starting to like the fact I live in Silver Spring so I can have easy access to it and to the Rock Creek Trail. DC would not be anywhere near as livable without this wonderful park. Explore it if you haven't!!
Tough to find a spot where you can't hear cars or planes flying out of national airport. Who's the jerk who decided to allow cars to drive through a park? Nothing like sitting in nature and hearing an unmuffled motorcycle in the distance.
I did manage to find some spots worth the trip, but coming from McPherson square was a chore! Had to take the dilapidated S4 bus about say 20 blocks, so that was not the ideal start for a day in the park. I'll try entering from the west side next time, by the animal prison.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention the sewage smell permeating a few areas.
Totally digging the outdoors while the weather holds up.
Went to Rock Creek Park this weekend for a hike. Which was great - heat and all. We took the Valley trail which is a little off the beaten path and also close to the creek so you can stop and ponder on a rock for a little bit.
Next time we're hitting Beach Drive with our bikes. Photos to come soon.
My favorite part about RCP is that Beach Drive closes on the weekends to traffic so you can ride your bike out there. You can ride all the way out to the Mormon Temple (Beach Drive eventually ends but there is still a straight shot to get up there). It's about 9 miles out to the Mormon Temple so it's not so long but there are awesome turn offs on Beach Drive for some great hill workouts!
There is nothing I love more than running through Rock Creek Park. I like to enter by the Omni Hotel, swing a right, run past the creek and the old cemetery, and exit down on N street. The route is beautiful- the river, the green trees, the grass, and the constant sightings of happy people running with their pets. It's the perfect place to go for a run, and, even if you don't like running, it's a great spot to take your dog or to sit and enjoy a great book. If you need an escape from the city in the city, this is where you should go.
Feels odd reviewing a park, but it's necessary because everyone nearby needs to take advantage of this wonderful space. Rock Creek Park comprises a huge area, so whether you're in Dupont or near the border of Maryland, you can come and unwind in the beauty of nature right here in DC.
The hiking trails are especially beautiful north of the Zoo. Get on the trail up by the Cleveland Park Metro stop, and enjoy a blissful walk through the woods. Forget the bustle and car horns of downtown city life, and take in the crisp air and bird calls. Plenty of trails on which to lose yourself...
There's also an excellent outdoor theatre, the Carter Barron Amphitheatre. And tennis courts. And plenty of picnicking places! Just go to the park. Everyone has something to get out of it.
The park's great for running of course and it's a beautiful urban oasis, blah blah. I do all my long running here and it's my spot to take to when not running hains point and the mall during lunch.
HOWEVER, my absolute favorite thing that i discovered--and i didn't know this before --is that on the weekend, they close down Beach Drive(which is north of that dog park and the old mill) so you can just run or bike in the middle of the road for at least 4 miles.
It's really peaceful b/c that stretch can be bad for cars zipping around and the side is sketch for ankle rolling reasons.
Good rolling hills too, which are important.
After living in the DC Metro area for two years, I finally had a chance to explore a piece of this massive park. DC is great for its green spaces, and I'm happy to report that Rock Creek Park is a great place for a hike away from the chaos of city life. We explored the area around Georgetown, and saw plenty of track runners making their way through the paths. My puppy loved running through the woods, and considering we were in the middle of the city, it was hardly noticeable. Many times during the hike, there were no noises or people to be seen. We came across a couple other people walking their dogs off leash, too. I also appreciated how we could get out of the woods really easily and end up in Georgetown for quick bite. A fun way to spend a Saturday or Sunday.
Running through here is one my favorite things to do in DC. It's so lovely that it's enough to get me off my lazy ass at least half of the time.
Rock Creek Park is an urban oasis; a tree-filled sanctuary that offers a wonderful respite from the heat of summer. That much you probably already know.
But did you know that you can reserve a picnic grove in Rock Creek Park? I was amazed when we pulled up to picnic area #13 for a 1st birthday party on Saturday. Not only was there plenty of grass and picnic tables, there was also a BBQ pit and a shelter. The area was certainly big enough to accommodate the maximum number of people allowed, 75, with plenty of room left over for a volleyball net to be set up, croquet to be played and space for kids to run around. There was also ample parking near the picnic area.
Here's the skinny on reserving picnic areas in Rock Creek Park:
You must reserve them in person at the DC Department of Parks and Recreation on 16th Street.
The cost is $7.00.
Potluck picnic anyone?
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? Me thinks not!
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 (not on the trails, obviously) or just to sit and veg.
Reviewing Rock Creek Park is a little like reviewing the Atlantic Ocean. It's kind of big, some sections are better than others, and everyone visits for a different reason.
That said, I'll review the two short stretches of the park that I know best:
1. The brief stretch beginning at the Omni Shoreham hotel and heading north behind the National Zoo, up to Porter Street in Cleveland Park, is smelly. For some reason, there is a lot of sewage backup in this part of the river. However, I would recommend a walk from the bottom exit of the Zoo down to the Omni simply because the Duke Ellington and Taft bridges are gorgeous from below.
2. The long walk (or bike) from Viers Mill Road in Rockville north to Lake Needwood (snark!) is beautiful! The path is nice and wide, with plenty of room for bikers and walkers/joggers to coexist. Rock Creek is fairly clean and non-offensive smelling at this point, and there are lots of fish, birds, and other small creatures in and on the water. Lake Needwood is pretty and features picnic areas, boating and the like. If you're looking for an easy day hike, this is a nice stretch to do.
The feeling you'll get is, "I can't believe I'm still in the city!"
This weekend I had a guest in town and instead of working my way down the Talented Tourista list I took Rock Creek Park up river and landed at the Nature Center and Planetareum.
It truly is in the middle of the park and you feel like you've transported yourself out of the city and into the wilds of Maryland but you're only about 10 minutes away from the north end of Conneticut Ave. and Chevy Chase Maryland.
The Nature Center is free and has exhibits on the different wild life that is in the park. The overall feeling of the nature center is a little hokey but if you have small children, act like a small child or just like nature this is a great way to spend part of your afternoon.
Also, the center is filled with maps of trails, picnic loactions and other hard to find gems in Rock Creek Park.
The one thing I would warn about it that the Park is also a top spot in the city to dispose of a body or to be abducted in. So please buddy up if you decide to go jogging close to dark. :)
I used to think that DC is just full of...well...houses, buildings, restaurants, muesums. Just a busy city life here I have been here since 96'... When I was hired to work as a case manager, my job was to take my clients out to doctor's appointments, social security offices, courts, etc... I learned to take few short cuts and etc...
I found a delight when I was driving through the city and saw that DC is not only a city but also a hint of "country-ness". Gorgeous place and perfect for exercise - walking, biking, running, etc... Also perfect for picnics, and just simply breath in fresh air.
Thanks DC for giving me a break from my hectic life. :)
I ran in the park when I lived in Rockville, and now that I'm living in DC... I'm STILL running in the same freakin park! It's a huge, wonderful runners' paradise. I have to agree with Heath A: I can't believe I'm still in the city!
My man doesn't feel comfortable if I try to take a run when it's dark; but during daylight, there are plenty of well-marked trails and a ton of other runners around too.
You'd think with all this running that I'd have a runner's ass by now. RCP, can't you help me attain that runner's ass I so covet? I guess all of my food Yelping far outweighs my workout Yelping. Oh, well. It's worth it!
I pick up the trail around the lincoln memorial for a nice 6 mile or so run after work. This is a great alternative to the treadmill.
Pros:
-flat where I'm running on it
-minimal pesky street crossings
-near the water at certain parts
-port-a-potties
-great people watching
Cons:
-no water fountains that I saw (seems a bit odd considering the presence of port-o-potties)
-paved, i.e. not gentle on the joints
-bikers that do not like to share the trail (not as bad as chicago lakefront bikers though)
My favorite part is the section that leads to the backyard of Dumbarton Oaks. There is a quasi-open field, and in springtime, it's filled with smiling daffodils.
I added some photos from a hike there last summer. Enjoy.
Oh, where to begin? Rock Creek Park really is too big and broken-up to sum up in a single review, so I am tempted to tackle every single area of the park. However, I will spare the reader and name only my favorite locations...perhaps in time I will devote a special review for each spot.
1) 22nd and Q - Here you will find a low, gently sloping meadow stretching from 22nd street over to 25th or so...follow the footpath down from the Dumbarton bridge, cross the tree-surrounded meadow, and work your way back up toward tennis and basketball courts.
2) Harvard St NW & Mount Pleasant St NW & Columbia St NW - There is always a scene at the crossroads of Mount Pleasant and Columbia Heights. Men with coats stuffed with beer bottles, watching guard for each other as the one pisses in the bushes, their bicycles parked on the walkway. Don't worry - they won't cause you any trouble.
3) Underneath the Dumbarton bridge, along the bike path the north - There you will find a quiet, babbling little brook with a bottom so pebbly it'd make Hemingway sigh. There's also a historic cemetary up the hill, resting place of freed black slaves.
Not much I can say about it that hasn't been said already- hands down, my favorite place to run in the city, and a fun addition to bike rides too. Definitely the best place to see fall colors if you can't get out of town for the day.
One caveat-- I try to keep my running north of the Connecticut Ave. bridge since certain parts along the creek just south of there can have a low-tide/sewer smell at certain times (although going past the old cemetery by the waterside is very cool).
It seems strange to review something like Rock Creek Park, but it really is one of my favorite aspects of living in the District, in no small part because its a runner's paradise. Along those lines, I wanted to throw in my tricks for navigating its ubiquitous and often-confusing running trails.
I live in Cleveland Park, and I access the park through the footpath on the north side at the end of Quebec Street, which winds down along the south edge of the Hazen branch. The path empties out into the large open space south of the Peirce Mill. I think this is the ideal spot to begin a run, because this spot is the northern terminus of the paved running/biking path, and the southern terminus of the unpaved forest trails. If the weather is rough, I take the paved path, which runs through the zoo (or through the Beach Drive tunnel, if you're feeling brave) past a parkour course at the Rock Creek Parkway/24th St junction, and under many of DC's beautiful bridges all the way to the Watergate. However, if the weather is even remotely nice, I head north along the unpaved path next to the creek, and up into the woods north of Broad Branch Road. This path is basically forest trail, so its easier on the knees and less traveled. You do share the path with the occasional horse (and horse puck), but there's plenty of room for everyone. Where the trail splits at Broad Branch and Beach Road, take the right fork and head up the (steep) hill. After a mile and half, continue through the open space and under the Military Road overpass. The trail continues through a stretch of woods and along the creek for a bit, and then through a paved boat landing, along a short paved strip, and then up into the woods again at Bingham Drive. A half mile into the woods from here is three miles from Peirce Mill, which is as far as I've explored.
No matter where you enter this park, whether its on P street, Connecticut anc Calvert, Irving, or further north, you will surely find an area to enjoy.
Pick-up frisbee games on Thursdays are great, and the bike trails are pretty awesome, too. Its a combination of pavement (great for the road bikes) and gravel-esque. On the weekends they close the park of Rock Creek that hits the Crescent Trail off from cars, so your can ride with ease.
Picnics, running, sunbathing, dog walking, bike-riding (big shot out to all the rollerbladers out there! The dream lives on!), hiking, etc....Rock Creek delivers...and its so close to home!
Potomac River Watershed Clean Up Day 2008 at the Fenwick Branch to Rock Creek is 9:00 a.m. - noon, Saturday, April 5, 2008.
The Fenwick Branch flows through the north corner of the District from East Chevy Chase and Silver Spring. Near the Silver Spring station. Register at North Portal Drive (Colesville Road) and East Beach Drive. Near Beach Drive and West Beach Drive intersection if you are traveling through Rock Creek Park.
This event is not only eco-friendly and an opportunity for community service and Karma adjustment, but has aspects of a big "block party" as well. Come out and make a difference. Meet your trans-jurisdictional watershed neighbors.
I love Rock Creek Park, not only because it provides me with a tourist-free commute to work that cuts my drive time in half, but also its an urban oasis where you can escape from the hustle and bustle of the city without ever leaving the metro area. Occasionally there are areas of the park that reek like raw sewage and I feel that in this situation, ignorance is bliss. I just tend to avoid the stink clouds. My fave area of the park is the picnic area by Tilden, with its ample open space, restrooms and parking... it's an apartment dwellers backyard practically. On the weekends I recommend setting up shop early tho, because picnic tables there are prime property in DC. Great for cookouts, partys and just lounging around tossing some bocce balls around :)
In the wise spirit of the previous review, here's one spot:
Beach Drive (closed section on weekends):
where Beach Drive closes on weekends, at its southern end, take the hiking trail that is left of the road and ascends the cliffs there. This is a great little trail on which to lose oneself in thought, especially mid-day weekdays, or on clear, cold winter days when the crowds are elsewhere. You can then do a return trip on the other side of the road, as there is also a kind of cliff trail on that side as well. Beautiful respite from this me-first city life.
nothing i write here is much different than what previous reviews have said about RCP. just wanted to reiterate that this place is one of the best things about DC. i run in/around/through this park often. so peaceful! there are both paved and nonpaved trails to run/hike/walk on... some rolling hills... little traffic on the weekends (due to the closing down of beach drive).
My husband & I were so happy to discover RCP in the middle of the city! What a pretty, serene place! We had a great walk/hike and picnic at one of the many picnic tables along the path. We also saw some neat wildlife. We'd definitely like to bring out of town guests here as a nice break from seeing museums & monuments. A couple warnings though: make sure you check carefully for ticks before you leave. (We didn't find our little hitchhiker until a couple days later. Boo.) Also, don't bring your frisbee and toss it around next to the creek unless you actually know how to throw one... unlike me... especially if you don't have someone with you that can skillfully fish it out with two sticks without falling down the steep bank.
Made me feel like Chandra Levy! This weekend I tried something different. I tried running outside of the gym or around Georgetown...I decided to run Rock Creek Park. "Gosh I'm outdoorsy and boy am I a hardcore runner," I thought to myself. Unfortunately, the only thing "hardcore" about my run through the Rock Creek trails was the kinky hook-up I spotted btw. two older gents and the number of folks that scared me as they flashed their pearly yellow/ black pedosmiles from about five to ten feet off the trail. I got a good run in but mainly because I felt like I was about to be violated in some way. Fine for groups but I was creeped out by myself - and not just because I look great in running shorts, because it was creepy.
The nature center's nice, but Rock Creek's real charms are its running trails. Not the paved sidewalks that hug the road mind you, Im talking about the Western and Ridge trails -- single path bits of nastiness that any runner who yearns to get off the beaten path (literally) will love. My dog loves em too - and thats the extra benny here: 16 miles of parallel paths soaring up and plummeting down around the creek bed. Dont run in here alone for safetys sake (everyone turns an ankle in here at some point) and dont go in here your first few times without someone who knows the trails or youll end up hopelessly and utterly lost. Imagine getting lost in the middle of the city? RCP is DC's BEST SECRET!
A huge wilderness snaking its way through the literal heart of the city. When you're there, you'd think you were in the country. Whoever had the foresight to establish this as a park, thank you! All Washingtonians owe you an immense debt of gratitude. The park is also the home of Washington's best shortcut- Rock Creek Parkway. My god this road has probably saved me days of time over the course of my life.
The hubby and I took the dog out on one of the trails this weekend. It was gorgeous! A creek running alongside the path drowned out all noises of the city. We felt like we had been transported somewhere else. The best part was we practically had the trail to ourselves. We started off in Adam's Morgan heading south and then took the Normandstone Parkway trail. The trail began in the woods and then let us out in a secluded neighborhood filled with gorgeous old homes. We followed it until we hit the national cathedral and then headed home. The whole family had huge smiles on their faces the whole time, including our dog. We'll definitely be checking out another trail the next cool weekend in DC.
Rock Creek Park is beautiful and in a very central part of Washington, but bikers can't mountain bike through most of the trails without getting a fatty ticket. The trails are perfect single track trails too so it's like a huge tease.
Alright folks, I'm back after a 3-month long hiatus! I'm back in my hometown in the Bay Area (No. CA) for the year ahead, but I still have plenty of reviews to do for the DC metro area (a place I'd also like to call HOME). I came to this park for a Sunday afternoon walk after an awesome brunch of pecan pancakes, sausages and fresh fruit that a good friend of mine (thanks Gracie!) made for friends and me since it's within walking distance to her studio in the Adams Morgan area. It was a nice sunny afternoon (back in April, I believe...haha) and folks were out about going for bike rides or runs. We went for a 30-45 min. walk along the trail. I wouldn't give it all 5 stars b/c it's not the 'safest' place to go for a walk or run. You have to be careful about traffic (there are some parts of the trail where you're walking along cars zipping by), plus there could be some pretty remote areas so I wouldn't advise females going for an evening jog by themselves in these parts. But, it's a great escape from the city!
