Rock Creek Park
Quick Facts
- Location
- USA, Washington
- Category
- Sightseeing
- Duration
- Recommended 3-5 hours
- Opening Hours
- Daily 09:00-17:00 · Park open sunrise to sunset daily; visitor center and planetarium Wed-Sun 9:00-17:00
- Ticket Price
- Adult: Free · Free entry; planetarium shows require free reservation via recreation.gov
- Address
- Park View, Washington, 20010, District of Columbia, United States of America
- Coordinates
- 38.9371, -77.0191
Introduction
Established in 1890, Rock Creek Park is the third-oldest national park under the National Park Service, covering about 6.7 square kilometers along the Rock Creek valley in northwest Washington, D.C. The park preserves a natural forested gorge saved from the L'Enfant plan era, with Rock Creek Parkway hugging the stream and serving as the capital backyard for cycling, running, horseback riding, and picnics. Native hardwoods such as oak, hickory, and tulip poplar dominate the canopy, sheltering white-tailed deer, red foxes, woodpeckers, and occasional eastern coyotes. The historic Peirce Mill, the Rock Creek Horse Center, and the Nature Center planetarium offer varied experiences, while weekend road closures hand the lower valley to cyclists and pedestrians, making this a rare urban wilderness refuge in the capital.
✨ Highlights
🛈 Practical Info
Opening Hours
| Wednesday | 09:00-17:00 |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 09:00-17:00 |
| Friday | 09:00-17:00 |
| Saturday | 09:00-17:00 |
| Sunday | 09:00-17:00 |
Park open sunrise to sunset daily; visitor center and planetarium Wed-Sun 9:00-17:00
Ticket Information
| Adult | Free |
|---|
Free entry; planetarium shows require free reservation via recreation.gov
💡 Tips
FAQ
What are the opening hours of Rock Creek Park?
Wednesday: 09:00-17:00; Thursday: 09:00-17:00; Friday: 09:00-17:00; Saturday: 09:00-17:00; Sunday: 09:00-17:00; Park open sunrise to sunset daily; visitor center and planetarium Wed-Sun 9:00-17:00
How much is the admission for Rock Creek Park?
Adult: Free; Free entry; planetarium shows require free reservation via recreation.gov
Any practical tips for visiting Rock Creek Park?
Planetarium shows require free reservations on recreation.gov and fill fast Parkway closes to cars on weekend mornings after 9 a.m. for top cycling
How long should I spend at Rock Creek Park?
A typical visit takes Recommended 3-5 hours.
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