3-Mile Rolling Meadows Bridge Hike
This trail allows visitors to make the choice between the more rugged Valley Trail and the multi-use paved trail. Park visitors can enjoy creek views and a gentle walk through the forest.
Year-round Pets allowed
Park · DC
Things to do in Rock Creek
The National Park Service lists 25 things to do at Rock Creek Park. 20 have no extra fee, 21 need no reservation, and 20 allow pets. Each listing links to the full NPS page. Data is from the NPS snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Updated · NPS Data API
7-mile Hiking/Biking Loop
This 7-mile trek is fully accessible and utilizes closed roads and multi-use trails in the park. Steep descents and sharp turns can make this a challenging and fun ride for everyone.
Year-round Pets allowed
Biking in Rock Creek Park
Bicycling is permitted on paved surfaces in Rock Creek Park.
Year-round Pets allowed
Boating in Rock Creek Park
Rent kayaks, canoes and stand up paddle boards from one of two boat houses along the Potomac River.
Reservation required Fee applies
Boulder Bridge Hike
Hike the 3.5-mile Boulder Bridge Loop from the Rock Creek Park Nature Center to one of the most iconic places in Rock Creek Park
90-200 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Bridge Loop Trail
This 8-mile loop hike will take you on an adventure through the northern section of Rock Creek Park. In addition, you will cross over five of the named bridges that cross Rock Creek.
3-6 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
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Discover Meridian Hill Park
Meridian Hill Park was designed and built between 1912 and 1936, and has been under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service since 1933.
1-2 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Explore the Georgetown Waterfront
Explore the Georgetown Waterfront and imagine the changes the space has gone through.
60-160 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Explore the Outdoors at Rock Creek Park
Rock Creek Park is truly a gem in our nation's capital. This park offers visitors the opportunity to escape the bustle of the city and find a peaceful refuge with majestic trees, wild animals, fresh air, recreational opportunities, and thousands of years of…
Year-round Pets allowed
Golf in DC's National Parks
Visit one of three golf courses at National Parks in Washington, DC
Spring, Summer Reservation required Fee applies
Golf
Hike the Northern Loop in Rock Creek Park
Enjoy an easy 5-mile round trip hike around the northern section of Rock Creek Park.
120 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Hike the Southern Loop in Rock Creek Park
The Southern Loop provides visitors with an almost 5-mile loop to explore the deciduous forests of the Western Ridge and provides numerous opportunities for varying terrain on the return trip to their vehicles.
120 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Hike the Valley Trail
The Valley Trail stretches for five miles down the east side of Rock Creek Park from Boundary Bridge to a spot near Peirce Mill and Picnic Grove #1.
Year-round Pets allowed
Hike the Western Ridge Trail
The Western Ridge Trail has green trail markings and runs the length of the park north to south.
Year-round Pets allowed
Horseback Riding in Rock Creek Park
For the horseback rider, 13 miles of dirt and gravel bridle paths crisscross the park.
Reservation required Fee applies
Jusserand Memorial Loop
Follow in the steps of President Roosevelt and French Diplomat Jean Jules Jusserand on this rigorous five mile hike. See the first memorial dedicated to a foreign diplomat erected on federal property.
Year-round Pets allowed
Milkhouse Ford Hike
This 1.75-mile loop hike offers a glimpse into Washington, DC’s history—a Civil War fort, poet’s cabin, and historic creek crossing (or ford).
Year-round Pets allowed
Multi-Park Loop
Park your car and stretch your legs! Visit four different National Parks in Washington, DC and begin logging miles on seven different National Historic or National Scenic trails!
Year-round Pets allowed
Rapids Bridge Hike
This 2-mile loop hike takes you through the forest and then parallels scenic Rock Creek before heading back uphill.
Year-round Pets allowed
Red Line - DC Metro
Embrace the outdoors, explore interactive exhbits and stand where history happened by taking the Red Line to visit some of DC's National Park Sites.
1-2 Days Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Spring Ephemeral Hike
Enjoy a 1.5-mile hike through the northern floodplain of Rock Creek Park and look for spring ephemerals.
45-120 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Survey Fort Stevens
Take a step back in time and imagine the sights and sounds of the Civil War at a Civil War Defense of Washington.
30-90 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Tennis in Rock Creek Park
Open play courts are available at Montrose Park, Francis Field off of 23rd St NW, as well as being the home to the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center.
Reservation required Fee applies
Team Sports
Visit the Planetarium
Learn about the night sky in the Rock Creek Park planetarium.
20-45 Minutes Year-round
Planetarium
Wander Through Georgetown Waterfront Park
Georgetown Waterfront Park stretches along the banks of the Potomac River
1-3 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Before you go
Check current alerts and closures, entrance fees and operating hours for Rock Creek. Programs and tours can change with the season or be cancelled on short notice — confirm on the NPS page before you plan around one.
Things to do at nearby parks
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Sources
- National Park Service Data API — things to do, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026. Descriptions are short excerpts; photos are NPS photos shown from nps.gov with their credit.
- Rock Creek Park — things to do on nps.gov