Rock Creek Park Headquarters

3545 Williamsburg Ln NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA

Address:	3545 Williamsburg Ln NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Phone:	+1 202-895-6000
Site:	nps.gov
Rating:	4.6

Location

Photos 1

Reviews 13

Paul Andreason

Rock Creek Park isnt part of Montgomery County Park system while in Maryland and the National Park system when it crossed into Washington DC. It has been remarkably improved in Montgomery County from 2014 to 2017 with trails being regraded, better maintained and drainage installed. Prior to 2014, the park that is prone to routine flooding, was also had swampy conditions, muddy and rutted trails and mosquitoes. Montgomery County has put a lot of work into draining low ground to improve swampy conditions after flooding rains, installing new childrens playground equipment and adult exercise equipment along the trail. Storms frequently bring down large trees. If one cycle commutes, have alternate route in mind as trails may be impassable. The park in Maryland is now much more attractive and well maintained. Mosquitoes remain as do huge numbers of white tail deer. On the weekends and holidays, much of Beach Drive, running through Rock Creek Park, in Washington DC, is closed to motor vehicle traffic. This creates a good long bike route that is safe from overly excited, multitasking and otherwise distracted drivers. Alas, Beach Drive, in Washington DC, is in very poor condition for road bikes. It is full of ruts and potholes that blow tires and rattle ones bones. I recommend cycling on it with no less than 1.5 inch tires. Gravel bikes, mountain bikes and cruisers are fine, but save your carbon rims for better road. There are large picnic areas in Washington DC.

Justin Cantankerous

Dont go to the Parkway and expect to see the scenes in the pictures. Whoever set up this site has confused Rock Creek Park with the limited access highway that is the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway. From "Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway"; brochure from Highways in Harmony series, Historic American Buildings Survey, National Park Service. "Many people do not even know that Rock Creek Park and Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway are two separate parks, created at different times and for different purposes." "[Rock Creek Park] was created in 1890 to preserve an extensive area of woods and farmland as a suburban nature reserve." "By the mid-1920s ... only a bridle path led from the Mall to Rock Creek Park." Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway extends 2.5 miles from the National Zoo to the Lincoln Memorial. "Depression relief programs provided money to complete the project in the 1930s." The final bridge over the creek near P Street opened in 1936. "Traffic engineers quickly claimed that Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway could not accommodate the citys rapidly growing commuter traffic. The one-way rush-hour traffic system was established in 1937."

Susanna Parker

New Yorkers love to brag about Central Park, and with good reason. So Washingtonians should be equally proud of Rock Creek Park, one of the first national parks ever created, which celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2015. Rock Creek Park goes right through the center of DC, and contains running trails, bike paths, historic buildings, and local wildlife. On weekends, many of the roads are closed to cars, allowing cyclists and runners to take over the pavement. Rock Creek Park doesnt limit itself to the District - it stretches out into Maryland, with a 14 mile walking/biking trail that culminates at Lake Needwood. Along certain stretches of the trail youll find fitness stations, with equipment and directions for use. Some parts of the trail have bathrooms and water fountains, and there are playgrounds and parks along the length of it. Basically, if youre craving nature in DC but dont want to drive, Rock Creek Park is a wonderful resource.

Connor Gillis

A refuge in the city! The hiking trails are wonderful, and the creek makes you feel like you arent in the city. After a heavy rain, the creek offer paddlers some Class I- II rapids in short sections that you can run. Its a great alternative to driving further away from the city. I particularly love that they close the roads on the weekends to bike traffic only. This allows cyclists to get some training time in, as well as keeping hikers and horseback riders safe from speeding cars. I go to RCP every weekend and Im still finding something new about it to love. Highly recommended!

Alan Huynh

A nice place to come and relax and "get out" of the city when you feel like it. Its centrally located and there are enough trees around to block any bit of skyline you might encounter in DC. The trails are pretty nice and easy for walks and strolls. Bring your friends, pets, or whoever you want. Theres more than enough room. You can drive straight to Rock Creek Park as there is plenty of parking. The only thing you should be wary about are the road closures on the weekends and holidays.

Pyra-Danny V

Due to the timing of our approach, the little building was already closed which left us to merely wander the backyard area (free and easy to enter). If it gives you any idea, as soon as we stepped onto the path, we passed a young couple obviously taking engagement photos—this place is that sort of pretty. The space back there is also bigger than expected—more narrower—but definitely not a maze. It was just cool to see this much space dedicated to greenery amidst Gerogetown shops.

Wendy McClain

My 3rd Great Grandfather James R. Davis lived in this house from 1895 to 1938 along with some of my other relatives. The National Park Service remodeled and took it over in the 1950s. As the Park Service kept the building 85% original, it was really neat to see how my family would have lived in that time frame. Love the gardens that they put together. Its just a beautiful piece of Georgetowns history!! Its a MUST see, make sure to visit if you come to out fair city!

jay austin

An enormous park right in the middle of DC that many people take for granted. Its difficult to ever truly get out of earshot of hikers, bikers, joggers, drivers, ambulances, etc., but taking the trails into the woods does offer a nice escape nonetheless. Tons of deer and flora, and Beach Drive is particularly lovely when (a portion of) it gets shut down to car traffic on Saturday and Sunday.

Rémi Ferriere

Parc très calme dans le quartier de Georgetown. Cest agréable de sarrêter ici à lombre des arbres. Cest ici que se trouve la pré mercière maison de Washington, qui a résisté à lincendie.

Robin Pike

Great place to walk or run to escape the city. Limited parking and bathrooms at some of the parking locations, so be sure to check the NPS map for facilities. The Nature Center has really nice restrooms and plenty of parking, with overflow parking a little way down the hill. Be sure to use an NPS map as Google Maps is spotty in parts of the park and trail names arent always marked.

Paige Mason

This is a pretty enjoyable (and free!) way to spend 20 minutes in Georgetown. Came here with the family (they LOVE Colonial American history) and they really loved being able to walk through the house. The staff were particularly friendly, and my mother in law really enjoyed talking to them about the history of the house. The gardens are pretty nice too!

Angélica Garcia

An oasis in urbania. There are great hidden gems amongst the acres and acres of Rock Creek, perfect for exploring. If youre a riding aficionado, head to the stables off of Military. In the damp spring and fall months, if youre lucky, you can find morels hidden in the lower basins near Oregon Avenue. There isnt a shortage of adventure here.

HumanitiesDC

The Old Stone House in Georgetown is the oldest unchanged building in Washington D.C.. The house has been made into a museum which offers plenty of interesting facts about the house and the time in which it was made. The backyard area is a nice serene garden open to the public. (Beware there are rumors that this house is haunted).