Rock Creek Park in Washington DC

Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC, is an expansive urban park with outdoor activities like golf, tennis, hiking, horseback riding, and more. The park is also home to numerous historic bridges and landmarks that draw visitors.

The park offers something for everyone, from outdoor sports for all ages to a planetarium and amphitheatre for shows. Each year, nearly 2 million people visit the park to take advantage of its amenities and events. Depending on what you want to do, you may want to spend the whole day at the park to enjoy outdoor activities and see all the statues and memorials.

Rock Creek Park in Washington DC - one of the highlights of 10 Best Things to Do in Washington DC and 10 Best Free Things to Do in Washington DC (Read all about Washington here)

What are the highlights of Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC?

Rock Creek Park has a lot of athletic facilities, including a golf course, a tennis stadium, equestrian trails, and the Rock Creek Park Horse Centre, a world-class equestrian facility. Children can enjoy summer camps at the horse centre, and the facility hosts programmes like Rock Creek Riders, a therapeutic riding programme.

Several of the bridges in the park are historic, including Dumbarton, Taft, Lauzun’s Legion, and Duke Ellington bridges. These connect to the vast network of multiuse trails for hiking, jogging, and biking. Another highlight is the Pierce Mill, a water-powered grist mill that’s one of the few remaining in the United States.

What else is good to know about Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC?

Rock Creek Park is a massive parkland that connects to other parks and trails. At times, inclement weather or extenuating circumstances may force the closure of different areas of the park. Be sure to check the latest alerts on the day of your visit to be sure you can enjoy the activities you planned.

You may need permits for park use for certain activities, such as picnicking and public gatherings. You may also need to reserve the sports fields online on busy days, though the park does accept walk-in permit applications and general questions.