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Directions? Park Hours? Road Closures? Natural Resources? Park Safety? Information on the park and public & school programs? Rules and Regulations? And the most frequently asked question on the web site: For other questions e-mail e-mail us
2. How do I get to Peirce Mill? See https://www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/Peirce-Barn-Directions.htm
3. How do I get to the Old Stone House? The Old Stone House at 3051 M Street, NW in Georgetown, directly across from the Barnes and Noble bookstore. 4. Can you please give me directions from public transportation? The Van Ness Station is the closest metro stop to Peirce Mill, but it is still about a mile away. From Van Ness, walk south on Connecticut Avenue to Tilden Street and make a left. Follow Tilden to the bottom of the hill and the mill is on your left. Foggy Bottom is the closest metro stop to the Old Stone House, from there walk north to Washington Circle and take Pennsylvania Ave. west to the Old Stone House, about a 1/2 mile.
5. When is Rock Creek Park open? The park is open during daylight hours.
6. When are Beach Drive and other park roads closed? Sections of Beach Drive from Broad Branch Road to Military Road and from picnic grove 10 to Wise Road and from West Beach Drive to the DC line are closed on Saturdays, Sundays (7:00 AM Saturday-7:00 PM Sunday), and holidays for bikers, roller bladers, hikers and joggers (On the map they are marked in faint yellow). In addition, Bingham Drive and Sherill Drive are also closed weekends and federal holidays.
7. When is the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway one way? The Rock Creek Parkway is one way going south from the Connecticut Avenue, between 6:45- 9:30 AM and one way north from 3:45 - 6:30 PM, MONDAY-FRIDAY. All other times, the Parkway is open to both ways of traffic.
8. Why do I see park staff spraying chemicals and cutting plants in the park? You see our Natural Resources Management staff and park contractors spraying non-native invasive plants found in Rock Creek Park. These plants pose a serious threat to the park's environment and must be managed to protect the native plants and animals found in the park. In 2012, the park published a new brochure, "Invasive, Non-native Plant Species," that is available to the public. The brochure provides information about the threats posed by non-native invasive plants, and ways that park visitors and neighbors can help address the problem. For a copy of the brochure or for additional information, call 202-895-6077.
9. Can I pick plants, berries, mushrooms, take animals home or remove historical items I find in the park? No, no one may take anything out of the park, unless he or she is a professor or a professional (USGS, Smithsonian, etc.) with a permit (for plants or rocks) and he or she is using the specimen for an educational purpose. Visitors may be fined by Park Police if they are caught. If you see someone with a metal detector at places like Fort DeRussy or hunting for morels, please report these crimes to Park Police immediately! 10. How many deer, raccoons, foxes, coyote or bears are there in the park? Rock Creek Park has the largest density of raccoons in the United States. We have red and gray fox in the park, but less of the gray fox. Visitors often think that foxes look like large cats or small dogs. Park employees believe that there are six to eight fox dens scattered throughout the park. Coyote sightings have been reported since May 2004; they were confirmed by staff in September 2004. At least two animals have been seen in Rock Creek Park north of Military Road. See our coyote frequently asked questions page for more information. There are no bears in the park. Visitors walking along Rock Creek may see signs of beavers (beaver chews on the trees) or on a lucky day, they may even see one!
11. Is the park safe? Yes, the park is relatively safe. As with any outdoor recreation, your safety will be improved by enjoying your activity with others. If you do plan to go alone, consider leaving your itinerary - including route, times, activity, and clothing description - with someone, and check in with that person before and after your activity. 12. How do I schedule a program? For Peirce Barn and Mill call 202-895-6070 and talk to a ranger to schedule a program. For the Old Stone House call 202-895-6070 and talk to a ranger to schedule a program. 13. What's going on with the General Management Plan? Of the four alternatives presented in the GMP to improve visitor services, administrative functions and traffic management, the NPS has chosen “Alternative A.” This alternative upgrades trails, rehabilitates historic structures and improves the location and condition of visitor facilities. It also continues the weekend and holiday closures of sections of Beach Drive, and allows through traffic on weekdays, using methods to slow traffic and improve traffic safety throughout the park. Alternative A also continues the current weekday rush hour, one-directional flow of all lanes of traffic on the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway. More information may be found at the NPS Planning, Environment and Public project page at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?parkId=198&projectId=11262 The complete Rock Creek Park General Management plan can be viewed at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=198&projectId=11262&documentID=13218 Further Information will also be available in the and at the following locations: and the
14. How do I get on the mailing list for the calendar of events or newsletter? Call 202-895-6070 and ask to be added to the mailing list or e-mail e-mail us
15. How do I apply for a job? You can find ways to work with us on our website or yo can go to the Regional Office on Ohio Drive by the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial to look for vacancies.
16. Whom do I call for special use permits? Call our Special Park Use Permits Office at 202-895-6013. 17. How do I reserve a picnic grove? The following picnic groves require reservations for picnics between May 1 and November 30: 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13 and 24. 18. Where can I go horse riding? How much does it cost? Or you may bring your own horse. You may park your trailer at the Nature Center, but please stick to the designated bridle trails.
19. How big is the park? The main section of Rock Creek Park is 1754 acres. In addition to the other green areas the park administers, (Glover Archbold Park, Montrose Park, Dumbarton Oaks Park, Meridian Hill Park, Battery Kemble Park, Palisades Park, Whitehaven Park, etc.) it is over 2,000 acres.
20. When was this park created? The park was created and the land set aside in 1890. It is the oldest natural urban park in the NPS.
21. Do you have facilities for birthday parties? We have no indoor facilities for parties. You may reserve a picnic area at www.recreation.gov and parties can participate with public programs that we give.
22. What is the best hiking trail? They are all good, but my personal favorite is the Western Ridge trail north of Military Road (around the Pinehurst Branch Tributary). 23. Where can I have a wedding in Rock Creek Park? Special Use Permits are issued for small wedding ceremonies of 50 participants or fewer, and only at four different locations in the Park: Georgetown Waterfront Park, Old Stone House (garden area only), Montrose Park, and Meridian Hill. Receptions are not allowed in Rock Creek Park. Weddings must also meet the following criteria:
To hold a wedding in Rock Creek Park, you must first send a letter to the Superintendent requesting permission to hold a wedding in Rock Creek Park. Your letter should include the following information: location, number of participants, time, acknowledgement of the required $200 fee, and a note stating that you will leave the park site in good condition. Also, please include your phone number, a mailing address, an email address, and a check in the amount of $200.00 made out to the National Park Service. Cash and credit cards are not accepted. Please note that the $200 fee is non-refundable. The letter and check should be sent to: Rock Creek Park, Attn. Special Use Permits, 3545 Williamsburg Lane, NW, Washington DC 20008. The $200 fee covers the cost of processing the permit and a photographer's permit. Applications and payment must be received at least one month in advance of desired ceremony date.
If you have any questions, please call the Special Park Uses Ranger at 202-895-6013.
The rules and regulations that cover Rock Creek Park are listed in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 36, Parts 1 to 199 (36CFR) and the Superintendent's Compendium.
24. Is my dog allowed in the park? Yes. However, all dogs and other pets must be on a leash. Also, all visitors and their pets must stay on established park trails.
25. Can I camp here? We have no campground facilities in the park. You can camp nearby at Prince William Forest Park in VA, Greenbelt Park in MD; and the C&0 Canal NHP in MD. 26. Can I have a campfire in the park?
27. Can I fish in Rock Creek? District of Columbia fishing laws and/or regulations apply throughout the park. Commercial fishing is not allowed within the park. Fishing is not allowed on Rock Creek or its tributaries north of the Porter Street bridge on Rock Creek. 28. Can I kayak/canoe in Rock Creek Park? Vessels must meet the following size, length or width restrictions:
29. Can I hold a special event in Rock Creek Park?
Weddings are allowed by permit at Georgetown Waterfront Park, Meridian Hill Park, Montrose Park, and the gardens of Old Stone House. Fee charged, contact Special Park Use Office at 202.895.6013. Special events or First Amendment Rights demonstrations. Contact Special Park Use Office at 202.895.6013 with any questions. Groups larger than 10 horses and riders need a free permit from the Special Park Uses office, 202.895.6013.
30. Can I swim, wade, bathe in Rock Creek? All Rock Creek Park areas are closed to swimming, bathing and wading by people and pets.
31. What is the maximum number of people we can have in a picnic area? Picnic areas numbered 1, 6,7,8,9,10,13,23,and 24 require a reservation permit and are limited to no more than 75 people. Picnic areas 2,3,4,5,11,12,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22 operate as first-come, first-served, and limited to no more than 25 people. Large group picnics of 25 or more people are not allowed outside of numbered picnic areas unless the superintendent provides an exception in writing. Informal picnics of less than 25 people are allowed in all areas except for Dumbarton Oaks Park, Fort Stevens, and Battleground Cemetery, where no picnicking is allowed.
32. Can we have amplified music at our picnic? Amplified sound is not allowed in picnic areas.
33.Can we have a moon bounce at our picnic? Canopies, tents or shade structures anchored to the ground, awnings or portable pavilions are prohibited except where written permission is obtained from the Superintendent. This includes moon bounces. 34. Can I pan for gold in Rock Creek Park? A recent article in the local Washington, DC press documented the activities of several persons who were panning for gold in Rock Creek Park. It is critical that park visitors understand that any recreational or commercial activity that damages, harms or removes any natural, cultural or archeological resource is illegal. Violators are subject to fines and criminal prosecution by the United States Park Police. 35. Where can I park my boat? Non-commercial boats can dock at Washington Harbour anytime from 6am to midnight (first come-first served). Commercial vessels (i.e., fee-based services such as water taxis, tourboats, fishing charters, private tours, etc.) must obtain a Commercial Use Authorization from Rock Creek Park (docking for commercial boats is limited to 20 mins docking for loading/unloading passengers only). Washington Harbour is privately owned property, but NPS has a scenic easement at this location (which includes the dock).
36. For how long? There are no imposed limits by NPS for the non-commercial section of the dock (NPS suggests contacting the property owner for more information). The dock is closed from midnight to 6am.
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37. Who makes sure people move the boats along? There are no imposed limits by NPS for non-commercial boats (other than the midnight-6am closure). DC Harbor Patrol is the primary law enforcement agency for boats. However, DC Metro Police and US Park Police also have jurisdiction. Commercial vessels who have obtained a Commercial Use Authorization are allowed to the use the commercial section of the dock for 20 mins per docking (for purposes of loading/unloading passengers only).
38. Can I dock overnight here? Overnight docking is prohibited (the dock is closed from midnight to 6am).
39. If not here then where? There are no locations at Georgetown Waterfront for overnight docking. The nearest National Park Service location is Columbia Island Marina, transient fees apply.
And the most frequently asked question on the web site: 40. How can I get a hard copy of the map of Rock Creek Park? Visit one of our visitor centers and pick one up, or e-mail e-mail us with your address and we will mail you a copy free of charge. |
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Last updated: January 10, 2020