Explore This Park

• Plan Your Visit
  • Basic Information

Basic Information

Welcome to Rock Creek Park!
You may not realize it, but we encompass some of D.C.'s most popular parks, like Meridian Hill Park and Dumbarton Oaks Park. It's certainly a lot to take in. We hope this basic information about hours, rules, and services will help you get started!

 

Practical Information

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  Operational Hours

  Rock Creek Park is open during daylight hours, but if you plan to visit facilities like the Nature Center or Peirce Mill, check here first.

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  Current Conditions and Alerts

  Check here for alerts, road closures, and trail closures. It's always good to check here before making a trip through the park.

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  Hint: It's free.

  Fees and Passes

  All of Rock Creek Park is free to enter! Seriously, it's free. Even the planetarium shows, Old Stone House, and Peirce Mill!

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  Reservations and Permits

  What do picnicker, weddings, film crews, tennis players, and scientists have in common? They all need permits or reservations.

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  Goods and Services

  Learn more about the things that aren't free, like the items in our bookstores, golf, and horseback riding.

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  Pets in the Park

  Want to bring your pet in the park? Follow these rules to make sure you and your pet have a good time!

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  Rules and Regulations

  The rules and regulations you need to know to stay safe in Rock Creek Park.

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  Find Your Way!

  Directions

  Now that you know the basics, learn how to get to where you want to go!

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  Frequently Asked Questions

  Here is a list of some of our most frequently asked questions.

 

Plan Your Visit!

 

Physical Address

Directions

Operating Hours & Seasons

Weather

Weather in D.C. is often erratic Spring: Pleasant, Avg. High: 67° Avg. Low: 44.3°, Avg. Precipitation: 12.1” Summer: Hot & Humid, Avg. High: 87°, Avg. Low: 66°, Avg. Precipitation: 12.7”, July is the hottest month Fall: Pleasant, Avg. High: 69°, Avg. Low: 48.3°, Avg. Precipitation: 11.6” Winter: Mild, Avg. High: 45°, Avg. Low: 27.3°, Avg. Precipitation: 9.3”, Avg. Snowfall: 15.4” January is coolest month Hurricanes may impact D.C. in late summer and fall Light droughts are not uncommon in summer

Fees & Passes

Entrance Fees:

Rock Creek Park Fees - $0.00

Rock Creek Park Does not have any entrance fees.

Entrance Passes:

Rock Creek Park Entrance Passes - $0.00

Rock Creek Park Does not have any entrance passes

Visitor Centers

Nature Center

The Nature Center is home to our Planetarium and nature exhibit area which features displays of plants and animals that can be found in the park. Most of Rock Creek park's public and educational programs begin at the Nature Center

Old Stone House

Built circa 1765 the Old Stone House is the oldest standing structure in Washington, D.C.

Peirce Mill

Peirce Mill, built in the 1820s, is the last operational grist mill on Rock Creek Park