Rock Creek Park is a green oasis in the District of Columbia. It is an amazing, wild woodland--a treasure in the midst of a major city. It is also a national park, like Yellowstone or Yosemite, and it is one of the world’s premier urban forests. The park includes the main body of Rock Creek Park, as well as several smaller units along Rock Creek tributaries. These include Broad Branch, Dumbarton Oaks, Fenwick and Portal Branch, Klingle Valley, Melvin C. Hazen, Montrose, Normanstone, Pinehurst Branch, Soapstone Valley, and Piney Branch.
Major Rock Creek Park Sites in Washington, DC
5200 Glover Road NW, Washington, DC; telephone 202-895-6070
This popular site in the park has exhibits, guided walks, lectures, live animal demonstrations and the "Discovery Room," a hands-on exhibit for children ages 2 to 5. The Rock Creek Planetarium offers 45-60 minute programs exploring the stars and planets, one of the few true planetaria in the National Park System.
16th & Colorado Street NW, Washington, DC
A large amphitheater (seats 4,200) for performing arts. Offers many free programs every summer. The Carter Barron Box Office is open noon to 8:00 p.m. on the day of concerts. Tickets are required for free performances and are distributed on the day of the show. Tickets are also available at the Washington Post at 1150 15th Street, NW beginning at 8:30 a.m. on weekdays.
This building is on the National Register of Historic Places and is the last of many mills that served local farmers from the 18th to early 20th centuries. It is not currently an operating mill, but is used as a meeting place for ranger-led programs.
2900 Virginia Avenue NW, Washington, DC
Rents bicycles, kayaks, canoes, and small sailboats. Lessons are available.
5100 Glover Road NW, Washington, DC
Offers trail rides and lessons on horses (ages 12 and up) and ponies (kids over 30" tall). Advance reservations are required.
16th & Kennedy Streets NW, Washington, DC
Indoor and outdoor courts are available.
16th & Rittenhouse Street NW, Washington, DC
The 18-hole public golf course has a clubhouse and snack bar.
3001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
The National Zoological Park is operated by the Smithsonian Institution, but is situated in Rock Creek Park. The zoo features giant pandas, lions, giraffes, tigers, monkeys, sea lions, and much more.
For more information, visit the National Park Service Rock Creek Park website.
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