Trail Information
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Rock Creek Park has dozens of named trails. Some allow bikes, some allow horses, and all are for hikers. Click on a trail name below to read a trail description.
Map tip: Curious to see where any of these trails take you? Search for "trails" in the interactive map of Rock Creek Park and select a trail to view its highlighted route. Or, search for a trail by name.
Thank you for keeping your pets, children, and yourself on designated trails! This helps protect the natural communities.
E = Easy, M = Moderate, D = Difficult; [B] = Bike trail, [H] = Horse Trail
Trail Descriptions
Battery Kemble Trail: This trail runs the length of Battery Kemble Park through mostly moderate terrain, following the creek, Battery Kemble Run, south of the parking lot. A long connector trail runs parallel to it farther upslope, completing a loop. Battery Kemble was part of the Civil War defenses of Washington D.C.
- Miles (km): 0.95 (1.52)
- Painted trail blaze: Yellow
- Difficulty: E/M
- For: hikers
Bike Trail North: This paved bike trail in the north of the park parallels Oregon Ave. down to the Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium. It also makes a loop, paralleling parts of Bingham Dr., Beach Dr., and Military Rd. For greater ease connecting from this trail to the park's Bike Trail South, portions of Beach Dr. are closed to motor vehicles on weekends and holidays. From its north end, Bike Trail North connects to miles of biking trail in Maryland's Rock Creek Regional Park.
- Miles (km): 3.33 (5.36)
- Painted trail blaze: None
- Difficulty: E/M
- For: hikers, bikers
- Caution: Street crossings at Bingham Dr. and Military Rd.
Bike Trail South: This paved bike trail parallels Rock Creek nearly all the way to its mouth at the Potomac River, from north of Peirce Mill. Parking lots at Broad Branch Rd. and at the Thompson Boat Center/Bike Rental on Virginia Ave. NW mark each end. South of the National Zoo, Bike Trail South closely follows the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway, passing under the Duke Ellington, Taft, and Dumbarton bridges. From the south end, users can access the Mt. Vernon Trail and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath. For greater ease connecting from Bike Trail South to the park’s Bike Trail North, portions of Beach Dr. are closed to motor vehicles on weekends and holidays.
- Miles (km): 4.46 (7.18)
- Painted trail blaze: None
- Difficulty: E/M
- For: hikers, bikers, people in wheelchairs (but only between Broad Branch Rd. and Peirce Mill—see below)
- Caution: Street crossings. Zoo portion of this trail closed at night.
Bike Trail South – Wheelchair Accessible Portion: This accessible portion of the paved Bike Trail South runs south to Peirce Mill from a parking lot off Broad Branch Rd. near Beach Dr. It parallels Western Ridge Trail and Rock Creek.
- Miles (km): 0.58 (0.93)
- Painted trail blaze: None
- Difficulty: E
- For: hikers, bikers, visitors in wheelchairs, but caution: bikes share this paved trail.
Black Horse Trail: For much of its length, this equestrian trail runs beside Rock Creek, crossing the creek at Riley Spring Bridge, Rolling Meadow Bridge, and Milkhouse Ford. It overlaps Valley Trail in many places. Black Horse Trail connects to White Horse Trail at its north and south ends, under Military Rd., and by any of nine equestrian Cross Trails.
- Miles (km): 4.66 (7.50)
- Painted trail blaze: None, except where trail overlaps blue-blazed Valley Trail.
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers, horses
- Caution: Street crossings. Creek crossing at Milkhouse Ford is by wading; impassable during high water. (Hikers use Beach Dr. bridge just upstream of the Ford.)
Boulder Bridge: This is a narrow, two-lane bridge over Rock Creek on Beach Dr. It is closed to motor vehicles on weekends and federal holidays for the benefit of pedestrians and bikers. It gives hikers access between Valley Trail and equestrian trails near Cross Trail 9.
- Miles (km): 0.03 (0.05)
- Painted trail blaze: None
- Difficulty: E/D
- For: hikers, bikers
- Caution: Dangerous/difficult crossing with vehicle traffic on weekdays! (Use alternate crossings on Rapids Bridge to north, or Beach Dr. bridge near Blagden Ave. to south.)
Boundary Trail: This fairly steep trail follows the Maryland/D.C. boundary in the far north of Rock Creek Park. Its hilly route leads to the Valley Trail from Primrose Rd. (D.C.)/Grubb Rd. (MD).
- Miles (km): 0.32 (0.51)
- Painted trail blaze: Yellow
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers
"Claggett Farm Trail": This officially unnamed ridgetop trail passes near the foundation of an old homestead and a few Table Mountain pine trees. Connects to the Western Ridge Trail from Picnic Area 9.
- Miles (km): 0.38 (0.62)
- Painted trail blaze: None
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers
Connector Trails: These are short to fairly short, unnamed side trails that connect to one or more of the named trails. Some start on city streets, some at picnic areas, some on named trails. They each allow specific uses - some are wheelchair acessible, but most are not. Some allow horses or bikes and some do not.
Cross Trail 1: This short equestrian trail segment connects the Black Horse Trail to the White Horse Trail near the north end of Rock Creek Park, avoiding the trailhead parking lot at Boundary Bridge.
- Miles (km): 0.05 (0.08)
- Painted trail blaze: None
- Difficulty: E/M
- For: hikers, horses
- Caution: Street crossing at Beach Dr.
Cross Trail 2: This equestrian trail follows a ravine from the Western Ridge Trail/White Horse Trail to the Riley Spring Bridge and Black Horse Trail north of Picnic Area 10. It passes through Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest.
- Miles (km): 0.25 (0.40)
- Painted trail blaze: None
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers, horses
Cross Trail 3: This equestrian trail north of Bingham Dr. follows a ridgetop from the Western Ridge Trail/White Horse Trail to where it descends to the Black Horse Trail at Pinehurst Branch, north of Rolling Meadow Bridge. The trail borders a Mixed Oak/Heath Forest at its west end, and crosses a Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest as it descends to the east.
- Miles (km): 0.37 (0.60)
- Painted trail blaze: None
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers, horses
Cross Trail 4: This hilly equestrian trail connects Cross Trail 3 with the Western Ridge Trail/White Horse Trail at a point south of Bingham Dr. near the Park Police Stables and a community garden. The trail passes through beautiful Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest and rich Successional Tuliptree Forest.
- Miles (km): 0.68 (1.09)
- Painted trail blaze: None
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers, horses
- Caution: Street crossing at Bingham Dr.
Cross Trail 5: This equestrian trail follows a ravine below Fort DeRussy from the Western Ridge Trail/White Horse Trail to the Black Horse Trail at Rock Creek's historic Milkhouse Ford. (Hikers can continue across Rock Creek on dry land just upstream of the Ford.) The trail follows a corridor of Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest between other natural and semi-natural communities.
- Miles (km): 0.22 (0.36)
- Painted trail blaze: None
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers, horses
Cross Trail 6: This equestrian trail, well south of Military Rd., connects White Horse Trail and the hilltop Rock Creek Park Horse Center with the Black Horse Trail near Rapids Bridge. The trail passes through mostly Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest. In spring, look for wildflowers in a patch of Basic Mesic Hardwood Forest at a switchback in the trail upslope (west) of where it passes under Ross Dr. bridge.
- Miles (km): 0.43 (0.69)
- Painted trail blaze: None
- Difficulty: M/D
- For: hikers, horses
- Caution: One especially steep section downslope (east) of where Cross Trail 7 meets this trail.
Cross Trail 7: This hilly equestrian trail connects the White Horse Trail with Cross Trail 6 near Rock Creek, crossing under the picturesque Ross Dr. bridge. The trail passes through Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest.
- Miles (km): 0.33 (0.54)
- Painted trail blaze: None
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers, horses
- Caution: Street crossing at Glover Rd. at Picnic Area 17.
Cross Trail 8: This short but fairly steep equestrian trail connects the White Horse Trail/Western Ridge Trail with the Black Horse Trail. The trail passes through a rich Successional Tuliptree Forest.
- Miles (km): 0.20 (0.32)
- Painted trail blaze: None
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers, horses
- Caution: Street crossing at Glover Rd. at the Equitation Field, northwest of Picnic Area 25.
Cross Trail 9: This equestrian trail connects the White Horse Trail/Western Ridge Trail with the Black Horse Trail. From the east (downslope) end of Cross Trail 9, hikers can continue on an unnamed pedestrian trail to Boulder Bridge (use extreme caution crossing on weekdays!) and Valley Trail.
- Miles (km): 0.35 (0.57)
- Painted trail blaze: None
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers, horses
- Caution: Street crossing at Glover Rd. south of the Equitation Field and Picnic Area 26.
Dumbarton Oaks Trail: This winding trail traverses Dumbarton Oaks Park. (Along with the adjacent Harvard-owned Dumbarton Oaks Gardens, this park was part of the historic Dumbarton Oaks Estate.) From this trail, hike to Glover Archbold Park via Whitehaven Trail, and to Rock Creek via Normanstone Trail or Parkway Trail. Access Montrose Park or Massachusetts Ave. via Lovers Lane Trail.
- Miles (km): 0.43 (0.68)
- Painted trail blaze: Yellow
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers
Edge of the Woods Trail: This short, hilly trail begins at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium. It wanders through a dry Mixed Oak / Heath Forest on the hilltop, and a Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest lower on the hillside where it connects with the Western Ridge Trail. Follow the Western Ridge Trail south a short distance to loop back to the Nature Center.
- Miles (km): 0.18 (0.29)
- Painted trail blaze: None
- Difficulty: E/M
- For: hikers, visitors in wheelchairs, but note: Wheelchair accessible only where Nature Trail overlaps this trail.
Fort DeRussy Trail: This trail traverses the hill on which Fort DeRussy was built in 1861, one of a ring of Civil War defenses that protected Washington, D.C. (There is a sign on the hilltop.) The forest at the top of the hill has a lot of non-native plants and weedy tree regrowth, but the hillside descending to Rock Creek has grown back as a Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest.
- Miles (km): 0.47 (0.75)
- Painted trail blaze: None
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers, horses (but only where White Horse Trail overlaps this trail)
Glover Archbold Trail: This trail runs through Glover Archbold Park, stretching all the way to the Potomac River and the C&O Canal from Van Ness St. near Wisconsin Ave. Expect a few flights of stairs and road crossings on this otherwise fairly easy, yellow-blazed trail. Numerous access points from 42nd St. and 44th St. Also from this trail, hike to Rock Creek via Whitehaven Trail and Dumbarton Oaks Trail. Hike to Battery Kemble Park via Wesley Heights Trail.
- Miles (km): 3.01 (4.84)
- Painted trail blaze: Yellow
- Difficulty: E/M
- For: hikers
- Caution: Street crossings at Massachusetts Ave., New Mexico Ave., and Reservoir Rd.
Holly Trail: This gently sloping trail traverses a richly wooded, serene hillside. From Pine Trail (close to its trailhead near 16th St. and Holly St.), Holly Trail meanders south and connects to Valley Trail near Sherrill Dr.
- Miles (km): 0.54 (0.87)
- Painted trail blaze: Yellow
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers
Klingle Mansion Old Road Trace: This wide, shaded dirt road follows an old carriage route that circles part way around historic Klingle Mansion (currently Rock Creek Park headquarters). Some of the non-native trees lining the road and scattered downslope are likely offspring of trees grown by the early 1800’s estate owners—nurserymen who provided for the beautification of the nation's young capitol. Hilly connector trails link to other major trails in the park.
- Miles (km): 0.33 (0.53)
- Painted trail blaze: None
- Difficulty: E/M
- For: hikers
- Note: Bikes and cars allowed only on the paved drive/parking lot at the west end (see below).
Klingle Mansion Old Road Trace – Paved Portion: This is a paved drive and parking lot outside the historic Klingle Mansion, currently Rock Creek Park headquarters. It is part of the historic carriage route that encircled the hilltop.
- Miles (km): 0.08 (0.13)
- Painted trail blaze: None
- Difficulty: E
- For: hikers, bikers, cars
- Note: Cars and bikes allowed.
Lovers Lane Trail: This partially paved trail runs from R St. (near 31st St.) to Massachusetts Ave., just east of Dumbarton Oaks Park and Harvard-owned Dumbarton Oaks Gardens. It is the formal entrance to Dumbarton Oaks Park, and links Montrose Park to Dumbarton Oaks Trail and Parkway Trail, passing through Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest near the junction with those trails. Elsewhere on Lovers Lane Trail, one is more likely to see not-so-natural plant groupings: planted vegetation, or else weedy regrowth of a mix of native and non-native invasive plants in formerly sunny clearings.
- Miles (km): 0.42 (0.67)
- Painted trail blaze: None
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers
Meadowlink Trail: This short, somewhat steep hillside trail begins and ends near the Valley Trail's south end. It passes through an old planted forest on the hillside, and through dry Oak - Beech / Heath and Mixed Oak / Heath Forests near the hilltop. The sunny managed meadow that this trail loops around is best viewed from the Valley Trail.
- Miles (km): 0.22 (0.35)
- Painted trail blaze: Yellow
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers
Melvin Hazen Trail: This shady ravine trail follows Melvin Hazen Branch, a creek that feeds into Rock Creek just south of Picnic Area 1 and Peirce Mill. In spring, steep hillsides above the trail are beautiful with wildflowers of the Basic Mesic Hardwood Forest. From the east, the trail climbs steeply to Connecticut Ave., passing large, old chestnut oaks.
- Miles (km): 0.82 (1.33)
- Painted trail blaze: Yellow
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers
- Caution: Street crossing at Connecticut Ave. Go north to use traffic light and return south to pick up trail again; on west side of Connecticut Ave., follow service road behind brick apartments to trail.
Nature Trail: This nature trail beside the Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium is paved for easy wheelchair or stroller access; the edge of the path is roped for visitors with visual impairments. This loop trail connects to the Woodlands Trail (which is not wheelchair accessible).
- Miles (km): 0.15 (0.24)
- Painted trail blaze: None
- Difficulty: E
- For: hikers, visitors in wheelchairs
- Note: Accessible for visitors in wheelchairs and/or with visual impairments.
Normanstone Trail: This route passes some beautiful Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest and Basic Mesic Hardwood Forest off Normanstone Dr. Following roads for much of its length, Normanstone Trail makes a loop with Dumbarton Oaks Trail and Parkway Trail. There are some moderately steep slopes.
- Miles (km): 0.87 (1.40)
- Painted trail blaze: Yellow
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers
- Caution: Street crossings.
Parkway Trail: Parkway Trail is a spur trail off Bike Trail South at Shoreham Hill Bridge, south of Connecticut Ave. It follows Rock Creek downstream along the west bank, paralleling Bike Trail South, which follows the east bank. Parkway Trail connects to Normanstone Trail, Dumbarton Oaks Trail, and Lovers Lane Trail. It passes a jungle of non-native invasive plants under Massachusetts Ave./Charles C. Glover Bridge at the site of a historic quarry.
- Miles (km): 0.59 (0.95)
- Painted trail blaze: Yellow
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers
Pine Trail: This sloping ridge trail has a few stairsteps. It leads through a rich Successional Tuliptree Forest, connecting Valley Trail north of Riley Spring Bridge with 16th St. near Holly St., north of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
- Miles (km): 0.26 (0.43)
- Painted trail blaze: Yellow
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers
Pinehurst Trail: This streamside trail follows the Pinehurst Branch ravine from Western Ave. to Rock Creek, intersecting several trails. West of Oregon Ave., it runs between residential streets. The volume of stormwater runoff Pinehurst Branch receives is evident by its deeply cut creek bed. Though the trail running along the floodplain terrace is much higher than the creek bed in many places, it can still flood.
- Miles (km): 1.29 (2.08)
- Painted trail blaze: Yellow
- Difficulty: M/D
- For: hikers (Horses allowed only where Black Horse Trail overlaps this trail near Rock Creek.)
- Caution: Difficult creek crossings west of Oregon Ave.; avoid in high water. Street crossing at Oregon Ave.
Piney Branch Trail: This trail runs parallel to Piney Branch Parkway, hugging the hillside to its south. Connecting Park Rd. and 17th St., it climbs some slopes on the east end. Downslope of the trail is a fairly natural stand of Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest. The steep hillside above the trail borders an urban neighborhood; many non-native and weedy plants have gained a foothold in those woods.
- Miles (km): 0.35 (0.56)
- Painted trail blaze: None
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers
Soapstone Valley Trail: This streamside trail follows the Soapstone Branch ravine from near Connecticut Ave. to Broad Branch, a stream that feeds into Rock Creek. The trail’s east end can be accessed from Broad Branch Rd. near Glover Rd. The west end of the trail can be accessed from Albemarle St., or Windom Pl. The trail is steep in places.
- Miles (km): 0.61 (0.97)
- Painted trail blaze: Yellow
- Difficulty: M/D
- For: hikers
- Caution: Multiple creek crossings, some difficult. Avoid trail in high water; east end floods.
Street Route – Glover Archbold to Montrose Park: This is a route by which hikers or bikers can follow city streets from Glover Archbold Park to Montrose Park/Lovers Lane Trail (both administered by Rock Creek Park).
- Miles (km): 2.12 (3.41)
- Painted trail blaze: None
- Difficulty: E
- For: hikers, bikers, cars
- Caution: Street crossings.
Street Route - Glover Archbold to Melvin Hazen: This is a route by which hikers or bikers can follow city streets from Glover Archbold Park to Melvin Hazen Park/Melvin Hazen Trail (both administered by Rock Creek Park).
- Miles (km): 1.60 (2.58)
- Painted trail blaze: None
- Difficulty: E
- For: hikers, bikers, cars
- Caution: Street crossings.
Theodore Roosevelt Trail: This trail, named for one of its ardent admirers, hugs the side of a steep slope above Rock Creek that hosts a nice Oak - Beech / Heath Forest. Pick up the trail at its south end near Picnic Area 2 across Beach Dr. (use care crossing the road), or at its midpoint at Blagden Ave. The north end of this trail meets Valley Trail at Pulpit Rock.
- Miles (km): 0.41 (0.66)
- Painted trail blaze: Yellow
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers
- Caution: Trail crosses Blagden Ave.
Valley Trail: The Valley Trail follows the east side of Rock Creek from Boundary Bridge south to Bluff Bridge below Klingle Mansion. It travels along the floodplain or high on the sides of the Rock Creek Valley, with some fairly steep slopes. There are many points of access via side trails, picnic areas, foot bridges, and roads. The trail passes through examples of most of the natural communities found in the park, crosses a boardwalk south of Riley Spring Bridge, and summits Pulpit Rock.
- Miles (km): 5.50 (8.85)
- Painted trail blaze: Blue
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers (Bikes or horses allowed only where designated trails overlap this trail.)
- Caution: Street crossings at Joyce Rd., Blagden Ave., Park Rd., and Beach Dr.
Wesley Heights Trail: This wooded trail connects Battery Kemble Park with Glover Archbold Park. There are some steep slopes, creek crossings, road crossings, and a very long set of stairs on the west side of the Foxhall Rd crossing. The trail passes through mostly rich Successional Tuliptree Forest and Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest.
- Miles (km): 0.73 (1.17)
- Painted trail blaze: Yellow
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers
- Caution: Street crossings at 49th St., Foxhall Rd., and 44th St.
Western Ridge Trail: The Western Ridge Trail runs from Boundary Bridge south to Bluff Bridge below Klingle Mansion, meeting Valley Trail at either end. This generally moderate trail passes through mostly oaky natural communities. It also passes the Rock Creek Nature Center and Planetarium, and Peirce Mill. It follows the western ridge of the park for much of its length, with multiple access points via roads, picnic areas, and side trails. At its south end, the trail splits into two trails—Lower (strenuous) and Upper (moderate)—that hug steep bluffs below Klingle Mansion.
- Miles (km): 4.80 (7.72)
- Painted trail blaze: Green
- Difficulty: M/D
- For: hikers (Bikes or horses allowed only where designated trails overlap this trail.)
- Caution: Difficult on Lower Western Ridge Trail section! (Use Upper Western Ridge Trail instead.) Street crossings.
Western Ridge Trail - Lower Portion: For the sure-footed! The more difficult of two parallel routes at the far south end of Western Ridge Trail, this trail is narrow, steep, and requires some climbing. Tracing a path midway down the bluffs below Klingle Mansion, it passes through Oak - Beech / Heath Forest peppered with hemlock and other non-native trees—evidence of horticultural work by historic estate owners. Access from Western Ridge Trail at Melvin Hazen Trail, or from Valley Trail and Bike Trail South at Bluff Bridge.
- Miles (km): 0.28 (0.46)
- Painted trail blaze: Green
- Difficulty: D
- For: hikers
- Caution: Difficult! (Use Upper Western Ridge Trail instead.)
Western Ridge Trail - Upper Portion: The easier of two parallel routes at the far south end of Western Ridge Trail, this trail traces a path high on the bluffs near Klingle Mansion. Access from Western Ridge Trail at Melvin Hazen Trail; from Valley Trail and Bike Trail South at Bluff Bridge; or from the parking lot at Klingle Mansion.
- Miles (km): 0.32 (0.52)
- Painted trail blaze: Green
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers
White Horse Trail: This equestrian trail overlaps Western Ridge Trail along its northern stretch and again near the Equitation Field. Elsewhere it overlaps Fort DeRussy Trail, or branches off on a ridgetop route of its own near the Rock Creek Park Horse Center. The White Horse Trail connects to the Black Horse Trail at its north and south ends, and under Military Rd., and by any of nine equestrian Cross Trails.
- Miles (km): 4.47 (7.20)
- Painted trail blaze: None, except where trail overlaps green-blazed Western Ridge Trail.
- Difficulty: E/M
- For: hikers, horses (Bikes allowed only on the short paved segment at the south end.)
- Caution: Street crossings at Beach Dr., Wise Rd., Bingham Dr., ramps to Military Rd., and Glover Rd.
Whitehaven Trail: This mostly forested trail connects Glover Archbold Park with Dumbarton Oaks Park and Normanstone Trail, passing a community garden and grassy parks, and following Whitehaven St. at its east end. Expect slopes, street crossings, and stairs. It traverses an interesting forest of mostly cherry and maple trees (not considered a natural community), bordering Holy Rood Cemetery between 37th and 35th Streets. In the west, near Glover Archbold Park, the trail features Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest.
- Miles (km): 0.95 (1.53)
- Painted trail blaze: Yellow
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers
- Caution: Street crossings at 37th St., 35th St., Wisconsin Ave., and Whitehaven St.
Whittier Trail: This ravine trail connects to Valley Trail from 16th St. south of Sherrill Dr. It passes through an assortment of natural communities, including a groundwater-influenced Basic Mesic Hardwood Forest.
- Miles (km): 0.22 (0.35)
- Painted trail blaze: Yellow
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers
Woodlands Trail: This hilly loop trail explores the hillside behind the Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium. Take a self-guided nature walk using the brochure available inside the Nature Center.
- Miles (km): 0.34 (0.55)
- Painted trail blaze: None
- Difficulty: M
- For: hikers