Rock Creek National Park

At Rock Creek Park you can relax and enjoy many activities. Some require permits or reservations, so please read the following information carefully to see what may be required for your activity.

Picnicking

Rock Creek Park has 29 picnic areas, some with rain shelters. Picnic areas numbered in blue dots may be reserved for groups up to 75. Picnic areas numbered in black dots are first-come, first-served areas limited to 12 people. Reservations must be made in person at the D.C. Department of Recreation; call 202-673-7646 for information.

Playgrounds

The large recreation field at 16^th and Kennedy streets, NW, has room for many activities. Some of the fields, which are suitable for soccer, football, volleyball, and field hockey, may be reserved; call the D.C. Department of Recreation, 202-673-7449.

Tennis

The 15 soft-surface and 10 hard-surface tennis courts at 16^th and Kennedy streets, NW, must be reserved in person through Guest Services, Inc. The courts are open April through mid-November. A fee is charged. For the rest of the year, the 10 hard-surface courts are available free on a first-come, first-served basis. Four soft-surface courts are off Park Road, just east of Peirce Mill. Make reservations for them through Washington Area Tennis and Education Foundation in person at the courts; open May through September (fee charged). The two courts at Montrose Park are free. When other are waiting, limit your play to one hour.

Trails

An extensive system of trails and paths covers Rock Creek Park and outlying areas like Glover-Archbold Park. For the hiker, trails maintained by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) consist of a blue-blazed trail that follows the east side of the creek, a green-blazed trail that follows the western ridge of the park, and tax-blazed connector trails. For physical fitness enthusiasts, a 1.5-mile exercise course begins near Calvert Street and Connecticut Avenue. For the horse rider, 13 miles of wide, dirt and gravel bridle trails crisscross the northern section of the park. An Equitation Field is near picnic area 25. Horseback riding lessons and guided trail rides are available at the Rock Creek Park Horse Center.

Biking

A signed bicycle route goes from the Lincoln Memorial through the park and into Maryland. Memorial Bridge connects it to the Mount Vernon Trail in Virginia. Beach Drive between Military and Broad Branch roads is closed to automotive vehicles from 7 a.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Sunday, and on holidays. Bicycles may be ridden only on paved roads and trails. They are not allowed on unpaved foot or horse trails.