Rock Creek Park Trail offers a unique cycling experience — a shaded, forest ride through a national park in the heart of Washington, DC. The trail follows Rock Creek from Georgetown north through Rock Creek Park, offering a nature-filled escape from the city. Here's your complete guide.
Trail Overview
The paved trail runs approximately 5.6 miles from Georgetown to Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park. The trail follows the creek through dense forest, passing the National Zoo, Pierce Mill, and the Carter Barron Amphitheatre. The trail has some rolling hills and a few short climbs.
Weekend Car-Free Riding
One of the best features of Rock Creek Park is that portions of Beach Drive are closed to cars on weekends. This creates a cyclist's paradise — miles of paved road through the forest with no traffic. Check the National Park Service website for current closure information.
Key Stops
The National Zoo is a popular stop along the trail. Pierce Mill is a historic grist mill worth a quick visit. For a longer ride, continue on Beach Drive to the Carter Barron Amphitheatre and beyond.
Trail Connections
The trail connects to the C&O Canal Towpath and Capital Crescent Trail in Georgetown, making it easy to combine trails for a longer ride. At the northern end, you can connect to the Matthew Henson Trail and other Montgomery County trails.
Comments (0)
Log in to join the discussion
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!