• Rock Creek

    Rock Creek

    Park District of Columbia

There are park alerts in effect.
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  • Rock Creek Parkway Closed, Sunday September 16 5:50 am through 11:00 am

    Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway will be closed for the Navy/Air Force Half Marathon and Five Miler on September 16, 2012 from 5:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

  • Road Closures and Construction

    The contractor will continue punch list work on the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway. There may be temporary lane closures during non-rush hours for miscellaneous punch list work. More »

For Kids

Junior Ranger Book

Our Junior Ranger activity book is now available online. Click here to download (pdf format).

 

Sign up for 2012 Summer Junior Ranger Camps

Enrollment Begins MAY 2
All Camps are Free!!!
Ages 7-8: July 11-12
Ages 9-10: July 18-19
Ages 11-12: July 25-26

For more information or to enroll, contact the Rock Creek Park Nature Center at (202) 895-6070.

Experience the sights and sounds of Rock Creek Park with a ranger: Discover the park's biggest trees on a nature hike; view the night sky during day light hours in the only planetarium in the National Park System; discover a Civil War fortress; meet the Nature Center's live animals; visit a historic gristmill; play games and hands-on activities; and more. At the end of camp, parents and guardians are encouraged to come and watch your child be sworn in as an official Rock Creek Park Junior Ranger. Children will need to bring a backpack, water or sports drink, snacks and a bag lunch, and hiking boots or tennis shoes (no sandals or flip flops). Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses are highly recommended.

 
Explore the exhibits inside the Nature Center. The "Discovery Room" is geared for ages 2 to 5. The bilingual exhibit "Discover/ Descubra Rock Creek Park" is geared for those 10 and up.

Inside Peirce Barn, kids can try on old- fashioned clothing and play with 19th century toys.

Enjoy a wide variety of children's programs, including planetarium shows, animal talks, exploratory hikes, crafts, as well as hands-on natural and historical programs.

Be A Junior Ranger

 

The KidsZone
Following the KidsZone link will take you to links, for WebRangers, in-park Junior Ranger programs, and Park Fun and Activities. You will also find feature stories about working dogs of the National Park Service and stories written by children whose parents work in parks. The KidsZone provides a child-friendly Web presence for future generations of park stewards.

  • Exploring the Sky Exploring the Sky

    Join the National Capital Astronomers and the NPS for stargazing Read More

  • Ranger led programs Ranger led programs

    Rock Creek Park conducts ranger led programs. Check our calendar of events for dates and times. Read More

Did You Know?

Andromeda Galaxy

The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) at about 2.5 million light years from the earth is the farthest object visible to the naked eye. You can learn more amazing astronomy facts at the only planetarium in the NPS in Rock Creek Park. More...