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Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway Road Closures and Construction update Fall 2012
Beginning October 15, 2012 construction work on Rock Creek Parkway at Waterside Drive will resume. Delays are expected as lane closures occur to accomodate work. Planned completion for all work is December 2012. More »
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October 16, 17, 18 Beach Drive Closure from Rock Creek & Potomac Parkway to Porter Street
Beach Drive will be closed from Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway at Beach Drive to Porter Street, NW from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 pm daily October 16, 17 and 18. Rock Creek Park maintenance workers will be performing tree work, repairs and tunnel cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Directions? Park Hours? Road Closures? Natural Resources? Park Safety? Information on the park and public & school programs? Rules and Regulations? And the most frequently asked question on the web site: For other questions e-mail e-mail us
2. How do I get to Peirce Mill?
See http://www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/Peirce-Barn-Directions.htm
3. How do I get to the Old Stone House?
The Old Stone House at 3051 M Street, NW in Georgetown, directly across from the Barnes and Noble bookstore. 4. Can you please give me directions from public transportation? The Van Ness Station is the closest metro stop to Peirce Mill, but it is still about a mile away. From Van Ness, walk south on Connecticut Avenue to Tilden Street and make a left. Follow Tilden to the bottom of the hill and the mill is on your left. Foggy Bottom is the closest metro stop to the Old Stone House, from there walk north to Washington Circle and take Pennsylvania Ave. west to the Old Stone House, about a 1/2 mile.
5. When is the Park open?
The Park is open during daylight hours.
6. When are Beach Drive and other Park roads closed?
Sections of Beach Drive from Broad Branch Road to Military Road and from picnic grove 10 to Wise Road and from West Beach Drive to the DC line are closed on Saturdays, Sundays (7:00 AM Saturday-7:00 PM Sunday), and holidays for bikers, roller bladers, hikers and joggers (On the map they are marked in faint yellow). In addition, Bingham Drive and Sherill Drive are also closed weekends and federal holidays.
7. When is the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway one way?
The Rock Creek Parkway is one way going south from the Connecticut Avenue, between 6:45- 9:30 AM and one way north from 3:45 - 6:30 PM, MONDAY-FRIDAY. All other times, the Parkway is open to both ways of traffic.
8. Why do I see park staff spraying chemicals and cutting plants in the park?
You see our Natural Resources Management employees spraying non-native, exotic plants found in Rock Creek Park. They have been quite successful... (Look at the brochure on "Silent Green Invaders." To read the final report on their efforts read "Rock Creek Park Invasive Non-Native Plant Mitigation Program Final Report".
9. Can I pick plants, berries, mushrooms, take animals home or remove historical items I find in the park?
No, no one may take anything out of the park, unless he or she is a professor or a professional (USGS, Smithsonian, etc.) with a permit (for plants or rocks) and he or she is using the specimen for an educational purpose. Visitors may be fined by Park Police if they are caught. If you see someone with a metal detector at places like Fort DeRussy or hunting for morels, please report these crimes to Park Police immediately! 10. How many deer, raccoons, foxes, coyote or bears are there in the park? Rock Creek Park has the largest density of raccoons in the United States. We have red and gray fox in the park, but less of the gray fox. Visitors often think that foxes look like large cats or small dogs. Park employees believe that there are six to eight fox dens scattered throughout the park. Coyote sightings have been reported since May 2004; they were confirmed by staff in September 2004. At least two animals have been seen in Rock Creek Park north of Military Road. See our coyote frequently asked questions page for more information. There are no bears in the park. Visitors walking along Rock Creek may see signs of beavers (beaver chews on the trees) or on a lucky day, they may even see one!
11. Is the park safe?
Yes, the park is relatively safe. It is best to be with another person if you are hiking or running (as a precaution - especially for women...). 12. How do I schedule a program? For Peirce Barn and Mill call 202-895-6070 and talk to a ranger to schedule a program. For the Old Stone House call 202-895-6070 and talk to a ranger to schedule a program. 13. What's going on with the General Management Plan? Of the four alternatives presented in the GMP to improve visitor services, administrative functions and traffic management, the NPS has chosen “Alternative A.” This alternative upgrades trails, rehabilitates historic structures and improves the location and condition of visitor facilities. It also continues the weekend and holiday closures of sections of Beach Drive, and allows through traffic on weekdays, using methods to slow traffic and improve traffic safety throughout the park. Alternative A also continues the current weekday rush hour, one-directional flow of all lanes of traffic on the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway. More information may be found at the NPS Planning, Environment and Public project page at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?parkId=198&projectId=11262 The complete Rock Creek Park General Management plan can be viewed at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=198&projectId=11262&documentID=13218 Further Information will also be available in the and at the following locations: and the
14. How do I get on the mailing list for the calendar of events or newsletter?
Call 202-895-6070 and ask to be added to the mailing list or e-mail e-mail us
15. How do I apply for a job?
Go to http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ on the internet or go to the Regional Office on Ohio Drive by the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial to look for vacancies.
16. Whom do I call for special use permits?
Call our Special Park Use Permits Office at 202-895-6000. 17. How do I reserve a picnic grove? If you rent porta potties or use a caterer for you picnic you must obtain a permit our permit office at (202) 895-6000 in addition to your picnic permit. 18. Where can I go horse riding? How much does it cost? Or you may bring your own horse. You may park your trailer at the Nature Center, but please stick to the designated bridle trails.
19. How big is the park?
The main section of Rock Creek Park is 1754 acres. In addition to the other green areas the park administers, (Glover Archbold Park, Montrose Park, Dumbarton Oaks Park, Meridian Hill Park, Battery Kemble Park, Palisades Park, Whitehaven Park, etc.) it is over 2,000 acres.
20. When was this park created?
The park was created and the land set aside in 1890. It is the oldest natural urban park in the NPS.
21. Do you have facilities for birthday parties?
We have no indoor facilities for parties. You may reserve a picnic area through the DC Department of Parks and Recreation and parties can participate with public programs that we give.
22. What is the best hiking trail?
They are all good, but my personal favorite is the Western Ridge trail north of Military Road (around the Pinehurst Branch Tributary). 23. Where can I have a wedding in Rock Creek Park? New/Different Wedding Permit Fees (as of 02/25/2000) Special Use Permits are issued for small wedding ceremonies ONLY and for three different locations in the Park - Old Stone House (garden area only), Montrose Park and Meridian Hill. Weddings have to meet the following criterion: If you have any questions, please call the Special Park Uses Ranger at 202-895-6012.
The rules and regulations that cover Rock Creek Park are listed in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 36, Parts 1 to 199 (36CFR) and the Superintendent's Compendium.
24. Is my dog allowed in the park?
Dogs are allowed in Rock Creek Park as long as they are on a leash.
25. Can I camp here?
We have no campground facilities in the park. You can camp nearby at Prince William Forest Park in VA, Greenbelt Park in MD; and the C&0 Canal NHP in MD. 26. Can I have a campfire in the park?
27. Can I fish in Rock Creek?
District of Columbia fishing laws and/or regulations apply throughout the park. Commercial fishing is not allowed within the park. Fishing is not allowed on Rock Creek or its tributaries north of the Porter Street bridge on Rock Creek. 28. Can I kayak/canoe in Rock Creek Park? Vessels must meet the following size, length or width restrictions:
29. Can I hold a special event in Rock Creek Park?
Weddings are allowed by permit at Meridian Hill Park or the gardens of Old Stone House, fee charged, contact Special Park Use Office at 202.895.6012. Special events or First Amendment Rights demonstrations of more than 25 people require a permit from the NCR Park Programs Office, 202.619.7225. Groups larger than 10 horses and riders need a free permit from the Special Park Uses office, 202.895.6012
30. Can I swim, wade, bathe in Rock Creek?
All Rock Creek Park areas are closed to swimming, bathing and wading by people and pets.
31. What is the maximum number of people we can have in a picnic area?
Picnic areas numbered 1, 6,7,8,9,10,13,23,and 24 require a reservation permit and are limited to no more than 75 people. Picnic areas 2,3,4,5,11,12,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22 operate as first-come, first-served, and limited to no more than 25 people. Large group picnics of 25 or more people are not allowed outside of numbered picnic areas unless the superintendent provides an exception in writing. Informal picnics of less than 25 people are allowed in all areas except for Dumbarton Oaks Park, Fort Stevens, and Battleground Cemetery, where no picnicking is allowed.
32. Can we have amplified music at our picnic?
Amplified sound is not allowed in picnic areas.
33.Can we have a moon bounce at our picnic?
Canopies, tents or shade structures anchored to the ground, awnings or portable pavilions are prohibited except where written permission is obtained from the Superintendent. This includes moon bounces. 34. Can I pan for gold in Rock Creek Park? A recent article in the local Washington, DC press documented the activities of several persons who were panning for gold in Rock Creek Park. It is critical that park visitors understand that any recreational or commercial activity that damages, harms or removes any natural, cultural or archeological resource is illegal. Violators are subject to fines and criminal prosecution by the United States Park Police.
And the most frequently asked question on the web site:
35. How can I get a hard copy of the map of Rock Creek Park? Visit one of our visitor centers and pick one up, or e-mail e-mail us with your address and we will mail you a copy free of charge. |
Did You Know?
Three kinds of wild canids (dogs) live in Rock Creek Park, the coyote, the red fox and secretive gray fox.