{"id":"nps-rocr","slug":"rock-creek-park","name":"Rock Creek Park","designation":"Park","category":"other","categoryLabel":"Other Designation","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"ROCR","designation":"Park","sourceId":"nps-rocr"}],"states":["DC"],"stateNames":["District of Columbia"],"location":{"lat":38.95125063,"lon":-77.05002838},"bbox":[-77.0584,38.9327,-77.0341,38.9912],"acres":{"value":1771,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"Rock Creek Park is truly a gem in our nation's capital. This 1,754 acre city park was officially authorized in 1890, making it the third national park to be designated by the federal government. It offers visitors the opportunity to escape the bustle of the city and find a peaceful refuge, recreation, fresh air, majestic trees, wild animals, and thousands of years of human history.","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[{"id":"dbd-rock-creek-park-dc","type":"visited","label":"T.R. was here","place":"Rock Creek Park","first":"1891-04-26","last":"1908-11-07","days":10,"text":"Day by Day places T.R. at Rock Creek Park on 10 days between 1891-04-26 and 1908-11-07.","sources":[{"name":"Rock Creek Park in Theodore Roosevelt Day by Day","url":"https://daybyday.labs.trlibrary.com/place.html?id=rock-creek-park-dc"},{"name":"First recorded day","url":"https://daybyday.labs.trlibrary.com/day.html?date=1891-04-26"}],"dataset":"daybyday","reviewed":true}],"trTypes":["visited"],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/rocr/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=38.9912&b_tl_lng=-77.0584&b_br_lat=38.9327&b_br_lng=-77.0341","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Rock%20Creek%20Park","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/5578822B-0F57-D3E7-A49D70F3D88C1509.jpg","title":"Rock Creek Park's Boulder Bridge","alt":"Stone bridge and fall leaves","caption":"Boulder Bridge in Rock Creek Park","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/55F58D72-A55D-7573-6D04AFFB2E33F50F.jpg","title":"Rocks in the Creek","alt":"Water swirls around large boulders in a creek.  Trees in autumn colors line the bank","caption":"Rock Creek in Autumn","credit":"NPS Photo/ K. Cain","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/49BAB6E4-91B3-9624-43F4A6C4F1E1BFD8.jpg","title":"Nature Center","alt":"a one story building nestled among green leafy trees","caption":"Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/56BA4FB4-C346-393E-5AF6167E2C54AA85.jpg","title":"Rocks in Rock Creek","alt":"Dark boulders scattered through a narrow creek.  Green trees rise up on either bank.","caption":"Rock Creek","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C79683C-1DD8-B71B-0BEDB5CD59B5341A.jpg","title":"Peirce Mill","alt":"A stone mill house","caption":"Peirce Mill","credit":"NPS Photo/Michael Zwelling","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Arts and Culture","Live Music","Auto and ATV","Scenic Driving","Astronomy","Planetarium","Biking","Fishing","Food","Picnicking","Golf","Guided Tours","Self-Guided Tours - Walking","Hiking","Horse Trekking","Horseback Riding","Paddling","Canoeing","Kayaking","Junior Ranger Program","Playground","Wildlife Watching","Birdwatching","Park Film","Museum Exhibits","Shopping","Bookstore and Park Store"],"topics":["Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite","National Cemetery","Engineering","Farming and Agriculture","Plantations","Forts","Industry","Mills","Military","Infantry and Militia","Artillery","Battlefields","Monuments and Memorials","Music","Social Movements","Wars and Conflicts","Civil War","Animals","Birds","Tortoises and Turtles","Climate Change","Forests and Woodlands","Deciduous Forests","Night Sky","Astronomy","Trails","Unique Species","Endangered"],"fees":[],"passes":[],"hours":[{"name":"Rock Creek Park lands","description":"Unless otherwise designated, all park land is open sunrise to sunset. Roads are open 24 hours unless posted otherwise.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"Sunrise to Sunset","monday":"Sunrise to Sunset","thursday":"Sunrise to Sunset","sunday":"Sunrise to Sunset","tuesday":"Sunrise to Sunset","friday":"Sunrise to Sunset","saturday":"Sunrise to Sunset"},"exceptions":[]}],"directions":"Ample parking for hiking, biking and visiting the Nature Center is located at 5200 Glover Road NW. Rock Creek Park is a large urban park stretching from the Maryland - DC border to the Potomac River. Rock Creek Park also administers 99 separate neighborhood small sites. A large network of public roads provide access to all points administered by Rock Creek Park.","weatherInfo":"Weather in D.C. is often erratic. Spring: Pleasant, Avg. High: 67° Avg. Low: 44.3°, Avg. Precipitation: 12.1” Summer: Hot & Humid, Avg. High: 87°, Avg. Low: 66°, Avg. Precipitation: 12.7”, July is the hottest month Fall: Pleasant, Avg. High: 69°, Avg. Low: 48.3°, Avg. Precipitation: 11.6” Winter: Mild, Avg. High: 45°, Avg. Low: 27.3°, Avg. Precipitation: 9.3”, Avg. Snowfall: 15.4” January is coolest month. Hurricanes may impact D.C. in late summer and fall. Light droughts are not uncommon in summer.","contacts":{"phone":"202-895-6000","email":"rocr_superintendent@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Nature Center","description":"The Nature Center is home to our Planetarium and nature exhibit area which features displays of plants and animals that can be found in the park. Most of Rock Creek park's public and educational programs begin at the Nature Center.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/nature-center-and-planetarium.htm","lat":38.9600469694,"lon":-77.0517597653},{"name":"Peirce Mill","description":"Peirce Mill, built in the 1820s, is the last operational grist mill along Rock Creek. The grounds are open according to general park hours.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/peirce-mill-visitor-center.htm","lat":38.94039196562685,"lon":-77.0519157820698},{"name":"Old Stone House","description":"Built circa 1765, Old Stone House is the oldest structure on its original foundation in Washington, DC. Old Stone House is open for visitors at the hours listed below. The grounds are open according to general park hours (sunrise to sunset).","url":"https://www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/old-stone-house-visitor-center.htm","lat":38.90536720034042,"lon":-77.060363100568}],"campgrounds":[],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"civil-war-defenses-of-washington","km":2},{"slug":"african-american-civil-war-memorial","km":4},{"slug":"carter-g-woodson-home-national-historic-site","km":5},{"slug":"mary-mcleod-bethune-council-house-national-historic-site","km":5},{"slug":"fords-theatre-national-historic-site","km":6},{"slug":"the-white-house-and-presidents-park","km":6}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=rocr"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.622Z","alerts":[{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Waterside Drive NW Road Closure Temporarily Delayed","text":"The planned construction and temporary closure of Waterside Drive NW have been postponed. There is no construction detour currently in place. Construction is now expected to begin in Spring 2027.","url":"https://go.nps.gov/ROCRalerts","updated":"2026-11-06 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-C602DEE7-EF45-44DD-A6DD-203F464A18B7"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Park Closure","title":"Nighttime Road and Trail Closures Begin Nov. 2","text":"Beginning Nov. 2, Rock Creek Park will temporarily close some roads and trails at night for deer management. Closed areas will be identified by NPS staffed closures along with signage and/or temporary barricades. Please follow posted detours and never enter closed areas. This work helps protect the forest and wildlife. For closures, safety precautions, and answers, read our Deer Management FAQ (https://www.nps.gov/rocr/learn/management/white-tailed-deer-management.htm).","url":null,"updated":"2026-10-30 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-7CE8D339-65DA-4A0F-97F5-1A459166CE5F"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Park Closure","title":"Partial Closure of Meridian Hill Park Upper-Level","text":"The upper-level grass panels at Meridian Hill Park will be temporarily closed to the public from October 13 through November 9, 2026, to facilitate restoration work and protect public safety. Fencing and signage will mark the closure. The upper plaza, other portions of Meridian Hill Park, and nearby park areas will remain open to the public, though access to the turf areas will be restricted.","url":null,"updated":"2026-10-13 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-C59FCB2D-88EA-403A-896B-1E980BDAD35A"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Park Closure","title":"Nature Center and Planetarium Closure","text":"The Nature Center and Planetarium building is closed until further notice due to continued remediation. Check the park's calendar for changes to ranger programs and locations.","url":null,"updated":"2026-04-08 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-AB8214A2-E008-4E1F-9727-6BE717D8F39A"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Park Closure","title":"Part of Fort Totten Park remains closed for public safety","text":"Out of an abundance of caution, Fort Totten Park will remain closed east of Fort Totten Drive, south of Gallatin Street/Metropolitan Branch Trail and north of Brookland Ave NE/Farragut St. due to the investigation involving two WWI-era munitions found.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/rocr/learn/news/2023-11-09-fort-totten-park-update.htm","updated":"2024-11-08 15:48:29.0","id":"nps-0D7F13F4-BCB8-4392-A926-FC3DB4486473"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/rock-creek-park/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/rock-creek-park.geojson"}