7-mile Hiking/Biking Loop
Rock Creek Park
This 7-mile trek is fully accessible and utilizes closed roads and multi-use trails in the park. Steep descents and sharp turns can make this a challenging and fun ride for everyone.
Rock Creek Park is a great place to play on foot or bicycle! Bicycles are not allowed on dirt trails and must remain on paved trails and paved roads. This 7-mile circuit invites park visitors to take advantage of the multi-use trail (for pedestrians or cyclists) and closed sections of roadway. Start at Picnic Grove 10 along Beach Drive. If the lot is full, you can start this hike from Picnic Grove 6, 7, 8, or 9. Proceed north through the closed gate on foot or on bicycle. (Note: Park roads in yellow on the map are currently closed every day of the week due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but are normally closed weekends and holidays.) Turn left onto Wise Road NW. You will be sharing this road with vehicles. Take an immediate left onto the paved path into the woods (Rock Creek Multi-use Trail) and proceed south. Just before Military Road NW, take a left onto the paved trail. This path is steep! Proceed slowly and use caution, as leaves or wet surfaces can make it difficult to get traction on a bicycle. Follow the paved trail to the right and head towards Beach Drive NW. Walk or ride down Beach Drive NW enjoying the sound of running water and bird songs. Stop at Boulder Bridge and take in the view. To complete this 7-mile circuit, turn around and take Beach Drive back towards the U.S. Park Police Substation. When you get to the gate by the U.S .Park Police Substation, be sure to come to a full stop and cross the roadway with caution. If you feel like going a little further (.9 miles), you could continue to Tilden Street NW and take a right. Bathrooms are located at Peirce Barn and Picnic Grove 1. You will sharing the road with vehicles after Broad Branch Road NW. On your way back, consider taking the multi-use paved trail to the left of the road. Otherwise, take the same route back to the U.S. Park Police Substation. When you get to the gate by the U.S .Park Police Substation, be sure to come to a full stop and cross the roadway with caution. Continue back to the picnic grove where you started your adventure.
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Beach Drive is a two-lane road that winds along the Rock Creek Valley floor and parallels the creek. Sections of the road are open to vehicular traffic at times and closed to vehicles at others. The Rock Creek Park Multi-use Trail is roughly six-feet-wide universally throughout the park. While level in most places, it does have dips and rises following the natural landscape. The most extreme change in elevation is between Oregon Avenue NW and Beach Drive NW where it parallels Military Road NW. We recommend the prescribed route, since it will allow you to go down this steep section rather than climb up it.
Yes — Pets are allowed on trails within Rock Creek Park but must adhere to the B.A.R.K. Ranger Principles. Dogs must always be on a leash within the park. Waste must be carried out and disposed of in trash receptacles. For more information on B.A.R.K. Ranger visit the Pets section of the National Park Service website.
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