Rock Creek Park - Rapids Bridge Hike
About This Trail
This 2- mile loop hike takes you through the forest and then parallels the scenic whitewater section of Rock Creek before heading back uphill. The trail starts from the horse center and is identified by orange tape on wooden posts.
Submitted by Joe Linehan
Trail Features
| Seasons | Fall, Spring, Summer, and Winter |
|---|---|
| Surface type | Dirt |
| Elevation gain | 100 ft. |
| Stroller friendly | Yes |
| Stroller terrain | All Terrain |
| ADA accessible | Yes |
| Water fountains | Yes |
| Bathrooms | Yes |
| Cell reception | Excellent |
| Pet friendly | Yes |
| Nearby convenience store | Yes |
| Camping Nearby | No |
| Emergency support within 5 miles |
Yes |
Trail highlights
In addition to hiking the trail, Rock Creek Park has many other fun family-friendly activities including a nature center where ranger-led hikes begin, historically significant sites, and even a planetarium. A one-half mile self-guiding interpretive trail, the Woodland Trail, begins behind the Nature Center, while a one-fourth mile wheelchair-accessible Edge of the Woods trail begins right out the front door. The Nature Center is wheelchair-accessible.
Fee & Parking Details
Ample parking at the Nature Center. From the Nature Center, walk south/back through the parking lot toward the Horse Center. Take a sharp left into the Horse Center and head straight towards the corral. The dirt trail begins to the left of the corral.
Trail Contributor
Hike it Baby Trail Guide is managed by the Family Trail Guide team. If a trail has been “abandoned” by the initial owner, it gets adopted by the team. Also, if there are no trails in the area, the Family Trail Guide team researches trails that are family friendly in the area to insure that hikes cover all areas where Hike it Baby hikes.
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Weather
Trail Map
Upcoming Community Hikes Nearby
Getting There
Directions from Downtown Washington, DC: Take the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway north to Beach Drive. Exit onto Beach Drive, north, and take it to Broad Branch Road. Make a left and then a right onto Glover Road, follow the signs to the Nature Center, 5200 Glover Road, NW.
| Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium 5200 Glover Road, NW, Washington, D.C. Near the intersection of Military Road and Glover Road |
About The Guide