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Get Outside: Guide to Exploring Rock Creek Park

Photo credits: National Park Service

Rock Creek Park is one of Washington’s defining landscapes — a 1,754-acre national park running through the center of the city with forests, trails, creeks, and historic landmarks. Woodley Park sits directly along its eastern ridge, giving residents of Wardman Park’s Aerie and Zephyr at 2650 Woodley Road NW unusually quick access to the park’s trail system and natural areas.

This guide highlights the areas of Rock Creek Park most relevant to Woodley Park residents, with all links sourced from official National Park Service and District agencies.

Key Access Points Close to Woodley Park

Woodley Park has several stable, year-round connections into Rock Creek Park:

  • Smithsonian National Zoo Entrances: The Zoo borders the park and includes internal walkways that descend toward Beach Drive.

  • Zoo Tunnel Pedestrian Path (Harvard St NW): A walkway parallel to the Zoo tunnel provides one of the fastest access points into the Rock Creek valley.

  • Klingle Valley Trail: A restored, 0.7-mile paved trail linking Woodley Park, Mount Pleasant, and the central Rock Creek trail network.

  • Woodley Road NW Ridge Paths: Several informal trailheads along Woodley Road drop into wooded ravines that connect to the main valley trails. These are unpaved and more secluded.

Klingle Valley Trail

The Klingle Valley Trail is one of the most practical everyday routes into Rock Creek Park. Highlights include:

  • a fully paved, gently graded corridor
  • consistent shade in warmer months
  • a direct link to the broader multi-use trail system
  • easy access to Adams Mill Road and Mount Pleasant

It’s a reliable option for walkers, runners, and cyclists.

Beach Drive NW (Car-Free Weekends)

Beach Drive is the backbone of Rock Creek Park. On weekends and federal holidays, large segments close to vehicle traffic under the National Park Service’s recreation program.

These closures create one of DC’s best continuous corridors for:

  • long-distance running
  • road cycling
  • rollerblading
  • stroller-friendly walking
  • dog-friendly recreation

Melvin C. Hazen Trail

For unpaved hiking, the Melvin C. Hazen Trail offers:

  • narrow wooded paths through a deep ravine
  • several stream crossings
  • quieter terrain away from the busier paved routes
  • connections between Cleveland Park, Connecticut Avenue, and the Rock Creek valley

This trail feels more like a rural hike despite being minutes from city streets.

Peirce Mill Historic Site

Located at the intersection of Tilden Street NW and Beach Drive NW, Peirce Mill is a restored 19th-century gristmill operated by the National Park Service.

The site includes:

  • historic milling equipment
  • interpretive signage
  • demonstrations on select weekends
  • shaded picnic areas nearby

Rock Creek Nature Center and Planetarium

Farther north in the park, the Rock Creek Nature Center serves as an educational hub with:

  • ranger-led programs
  • exhibits on local wildlife
  • a children’s Discovery Room
  • Washington’s only planetarium

While not walkable from Woodley Park, it’s easily reachable by car or bike.

Running and Cycling Routes

Two core routes anchor most daily routines:

  • Beach Drive Loop — long, flat, scenic miles during car-free weekends
  • Klingle Valley → Peirce Mill Segment — ideal for mid-distance runs or rides

Both offer reliable surfaces, steady shade, and clear sightlines.

Why Rock Creek Park Matters to Woodley Park

Rock Creek Park shapes the identity of Woodley Park. Its trails, ravines, and green corridors give residents access to one of the largest urban parks in the country without leaving the neighborhood. For those living at Wardman Park’s Aerie and Zephyr, the park functions as a practical extension of daily life — a place for running, walking, or simply stepping into a quiet landscape minutes from home.