Valley Trail at Rock Creek Park
There are two main hiking trails in Rock Creek Park, the Western Ridge Trail and the Valley Trail. Both run the length of the park from north to south, with the Western Ridge Trail following the western park border and the Valley Trail following the eastern border. In the middle are connector trails that run east to west, none of which have names. By combining various trails you can form a loop hike of a length that suits your stamina and schedule. There are also two short nature trails at the Rock Creek Nature Center.
The National Park Service has come up with three suggested routes, and hikers can pick up a brochure detailing these routes for free at the Nature Center. Ask for the Half-Day Hikes in Rock Creek Park brochure. Rarely will you find trail intersections marked with directional signage, so be sure to get the map before heading out, otherwise you’ll have no idea of where to turn.
I hiked the Milkhouse Ford and Boulder Bridge routes. There is also a Rapids Bridge Hike, but this is just a shorter version of the Boulder Bridge Hike, so I did not do it. For those looking for the ultimate challenge Rock Creek Park has to offer, make a 12-mile loop hike around the entire park by combining the Western Ridge and Valley trails. There is very little overlap with the other hikes.
For more information, see the following trail reviews:
With a few exceptions, use of any photograph on the National Park Planner website requires a paid Royalty Free Editorial Use License or Commercial Use License. See the Photo Usage page for details.
Last updated on April 30, 2020
