Scenic Drive on Rock Creek Parkway, Washington DC

Rock Creek Parkway threads the wooded valley that cuts through the middle of Washington — a shaded creek road that feels like deep forest, a few minutes from the monuments.

Washington DC · Drive · about 20 min · 5 miles · Pleasantness: Very High

Why this route is pleasant

• Follows Rock Creek through a wooded valley inside the city
• Dense tree canopy and the sound of the creek
• Stone bridges and 1930s parkway design
• Car-free on weekends for walkers and cyclists
• Connects the forest of Rock Creek Park to the Potomac

What you'll see

• Rock Creek tumbling beside the road
• Old stone arch bridges
• The wooded slopes of Rock Creek Park
• The Kennedy Center and Potomac at the southern end

Best time to go

A weekend morning when the upper parkway closes to cars, or peak fall color in late October.

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