Nature Center Paved Hike in Rock Creek Park

Nature Center Paved "Hike" -- 2 miles

We've put this hike in quotation marks because it's really more of a walk on a paved path, but it works well to get you out in the park a bit even if all you're working with is a regular stroller. This hike starts at the impressive Rock Creek Nature Center and Planetarium (a destination for the kids all on its own, although the Planetarium temporarily closed for repairs). There is a large parking lot with plenty of room. The rangers at the center are great and there are interesting exhibits of wildlife found in the park. There is a very short paved loop around the nature center as well. We recommend popping in here, using the bathrooms, filling water bottles, etc. before getting started.

After finishing at the nature center, walk a few hundred feet to pick up a paved portion of Western Ridge Trail and turn right. Walk down to Military Road and cross at the light. Continue along the paved path as it follows the stretch of Military Road, but in the woods a bit. You'll reach the creek, and you can continue to follow the path to the right (south) along the creek for a few hundred feet until you reach a grassy picnic area. You can take a break here or walk across the Joyce Road bridge, turn right to see a small, sandy beach area by the creek just in front of the Rock Creek Park Station for the US Park Police (path marked in purple on the map above). There is a picnic bench here, and it's an inviting little area to play by the water. Afterward, head back up the way you came and back to the Nature Center.