Land Adventures & History Tour at Rock Creek Park by DC Design Tours

About

Step into Rock Creek Park, where over 1,700 acres of forest—with hiking trails, bubbling waterways, and historic landmarks—wind through the heart of Washington, DC. Established in 1890, Rock Creek Park was the third National Park in the U.S. and the first within a major city. The land was set aside as both a refuge for wildlife and a peaceful escape for Washingtonians. Long before its preservation, these lands supported Indigenous communities and later sustained agriculture, fishing, and milling. The creek powered industry, irrigated orchards, and served as a vital trade route.

Though it feels untouched today, much of Rock Creek’s landscape was carefully designed by the influential Olmsted Brothers, whose rustic bridges, winding roads, and stone structures helped establish a style of “parkitecture” that shaped National Parks nationwide. Today, Rock Creek is more than an urban forest; it’s a living archive of Washington’s past, where nature and history meet around every bend in the trail.

What We'll See

Our hike begins outside the Smithsonian National Zoo before slipping into Rock Creek Park through a quiet, little-known entrance, leaving the urban landscape behind. Following an abandoned road, we’ll pass the Tregaron Conservancy, a preserved woodland garden and former estate of Washington notables like inventor Alexander Graham Bell and cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post. From there, we climb the ridge to the hidden Peirce-Klingle Mansion, one of the park’s oldest surviving homes and a relic of its rural beginnings.

Crossing the western ridge, we’ll take in sweeping views with Rock Creek flowing far below before we descend into the valley to explore Pierce Mill, a restored 19th-century grist mill now operated by the National Park Service. Once one of eight mills along the creek, it served as a hub of industry, grinding grain for local farmers.

Continuing along Beach Drive, we’ll pass the riverside cliffs where President Teddy Roosevelt enjoyed rock climbing. Our path leads to the picturesque Boulder Bridge, a classic example of the rustic “parkitecture” that defines National Park design. Heading back along the creek, we follow a tranquil stretch of a recently renamed trail before emerging onto busy Connecticut Avenue near the Cleveland Park Metro Station.

Private & Group Tours

Private tours are available any day and time, for groups of all sizes! Check our private bookings calendar to reserve a walking tour for groups of up to twelve people. For times not listed online, groups larger than twelve, or custom itineraries, please get in touch.

Tour Details

3 hours 4 miles Children under 5 years old are free.

We'll be hiking on both paved paths and rocky uneven terrain. Sturdy shoes, bottled water, a bit of stamina, and comfortable clothes are highly recommended.

Where to Meet

Our walking tour begins outside the West entrance of the National Zoo at 3001 Connecticut Ave NW and concludes at the Cleveland Park Metro Station at 3599 Connecticut Ave NW.