Recreate Responsibly

Our unique urban wilderness is truly a natural oasis. As you visit the park, please follow these helpful tips to ensure you recreate responsibly – so you and all of us stay healthy and safe!

#RecrearResponsablemente

para Proteger Nuestros Parques

 
 

  • Social Distance, Not Social Trails

    Unofficial trails (known as social trails) fragment the forest, making them vulnerable to invasion by non-native plants. This can lead to the loss of trees, which support our health and provide critical habitat for wildlife. Please see this map of Rock Creek Park trails.

  • Stay Dry, Stay Safe

    Rock Creek has high levels of bacteria and other infectious pathogens that make swimming, wading, and other contact with the water a hazard to human (and pet) health. Please protect yourself and your pooches by staying on trails and out of the creek. See here for recent data on bacteria levels in Rock Creek and its tributaries.

  • Doggie Do-Right

    Dogs on leashes are welcome visitors in the park. Leashes help keep everyone safe, including your dog, park wildlife, native plants, and other park visitors.

    Make sure to: bag your pet’s waste and dispose of it properly, always leash your pet, respect wildlife, and know where you can go!

  • Hug a Tree, Don’t Hurt a Tree

    Hammocks, rope swings, and slacklines hurt and can kill trees. Ropes tied to trees to suspend these devices cut into and harm tree bark, expose the tree to bacteria, bugs, and fungi, and can cut off nutrient circulation.  

    Park visitors are encouraged to use free-standing hammocks and slacklines supported by a frame in grassy, open areas, away from trees.

Recreate responsibly 101

Learn how to recreate responsibly while out in Rock Creek Park! The following videos explore the core #RecreateResponsibly values. The corresponding audio described version can be found below each video.

Recreate Responsibly Overview

Avoid Social Trails in Rock Creek Park

Doggie Do Right

Parking Responsibly

 

Please protect our parks and the safety of pedestrians and cyclists by parking only in designated spots in parking lots in the parks. See the Rock Creek Park alerts and conditions page for more information and parking tips, or consider parking in communities around the park and hiking in for a little extra trail time!