Rock Creek National Park

What makes Rock Creek National Park special

In the 1600s and early 1700s, European Americans took Rock Creek from the American Indians, who called Rock Creek home for thousands of years. 
Rock Creek became one of the first federally managed parks in 1809.
During the Civil War (1861 to 1865), Rock Creek was deforested. Its trees were felled to prevent Confederate soldiers from passing through. 

What to do in Rock Creek National Park

Visit the planetarium
—the only planetarium in the National Park Service! Go see the stars. 
Check out the Nature Center Exhibit Hall for a rundown on the plants and animals you might see at Rock Creek. 
Visit the
live animals
who live at the Nature Center, including Pokey the Eastern Box Turtle and Oscar the Eastern King Snake. 
Participate in a
ranger-led program
to learn more about the history of the park.
Volunteer in
Extreme Clean Up
and give back to Rock Creek! 

When to visit Rock Creek National Park

Pro Tip If you’re traveling with your pup, make sure to keep them leashed the entire time they’re in the park! It’s D.C. law. 

Anacostia National Park

What makes Anacostia National Park special

Native Americans lived in and roamed Anacostia Park for at least 10,000 years before European Americans laid claim to it. 
The NacotchtankIndians lived along the eastern shore of the Anacostia. “Anacostia” is the Latinization of the Algonquian name “Nacotchtank.”
In the early 1900s, the land was transformed into a park. This was a decades-long process that involved dredging the river and building seawalls. 
In 1933, the management for Anacostia Park was turned over to the National Park Service.

What to do in Anacostia National Park

Check out the
Roller Skating Pavilion
Memorial Day through Labor Day. 
Talk a
walk along the River
, utilize the
fitness station
, or play a game of basketball.
Go
boating
, take your kids to the epic
playground
, picnic, or grill out. 
Visit the
Aquatics Resources Education Center
and see more than 40 species of wildlife that live in the Anacostia River.

When to visit Anacostia National Park

Capitol Hill Parks

What makes Capitol Hill Parks special

Folger Park
is one of the larger parks and was named after Charles J. Folger, the Secretary of the Treasury who died in office in 1884.
In
Lincoln Park
, you can see statues of Abraham Lincoln and
Mary McLeod Bethune
, a Civil Rights leader. 
In
Stanton Park
, there is a statue of Revolutionary War General Nathanael Greene on horseback, which was erected in 1878.

What to do in Capitol Hill Parks

Walk, run, and bike to the various parks. You may also picnic on the grounds.
Visit
Marion Park
and learn about one of the first areas in Washington where black and white communities overlapped and clashed.
Visit the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument in Stanton Park.
Take your children to the various playgrounds located throughout the parks. 

When to visit Capitol Hill Parks

Fort Dupont National Park

What makes Fort Dupont National Park special

It was erected as a fort during the Civil War, though it was never very capable and was abandoned in 1864.
Runaway slaves took shelter here before making it to Washington. 
The National Capital Planning Commission acquired the old fort in the 1930s.

What to do in Fort Dupont National Park 

Utilize the sports complex, which has tennis and basketball courts, a softball field, and even an indoor ice rink!  
Enjoy nature walks, biking,
gardening
, and picnics. 
Take advantage of the ranger-lededucational programs to learn more about the park’s
history
.
Check out the
Fort Dupont Park Summer Event Series
, which has been running since the 1970s and celebrates music in the D.C. area.

When to visit Fort Dupont National Park

Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens

What makes Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens special

The Nacotchtanks Indians used this land originally until it was taken from them.
A man named
Walter Shaw
eventually bought the land and turned it into an aquatic garden. His daughter, Helen Fowler, expanded the area and imported additional flowers to make it the National Park it is today.

What to do in Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens

Go
birdwatching
! Kenilworth Park is home to many species of birds.
Check out what’s blooming in the
Aquatic Gardens
. No matter what season you visit, you’ll see something wonderful. 
Watch turtles sun themselves on logs (how sweet!) and watch beavers build their dams.
Take part in the
Lotus and Water Lily Festival
during the peak blooming period in July.

When to visit Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens

How to prepare to visit D.C.’s national parks

If you’re visiting D.C.’s parks from out of town, make sure
your car’s maintenance
is up to date. You’d hate to break down on your way! 
On that note, it’s a good idea to
update your car insurance
before any long road trip.
All the D.C. parks we mentioned are free, but consider purchasing an
America the Beautiful nationwide pass
if you want to visit other National Parks that cost money. It’s the beginning of a beautiful addiction.

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