Rock Creek Park · District of Columbia County, DC
Western Ridge Trail
Ridge-top counterpart to the Valley Trail. Loop the two via connectors for an ~11 mile DC trail run.
Live · updated
Today
Park closure — trail is inaccessible today.
Primary activity: hiking
The Nature Center and Planetarium building is closed until further notice due to continued remediation. Check the park's calendar for changes to ranger programs and locations.
The lower plaza and areas surrounding the cascading fountain of Meridian Hill Park are closed while the park undergoes repairs. Sidewalks along W and 16th Streets remain open to pedestrians. A pathway between W Street NW, the James Buchanan Memorial, the Dante Statue, and the upper terrace is open but will close at a later date for work on the statues. Much of the upper level of the park will close in spring and summer 2026 to rehabilitate the grass.
Out of an abundance of caution, Fort Totten Park will remain closed east of Fort Totten Drive, south of Gallatin Street/Metropolitan Branch Trail and north of Brookland Ave NE/Farragut St. due to the investigation involving two WWI-era munitions found.
Conditions
Score by activity
Hiking
Park closure — trail is inaccessible today.
Trail running
Park closure — trail is inaccessible today.
Dog walking
Park closure — trail is inaccessible today.
Score breakdown
- ✓ 43°F air — Right in trail running's ideal range
- ✓ AQI 36 — Clean air
- ✓ Trail: prime — No meaningful rain in the last 48 hours. Trail surface is dry and tacky — prime traction.
Trail facts
- Distance
- 4.6 mi round-trip
- Elevation gain
- 500 ft
- Surface
- dirt
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Typical crowds
- moderate
- Dogs
- Leash required
Trailhead
Parking
Trailhead lot .
Facilities
Bathrooms , drinking water.
Coordinates
38.9800, -77.0500 — District of Columbia County, DC.
Park
Part of Rock Creek Park (official site →).
Park advisories
In late March and early April, there will be temporary closures on Piney Branch Parkway for project work with DC Water and the Federal Highway Administration. As much as possible, these temporary closures will not occur during rush hour times.
For visitor safety, the southern end of the Glover Archbold Trail is under an emergency closure until further notice due to aerial hazards. Please follow the posted detour along Foxhall Rd. / 44th St. NW / P St. NW.