3-Mile Rolling Meadows Bridge Hike

The paved multi-use trail is a great option for slower cyclists and pedestrians along Beach Drive.

NPS Photo/ K. Cain

• Start at Picnic Grove #6. Not only is there a large parking area, but there are bathrooms and a water fountain available. If lot #6 is full, stop in the pull out next to the bathroom if you need a pit stop before your hike, and proceed to Picnic Grove #7. 

• Go north on Beach Drive and follow the paved path that runs parallel to the road.

• Cross over Bingham Drive and take the small dirt trail up through the trees. Stay on this trail until it comes to a T-intersection and go right. 

• When the trail splits again, you can follow the Pinehurst Trail (blazed in Gold) to the left. Follow the Pinehurst Trail until it crosses the Rock Creek Trail.

• Follow this paved path back to Bingham Drive and then walk the paved multi-use trail to return to Beach Drive and return to your vehicle.

Looking for more of a challenge? 

• Use the Valley Trail instead of the paved path along Beach Drive.

• Cross the creek at Rolling Meadows Bridge and use caution crossing Beach Drive to access the Pinehurst Trail on the other side.

Details

Activity

Hiking

The combination of easy grade and option to utilize the paved, multi-use trail makes this an easy hike for those not wanting to be out for a long period of time or just trying to explore a new area of the park. Access to public restrooms is available at Picnic Grove #6 and the trail can be made fully accessible by doubling back when the paved section runs out or going across the Bingham multi-use path and continuing up the Rock Creek Trail beside Oregon Avenue. The trail can be made longer or shorter depending on where a visitor wants to cross over.

Pets Allowed

Yes

Pets are allowed on trails within Rock Creek Park but must adhere to the B.A.R.K. Ranger Principles. Dogs must always be on a leash within the park. Waste must be carried out and disposed of in trash receptacles.

For more information on B.A.R.K. Ranger visit the Pets section of the National Park Service website.

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

Beach Drive North

This trail travels along Beach Drive to the North of Picnic Grove #6 and traverses across the park at the Pinehurst Branch.  

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

This trail will go through many changes throughout the year. In winter, sparse ground cover will allow for greater views through the woods and of the creek. In spring, new growth and wild flowers will be visible. In summer, the dense green brush will help dampen city noises and envelope visitors in a completely different world. In autumn, visitors will find themselves surrounded in a riot of colors provided by the changing leaves of oak, chestnut and beech trees.

Time of Day

Day

Rock Creek Park is open from Sunrise to Sunset. Activities in the park are limited to these hours.

Accessibility Information

Ample parking is available at the picnic groves along Beach Drive. The paved multi-use trail is smooth and is about six feet in width. The multi-use trail is accessible to Bingham Drive. The bridle trail to the Pinehurst Branch is not accessible, though the trail is roughly seven feet wide, it is dirt and has occasionally roots and steps. The grade changes to bring visitors up and over the hill to the Pinehurst Branch. The Pinehurst Branch trail is a narrow pedestrian only trail that is three feet across in places. The trail dips and climbs with the elevation and traverse of the creek. It has rocks and branches that will cross it. The Rock Creek Trail is a paved multi-use trail that parallels Oregon Avenue along the western boundary of the park.  

For accessibility purposes, visitors might want to utilize the Bingham Drive spur of the multi-use trail and access the Rock Creek Trail until it joins the Pinehurst Branch and then double back.