Eight group picnic areas in Rock Creek Park are available for advance reservation from April 1 through November 30. These picnic areas are available on a first-come, first-served basis from December 1 through March 31.
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Eight group picnic areas in Rock Creek Park are available for advance reservation from April 1 through November 30. These picnic areas are available on a first-come, first-served basis from December 1 through March 31.
All picnic groves are equipped with multiple picnic tables, some also have fireplaces that can be used for cooking. User must provide a cooking grate or other cooking equipment. Picnic groves 1, 6, 13 and 24 have pavilions. Some sites offer access to toilet facilities, though not all. Please refer to specific grove descriptions for details.
Maximum Group Size. The maximum number of picnickers per site is 75. Shelters will not accommodate all participants at the same time.
Daylight Hours Only. Rock Creek Park is only open until 7:00 pm or dark during the time of year that it gets dark before 7:00 p.m.
Clean Up. You are responsible for cleaning up after your event. Please bring clear plastic bags. Place bags in or beside trash containers if they are full.
Fires and Firewood. Permittee must furnish their own charcoal. Collection of wood in the park is prohibited. Fires may only be built in the fireplaces provided or in personal grills. Fires may be prohibited during dry seasons. Do not dump spent charcoal or other ash on the ground. Place ashes in the existing stone fireplaces or trash receptacles when completely extinguished.
Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit www.dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
Decorations, Specialized Recreation Equipment, etc. Do not attach ribbons, posters, or directional signs to any park object, either natural or man-made. Balloons are prohibited in Rock Creek Park. Additionally, specialized recreation equipment, mechanical or carnival rides such as moon bounces, dunk tanks, photo booths, rides using livestock, and petting zoos and/or displays using live animals are prohibited in Rock Creek Park.
Inspection. Picnic grove sites are subject to inspection by a Park Ranger and/or US Park Police at any time.
Damages. The permittee is responsible for any damages to government property or for any costs incurred by the National Park Service (NPS) or U.S. Park Police resulting from the permittee's event. The NPS will issue a Bill of Collection for costs incurred due to vandalism, negligence or other actions by a permitted group or individuals in the group. The permittee is expected to leave the site in clean condition.
No Commercial Activities (including Catering). Commercial activities are prohibited on National Park Service property. Commercial catering is not permitted on park grounds. Permittee must take receipt of any commercial goods off of park property.
No Solicitation. Solicitation, collection of money and collection of personal information are prohibited on National Park Service property.
Parking. Parking is permitted in designated paved areas only. Vehicles are prohibited from driving or parking on the grass. Parking is limited within Rock Creek Park and is not guaranteed by this permit. Parking is not reserved and will remain open to the public at all times.
No Moving Picnic Tables. Do not move tables between picnic sites.
Permit is for the Picnic Area Only. Permittee's use of the picnic grove may not interfere with other park visitors' use of nearby playground equipment, parking spaces, restroom facilities, or tables and benches outside the picnic grove area.
No Alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
Noise prohibitions. Electric generators and amplified sound systems are prohibited. This includes live bands, DJ, etc.
Volleyball and badminton nets must be self-supporting. Nets may not be tied to any natural or built feature in the park. Supports for the nets may not be driven into the ground. Softball, soccer and similar activities are permitted in areas adjacent to the picnic groves, only temporary goals, bases, backstops and similar equipment may be used.
Rock Creek Park is truly a gem in our nation's capital. Fresh air, majestic trees, wild animals and the ebb and flow of Rock Creek emanate the delicate aura of the forest.
Rock Creek Park is located near many national monuments and museums in the nation's capital.
Recreational activities in Rock Creek Park include: soccer, picnics, hiking, biking, roller blading, tennis, fishing, horseback riding and attending a concert or park ranger program.
Rock Creek Park, 3545 Williamsburg Lane NW Washington DC 20008
For campground inquiries, please call: 202-895-6000
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Rock Creek Park is located in northwest Washington, DC, lying between Connecticut Avenue to the west and 16th Street to the east. For directions to a specific picnic site, please refer to the Rock Creek Park map online at www.nps.gov/rocr .
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