Permits & Reservations

 

What is a Special Park Use Permit?

A Special Park Use Permit is needed for activities that use a specific area in the park for a particular purpose and amount of time.

• Permitted Activities: The National Park Service only allows activities that support the park's mission and do not harm park resources or disturb other visitors.

• Application Process: The type of permit application you need depends on the activity's nature and size. The information below will help you find the right application for your event. After you submit your application, our friendly park staff will assist you throughout the process.

• Rules to Follow: All permitted activities must comply with the rules and regulations outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations and the Superintendent’s Compendium.

National Capital Parks ― East (NACE) manages a variety of parks and historic sites in Washington, D.C., and Maryland, which include:

• Anacostia Park
• Baltimore-Washington Parkway
• Capitol Hill Parks
  • Folger Park, Lincoln Park, Marion Park, Seward Square, and Stanton Park
• Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site
• Civil War Defenses of Washington
  • Fort Carroll
  • Fort Chaplin
  • Fort Davis
  • Fort Greble
  • Fort Mahan
  • Fort Ricketts
  • Fort Stanton
• Fort Dupont Park
• Fort Foote Park
• Fort Washington Park
• Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
• Greenbelt Park
• Harmony Hall
• Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
• Kenilworth Park
• Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site
• Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Hill Farm
• Piscataway Park
• Shepherd Parkway
• Suitland Parkway

 

Dancing at the Lotus and Water Lily Festival

NPS / Rachel Hendrix

 

Permits Issued by National Capital Parks — East:

Special park use permits for specific activities issued by National Capital Parks ― East include

• Picnic areas that cannot be reserved on rec.gov

• Athletic Fields that cannot be reserved on rec.gov

• Weddings

Learn more about the application process for permits issued by National Capital Parks — East.

 

Picnic in the park

NPS / Rachel Hendrix

 

Picnic Reservations

National Capital Parks ― East offers some of the most scenic picnic areas in the DMV! We provide grills, picnic tables, and parking, making our locations ideal for birthdays, family celebrations, and company picnics. Make a National Park site a part of your experience!

Review the Picnic Area Locations below:

Anacostia Park

North Field Picnic Areas A and B

• By permit only

Aquatic Resources Education Center (AREC): Areas A, B, and C

• By permit only

River Terrace Picnic Area

• By permit only

Nicholson Street Area (Pirate Ship Playground)

• Available on a first-come, first-served basis—no permit required.

Click here to apply

Fort Dupont Park

Fort Dupont Earthworks (Lanham Estates) Picnic Area

• By permit only: Click here to apply

Randle Circle Picnic Area: Areas 74 & 74A

• Reservations for this locations must be booked online.

Fort Washington Park

• Reserved Areas: A, B, B1, B2, B3, B4, C, D1, D2, and D3

Reservations for this location must be booked online.

Greenbelt Park:

Sweetgum Picnic Area

• Available on a first-come, first-served basis—no permit required.

Holly Picnic Area

• By permit only

Laurel Picnic Area

• By permit only

Click here to apply

Conditions for Picnicking

All Areas:

• Privately owned propane grills are not allowed.

• Please pick up trash and dispose of it properly in trash receptacles.

• Tents, canopies, or shelters are allowed only if they are free-standing, self-supporting, and weighted in a way that does not block views or restrict access to areas for other visitors. Tents, tarps, or shelters that require stakes or guy lines for support are not permitted.

For more information on our picnic regulations, please review the Superintendent’s Compendium.

 

A flag football game on the athletic fields at Anacostia Park

NPS / M. Marquez

 

Sports Field Permits

Anacostia Park is the perfect location for your soccer league, baseball team, and other organized sports! Our fields overlook the Anacostia River and are conveniently located just off Interstate 295.

Amenities Include:

• Ample parking

• Picnic tables

• Close proximity to:

  • Capital Bike Share stations

  • Anacostia Riverwalk Trail

  • Anacostia Roller Skating Pavilion

Click here to apply

 

Lotus flowers bloom in the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens during the summer

NPS / Victoria Stauffenberg

 

Wedding Permits

Want to get married in a National Park? National Capital Parks — East offers some of the most beautiful settings in the DMV and include such places as historic forts, forests, riverfronts and an aquatic garden. Special conditions apply for each unique location. For example, some areas can only have small wedding parties whereas others can support a larger venue.

• Include all details for your intended event. Our friendly NPS staff will work with you.
• For weddings at Greenbelt Park, you may apply using either the general NACE permit application or the Greenbelt Park-specific application.

Click here for a wedding permit application

 

A National Park Service intern takes photos of the 2024 Lotus and Water Lily Festival

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

 

Filming and Photography in Parks

In most cases, permits and fees are not required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that involves eight or fewer individuals.

To avoid permit and fee requirements, the filming, still photography, or audio recording must meet all of the following conditions:

• Occurs in areas open to the public

• Uses hand-carried equipment only

• Does not require exclusive use of a site

• Does not adversely impact park resources, values, or other visitors

• Is not likely to result in additional administrative costs for the NPS

Permits and fees are never required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that is part of an authorized activity, such as a wedding, sporting event, demonstration, or other permitted activities.

All types of filming, still photography, and audio recording are treated the same under the law. This includes commercial, non-commercial, student projects, media work, or news gathering.

When a Permit Is Required

If a permit is required, the NPS will charge location fees and fees to cover the costs of administering the permit, including application fees.

Important Regulations

Individuals and groups conducting filming, still photography, or audio recording must follow all other laws and regulations applicable to visitors in park areas. This includes obtaining permits for certain activities (like special events or demonstrations) and following rules against disturbing natural or cultural resources.

Please note that entrance and/or recreation fees may apply in park areas, even if a permit is not required.

Find more information about filming, still photography, or audio recording.

 

Campground at Greenbelt Park

NPS

 

Camping

Greenbelt Park is the only area where camping is allowed in the National Capital Parks ― East portfolio. Located just inside the Capital Beltway and only 12 miles from downtown Washington, D.C., this park is a scenic oasis perfect for:

• First-Time Campers: Ideal for those new to camping

• Budget-Friendly Visits: A great option for visitors to the D.C. metro area

Activities Include:

• Hiking trails

• Summer campfire programs

• Ranger-led walks

Each camping pad comes with a fire circle and access to showers and bathrooms.

Convenient Access: Not keen on driving into D.C.? No problem! The Greenbelt Metro station (on the Green Line) is just a few miles away.

Learn more about camping in Greenbelt Park!

 

Contact Us

Have questions? Contact the National Capital Parks — East, Permits Team by phone at 771-208-1453.

 

Fort Dupont Summer Event Series

NPS / Lucas Cruz

 

Special Event Permits

Special events require a different permit issued by the National Mall and Memorial Parks, Permits Management Program

Special events include sports events, pageants, celebrations, historical reenactments, regattas, entertainments, exhibitions, parades, fairs, festivals, and similar events; are engaged in by one or more persons; and have the intent or propensity to draw a crowd of onlookers.

Visit Demonstration & Special Event Permits for more information.

Have questions? Contact the National Mall and Memorial Parks, Permits Management Program