Permits

A stone chimney at one of the picnic areas in the park.

NPS / Katy Cain

Picnic Grove Reservations

The following picnic groves require reservations for events between April 1 and November 30:
Picnic Grove 1
Picnic Grove 6
Picnic Grove 7
Picnic Grove 8
Picnic Grove 9
Picnic Grove 10
Picnic Grove 13
Picnic Grove 24

Reservations for these sites must be made online at www.recreation.gov or by phone at 1-877-444-6777 (10 am-10 pm ET). Reservations are by the half-day.

A half-day is either 9:30 am-1:30 pm or 3 pm-7 pm (or dusk, whichever comes first).

Keep in mind that groups transported by bus may only reserve Picnic Groves 1 and 24, which are served by wider city streets that can accommodate oversized vehicles.

Review our picnic regulations.

 

Special Park Use Permits

For information on policies for public gathering permits such as Special Events and First Amendment Demonstrations in Rock Creek Park, contact the park Permits Specialist at 703-202-8513.

For permit application forms and submission information, visit the regional permits page.

For information about filming, still photography, and audio recordings, visit the main NPS page for this topic.

All right-of-way permit (ROW) applications must be submitted through the NPS ROW Permit Application Portal. You can also use the portal to submit general ROW inquiries to the park. Visit the NPS Right-of-Way Permit page for more information on the application process.

To inquire about permits for construction, or for using or crossing parkland, contact the Division of Resource Management at Rock Creek Park by calling 202-895-6000.

 

A couple in wedding attire photographed in Georgetown Waterfront Park

NPS / Katy Cain

Weddings

Special use permits are issued for small wedding ceremonies only in four locations in the park:

• Georgetown Waterfront Park

• Old Stone House (garden area only)

• Montrose Park

• Meridian Hill Park

Ceremonies must meet the following criteria:

• Maximum participant limit is 50 people.
• Duration: no longer than two hours.
• Ceremonies can not interfere with other regular park activities or patrons
• Events must occur between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
• Decorations and chairs are not permitted.

To request a wedding permit in Rock Creek Park, email the Special Park Uses Ranger for more information about the Wedding Permit application and $200 wedding permit processing fee, which can be paid online.

Applications must be received at least one month in advance of the requested date to allow sufficient time to process the permit.

 

Sports Field Permits

Reservation are required at sports fields at Rock Creek Tennis Center at 16th Street NW & Kennedy Street NW (four sports fields) and Fort Reno (two sports fields).

Requests for athletic field reservations may be completed online through the DC Department of Parks and Recreation Permits Office.

 

Research Permits

More information is available on our Research Permits website page.

 

Looking for something else?

• 

  Rules and Regulations

  The rules and regulations you need to know to stay safe in Rock Creek Park.

• 

  Pets in the Park

  Want to bring your pet in the park? Follow these rules to make sure you and your pet have a good time!

• 

  Frequently Asked Questions

  Here is a list of some of our most frequently asked questions.