Permits

 
An old stone stove sits at one of the picnic grounds, with yellow leaves of autumn above it.
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 (10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. ET). Reservations are by the half-day.
A half-day is from either 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. or 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. (or dark, 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 202-895-6013 or e-mail.

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

For more information about commercial filming & photography, visit Commercial Filming & Still Photography (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov).

Permits for right-of-way uses, construction, or for using or crossing parkland are obtained from the Division of Resource Management for Rock Creek Park, 202-895-6000.

 
A man and woman in wedding attire hold up a wooden NPS arrow as a photograph is taken of them at Georgetown Waterfront Park in Rock Creek Park.
A couple in wedding attire photographed in Georgetown Waterfront Park

NPS/K. Cain

Weddings

Special use permits are issued for small wedding ceremonies only in four locations in the 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 Park and Recreation Permit Office:
http://dpr.dc.gov/node/496592.

 
 

Research Permits

Visit https://www.nps.gov/rocr/parkmgmt/researchpermits.htm or call 202-895-6000 for further information.

 

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Last updated: December 28, 2022

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

5200 Glover Rd, NW
Washington, DC 20015

Phone:

202 895-6000
Rock Creek Park's main phone line.

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