Picnic tables at Rock Creek Park’s Picnic Area #8

LOCATION
Picnic Area #8 at Rock Creek Park is located on Beach Drive just south of Sherrill Drive. See the Picnic Areas web page for an interactive location map.

PARKING
The picnic area has its own parking lot that can hold around 30 vehicles. It can be reserved for group picnics, but if your group is coming by bus, you must reserve either Picnic Area #1 or #24, as these are the only picnic areas with parking lots that can accommodate buses.

AMENITIES
Picnic Area #8 is on a long strip of land situated along Rock Creek. Tables are spread out randomly across the field, some near the road and some right along the creek. If you are here for a group picnic, be prepared to carry the tables to a central location. There were ten tables when I visited in August 2021.

Picnic tables along Rock Creek at Picnic Area #8

There is a single grill with a bin for hot coals, plus a stone fireplace.

Grill and hot coal bin at Rock Creek Park’s Picnic Area #8

Stone fireplace and Rock Creek Park’s Picnic Area #8

Picnic Area #8 area can accommodate 75 guests. It is not handicap accessible.

Other than a large parking lot and a grill, the reservable Picnic Area #8 is no better than most of the first come, first served picnic areas at Rock Creek Park. There is no covered pavilion and no restroom. If you want to host a picnic, the better choices are Picnic Areas #1, #6, #10, #13, and #24. Stay away from this one and #7 and #9, which are pretty much the same.

NOTE: Table and grill count may vary due to theft, breakage, or the addition of new tables and grills. If you plan on hosting a group picnic, be sure to stop by and check out the facility in advance to make sure it will fit your needs.

RESERVATIONS
If you plan on hosting a group picnic at Rock Creek Park, Picnic Area #8 must be reserved in advance from May 1^st through November 31^st. Reservations can be made for a half day from either 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM or from 3 PM to 7 PM, or for a full day by reserving both time slots. The current fee is $65 per time slot. Reservations can be made online up to one year in advance at www.recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777. Other picnic areas that can be reserved are #1, #6, #7, #9, #10, #13, and #24.

All tables are taken on a first come, first served bases the rest of the year. For complete picnic area rules, see the National Park Service’s official Rules and Regulations web page for Rock Creek Park.

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