Picnic Area #9 at Rock Creek Park in Washington, D. C.

LOCATION
Picnic Area #9 at Rock Creek Park is located on Beach Drive just north of Sherrill Drive. See the Picnic Areas web page for an interactive location map.

PARKING
This picnic area has its own parking lot that can hold two dozen vehicles. If your group is coming by bus, you must reserve either Picnic Area #1 or #24, as these are the only picnic areas that can accommodate buses.

AMENITIES
Picnic Area #9 is a small picnic area that borders Rock Creek. There are ten picnic tables and a grill with a hot coal bin. The tables are spread out around the property, so if you are here for a group picnic, be prepared to carry them to a central location.

Grill and hot coal bin at Rock Creek Park’s Picnic Area #9

The picnic area can accommodate 75 guests. It is not handicap accessible.

Other than a large parking lot and a grill, the reservable Picnic Area #9 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 #8, which are pretty much the same.

Picnic tables are situated near Rock Creek at Picnic Area #9

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.

View of Rock Creek at Rock Creek Park’s Picnic Area #9

RESERVATIONS
If you plan on hosting a group picnic at Rock Creek Park, Picnic Area #9 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 dark, 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, #8, #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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