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The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

Campfire Ring Rentals

Six sticks with marshmallows hover over a campfire.

Your Rental Includes

  • Wood Logs
  • An empty safety bucket

You Must Provide

  • A starter, matches or a lighter
  • Kindling needed to start the fire
  • Trash bags you must pack out all trash
  • Food the group wishes to enjoy, marshmallows
  • Utensils for your group, such as roasting sticks.

Campfire Guidelines

  • An adult from your group must start the fire.
  • An adult from your group must always watch the lit fire.
  • An adult from your group must extinguish the fire.
  • Flames must be under 2 feet high at all times.
  • The fire must be extinguished with water.
  • You are responsible for filling the safety bucket with water from the center.
  • Safety Bucket must be filled with water and close to the lit ring.
  • Safety Bucket must be returned to the Nature Center at the end of your rental.
  • Balloons and Pinatas are prohibited
  • You are responsible for removing all your trash.

Black Hill Discovery Center

A staff person will be on hand to ensure you can get your fire started and that the fire is properly extinguished.

  • Available 7 days a week
  • Fee is $150 for 3 hours
  • Hours dependent on date
  • Reservations must be made 14 days in advance
  • Rentals are limited to 35 people.
  • Cancellation fee is $50
  • Naturalist campfire program for an additional $60

To Reserve a Campfire Ring at Black Hill Discovery Center


Brookside Nature Center

Brookside Nature Center campfire rentals are currently only available during the nature center’s open hours. Please see the Nature Center website for hours of operation.

The Woodland Amphitheater campfire ring

  • Cost: $175 / 3 hour rental; $60 for each additional hour
  • 75 person capacity
  • Rental family receives two parking permits for the staff parking lot
  • Includes: fuel wood, fire starters, and buckets of water
  • Electricity and matches are not provided for campfires. 
  • For both campfire and pavilion rentals, balloons and pinatas are not allowed. 
  • In addition, users are responsible for removing trash and debris and leaving the area clean.

To Reserve a Campfire Ring at Brookside Nature Center


Locust Grove Nature Center Three Campfire Rings to Choose From

NEA Ring

  • $150 for 3 Hours
  • $50 Cancellation Policy
  • Reservations 14 days in advance
  • Hours dependent on date
  • Seats about 30 people
  • Open and Sunny Area
  • Natural Exploration Area

Oak Grove

  • $150 for 3 Hours
  • Reservations 14 days in advance
  • $50 Cancellation Policy
  • Hours dependent on date
  • Limited to 40 People
  • Shady and Private
  • Top of the Hill
  • Steep Slope Access from Democracy Blvd.
  • Picnic Pavilion Rental can be done in Conjunction

Sycamore Ring

  • $175 for 3 Hours
  • Reservations 14 days in advance
  • $50 Cancellation Policy
  • Hours dependent on date
  • Limited to 60 People
  • Under a 200-year-old Sycamore Tree
  • Comes with 1 Picnic Table
  • Furthest from the Parking Lot
  • Access is by a long staircase or steep gravel trail

Purchase a Permit Locust Grove Campfire Ring

You will need to create an account with ActiveMontgomery to purchase a permit. Once on the site, click Facilities, then Nature Center. Select Campfire Ring in the Facility Class sidebar to narrow the results, then click Search.


Maydale Nature Classroom

A staff person will be on hand to ensure you can get your fire started (with fire starters and kindling) and that the fire is properly extinguished.

  • Fire starters and kindling provided
  • Available 7 days a week
  • Fee is $150 for 3 hours
  • Hours dependent on date
  • Limited to 35 People
  • Comes with 1 folding table
  • Includes trash and recycling receptacles
  • Cancellation fee is $50

Reserve a Maydale Nature Classroom Campfire Ring