fbpx Skip to the content
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

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