Watkins Nature Center

331 Watkins Park Drive
Kettering, MD

Email: watkinsnaturecenter@pgparks.com

Hours:
· Mon : Closed
· Tue-Sat : 10am-5pm
· Sun : 10am-4pm

A wooden and glass building with an A-frame room is surrounded by trees. Lights can be seen in the exposed-beam ceiling through the windows.

Amenities

Fitness Equipment
Gardens
Meeting Room
Parking Lot
Trail Access

Rentals

Event Buildings & Areas

Reserve an Education Program

Reserve Event Space

Throw a Birthday Party at Watkins

Events & Public Programs
Education Programs
Birthday Party Packages
Event Space Rentals
Visit
Resources

Events & Public Programs

Watkins Nature Center offers nature-based programs for children, families, and adults.

Upcoming Programs

Meet & Make

Join us for a fun-filled day where kids can meet a fascinating nature cente

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Night Hike

Explore Watkins Park after dark with a Naturalist on a night hike, and sear

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Wilderness Survival with a Ranger: Fire Building

Outdo! Outsmart! Outside! Are you a survivor? Start your adventure with a P

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Outdoor Living Skills: Shelter Building

Embark on an immersive journey into the wilderness with our Outdoor Living

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Animal Encounters: Herptology

Dive into the fascinating world of Herpetology! Explore the similarities an

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How To Register

Program Descriptions

Education Programs

Watkins Nature Center provides an array of nature-based programs students of all ages. Our goal is to connect students to their natural world and promote conservation and nature education.

Reservation Form

Program Descriptions

How to Schedule

Advanced registration is required for all group programs. Programs are available Tuesday – Saturday, from 10 am to 4 pm and are typically 45 minutes long. To better serve you and to ensure a quality experience please be advised that your program is only booked when you have received a confirmation email from the nature center. For any questions please contact the Watkins Nature Center.

Group reservations require a minimum of 10 people.
Groups larger than 40 will be scheduled over multiple time slots or days.
Tentative dates must be confirmed within 5 business days. Afterward, unconfirmed dates can be offered to other groups.

To schedule a program:

Complete the Field Trip Application below.
For additional questions email: WatkinsNatureCenter@pgparks.com or call 301-218-6702

Fees

Programs at Watkins Nature Center typically cost $4 for Prince George’s and Montgomery County residents, and $6 for non-county residents.
Away programs hosted at your facility typically cost $6 for Prince George’s and Montgomery County residents and $8 for non-county residents.
We allow 1 free chaperone for every 5 students. Chaperones over the 1:5 ratio will be required to pay the program fee. Teachers are considered chaperones.

Lunch Facilities

The nature center does not have eating facilities. You are welcome to bring your lunches and staff can reserve a picnic shelter for you nearby. Please be mindful that there is no eating or drink allowed inside the nature center.

Cancellation & Change Policy

48 hours notice is required for cancellations or schedule changes. We will be glad to reschedule your program for a later date if possible. In the case of inclement weather or school closures, we will gladly work with you to reschedule.

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Birthday Party Packages

Event Space Rentals

Make a Reservation:

To make a reservation, please complete this form below:

Facility Rental Request Form

The auditorium room and adjacent kitchenette at Watkins Nature Center are available for rental for meetings, workshops/training, bridal showers and baby showers. The auditorium room seats 65 people comfortably with tables and chairs, 90 people with chairs, but no tables. The maximum capacity permitted is 90 people. A retractable wall-mounted projector screen is located at the end of the room and is available for use with all rentals (the renter must provide projection equipment). The room dimension is 32’ x 42’, and it comes equipped with 90 chairs and 14 tables (6’x30″).

The adjacent kitchenette features ample counter space, a double sink, refrigerator/freezer, and microwave (no stove or oven). Renters are permitted to use chafing dishes with canned gel fuel (sternos) in order to keep food warm.

The room is available for rent Tuesday-Saturday from 9 am-4 pm and Sunday from 9 am-3 pm. Room rental is subject to availability and must be reserved at least two weeks prior to the date of the event. Set up and clean-up time must occur within the reserved time frame.

*No children’s activities are permitted in the auditorium room, i.e. parties with food, crafts, etc. All rental activities must be approved by the facility director.

Hourly Rates:

Minimum three hours per rental

Prince George’s & Montgomery County Residents: $90/hr*
Residents of all other jurisdictions: $117/hr
Refundable damage deposit: $150
*Residents are those who reside in Prince George’s County or Montgomery County. Proof of residency is required.

To hold your reservation your security deposit and 1/2 your rental fee is due two weeks after booking. The final payment is due two weeks before your rental. To make a reservation, you must have a PARKS DIRECT account.

Visit

Resources

At Bladensburg Waterfront Park, we offer rental facilities for birthday parties, family reunions, weddings, meeting and more! We also get your equipped with recreational rental gear like kayaks, canoes, and bicycles! For more information, call (301) 779-0371.

Event Space Rentals

Ropewalk Pavilion

The Ropewalk Pavilion is available for daily rentals and has approximately 24 picnic tables with a maximum seated capacity of 150 people. For information or to book the Ropewalk Pavilion, please call 301-779-0371 or come to the park office. Remember to bring a form of ID and payment.

Things to remember:

All renters must have a Parks Direct to complete a rental contract
Large groups or specialized functions (festivals and community events) must have permission, contract, or a reservation to use the pavilion or park
Alcoholic beverages and smoking are not permitted in the park
Grilling may be permitted with a contract and manager approval only
Live bands, performances, and DJs are not permitted without manager and Park Police approval.
Parking next to the pavilion or on the paved promenade area is not permitted
Security deposit and full payment are due at the time of reservation.
All pavilion contracts are for 10 am- 7 pm.
All M-NCPPC park rules apply. Please call for more information.

Fees:

Tier 1: Up to 150 people (pavilion only)
- Resident: $300*
- Non-resident: $390
- Security Deposit: $100
Tier 2: 150-250 people (pavilion and paved grounds)
- Resident: $500*
- Non-resident: $650
- Security Deposit: $150
Tier 3: 250-500 people (pavilion, paved grounds, grass/vendor areas)
- Resident: $1,000*
- Non-resident: $1,300
- Security Deposit: $200
*Residents are those who reside in Prince George’s County or Montgomery County. Proof of residency is required.

Waterfront Studio

The Waterfront Studio is available to rent by the hour for meetings, gatherings, parties, programs, lectures/exhibits, and other elegant functions.

Things to Remember:

Tables and chairs are provided for studio rental
The renter is responsible for set up and clean up of their event
Your paid rental times must include setup and breakdown/clean up
Mini-refrigerator and microwave available
Maintenance supplies are provided
Decorations are permitted; adhesives must not damage the surfaces of walls
Renters are permitted to use chafing dishes with canned gel fuel (sterno) to keep food warm
Includes exclusive use of riverfront patio

Hourly Fee Rates:
Minimum 4-hour rental on Saturdays and Sundays

Resident: $75/hour*
Non-resident: $98/hour
With Ropewalk Pavilion Contract:
- Resident: $50/hour
- Non-resident: $65/hour
Security deposit: $100 (additional fees may apply.) Security deposit is due at time of reservation. Remaining balance due 60 days prior to rental. If rented under 60 days before your event, the full balance will be due at the time of reservation.
*Residents are those who reside in Prince George’s County or Montgomery County. Proof of residency is required.

Kayak, Canoe, Boat Rentals

April through October, 7 days a week (weather dependent), with launch times from 9 am to 2 PM (online)/ 3 PM (walk-up), with equipment return by 4 pm.
Online reservations recommended. Reservations close at 12 noon the day before the rental. Walk-up rentals based on boat availability.

Rental Requirements & Details:

You must be at least 18 years of age to reserve a canoe or kayak.

Single kayakers must be 12 or older.
Persons 17 and under must have an adult (18 or older) with them at all times. Children under 3 not permitted in canoes or kayaks at any time.
Must have a Parks Direct account.
Must have a driver’s license or government-issued identification (with birth date verification).
A Personal Flotation Device (life jacket) is provided to all boaters and must be worn at all times while on the water
Please arrive several minutes prior to your launch time to park, gather your belongings, and prepare for your launch time. Parking is limited.
While staff will be on the dock for needed assistance, we encourage all renters to be able to get in and out of rental boats by themselves or with help from their group.
Additional fees will apply to the following: late returns, lost and/or damaged equipment, or rental agreement violations.

Things to remember:

All renters must have a Parks Direct to complete a rental contract
Large groups or specialized functions (festivals and community events) must have permission, contract, or a reservation to use the pavilion or park
Alcoholic beverages and smoking are not permitted in the park
Grilling may be permitted with a contract and manager approval only
Live bands, performances, and DJs are not permitted without manager and Park Police approval.
Parking next to the pavilion or on the paved promenade area is not permitted
Security deposit and full payment are due at the time of reservation.
All pavilion contracts are for 10 am- 7 pm.
All M-NCPPC park rules apply. Please call for more information.

Canoe & Kayak Rates:

Residents:
- $25/Kayak
- $30/Tandem Kayak or Canoe
Non-residents:
- $33/Kayak
- $39/Tandem Kayak or Canoe

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Watkins Regional Park

exterior of Clearwter Nature Center entrance

Clearwater Nature Center

Exterior view of a beige, postmodernist, semicircular building with a green roof, red columns, and glass doors.

Mount Rainier Nature Center

Prince George’s County’s only urban nature center, the Mount Rainier…

Watkins Nature Center

331 Watkins Park Drive
Kettering, MD

Tel: 301-218-6702

Email: watkinsnaturecenter@pgparks.com

Hours:
· Mon : Closed
· Tue-Sat : 10am-5pm
· Sun : 10am-4pm

Amenities

Rentals

Upcoming Programs

Meet & Make

Night Hike

Wilderness Survival with a Ranger: Fire Building

Outdoor Living Skills: Shelter Building

Animal Encounters: Herptology

How To Register

Program Descriptions

To schedule a program:

Header text

Birthday Party Flyer

About/Features

Accessibility

Stay in Touch

Event Space Rentals

Kayak, Canoe, Boat Rentals

Header text

Old Maryland Farm

Watkins Regional Park

Clearwater Nature Center

Mount Rainier Nature Center

Watkins Nature Center

Tel: 301-218-6702

Email: watkinsnaturecenter@pgparks.com

Hours: · Mon : Closed · Tue-Sat : 10am-5pm · Sun : 10am-4pm

Amenities

Rentals

Upcoming Programs

How To Register

Program Descriptions

To schedule a program:

Header text

About/Features

Accessibility

Stay in Touch

Event Space Rentals

Image title

Image title

Image title

Kayak, Canoe, Boat Rentals

Header text

Old Maryland Farm

Watkins Regional Park

Clearwater Nature Center

Mount Rainier Nature Center

Hours:
· Mon : Closed
· Tue-Sat : 10am-5pm
· Sun : 10am-4pm