The perfect backdrop for your dream photoshoot, Glen Echo Park offers timeless charm and vibrant settings for everything from engagement photos to family portraits to graduation shots and styled sessions. We've even had a few movies filmed here! 

Photo shoots on the historic Dentzel carousel or in the Spanish Ballroom require scheduling with the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture. A location fee of $200/hour will be charged. 

Location Fees & Permits

Thank you for your interest in photography and/or filming at Glen Echo Park. For more information, choose which applies to you below:

1.  If you plan to film or take photographs outside on park grounds only, and you do not wish to have access to the Dentzel carousel or Spanish Ballroom, there is no requirement to schedule the shoot with the Glen Echo Park Partnership and the Partnership will not charge a location fee. If your shoot requires a National Park Service permit (most don't), you may work directly with the NPS permit office to apply for a permit; they will charge a $90 application fee and may charge location fees as well. (The Glen Echo Park Partnership does not issue permits.) See "National Park Service Photography & Filming Permits" below. If you do not require an NPS permit, then you may conduct your shoot in the park any time during operating hours. Enjoy the wonderful backdrop of Glen Echo Park! 

2.  If you would like to film or take photographs inside the Dentzel carousel building or the Spanish Ballroom, you must schedule the shoot with the Glen Echo Park Partnership, and a location fee will be charged by the Partnership. This fee is entirely separate from the NPS permit application fee and any location fees that the NPS might charge. The fee is $200/hour for either location, with a one hour minimum. The Partnership provides staff to open the spaces and monitor the shoot.* Keep in mind that during carousel season (May–September) the carousel is open to the public from 10 a.m.–2 pm. on Wednesday–Friday and 11 a.m.–5 p.m. on weekends; photo and film shoots must take place outside these hours. 

To schedule a photo or film shoot on the carousel or in the Spanish Ballroom, choose from the links below. Photo and film shoots must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance. If you have specific questions, please contact Jenni Cloud at jcloud@glenechopark.org.

SCHEDULE A CAROUSEL SHOOT

 

* Commercial photography/filming is generally not allowed — with the exception of media coverage — when the ballroom or carousel is open to the public. Therefore, non-media photography/filming requests require opening the carousel building or ballroom for a one-time use.

National Park Service Photography & Filming Permits

From the National Park Service website:

Pictures or videos taken by the visiting public documenting their visit do not require a permit. National Mall and Memorial Parks and the other DC area National Park Service parks require a permit for all photography and filming that is not categorized as general visitor use. When in doubt if a permit is needed, contact the Division of Permits Management prior to going to the park to shoot photos or video.

National Mall and Memorial Parks feature some of the nation’s most iconic sites attracting amateur and professional photographers and videographers from around the world. Only still photography requires a permit, the visiting public photographing or recording their visit do not require a permit.

When a permit is required, the National Park Service issues the permit; the Glen Echo Park Partnership does not issue permits. NPS permit applications have a non-refundable application fee of $90. Click here to visit the webpage with information and a link to the PDF form. (You will need Adobe Reader to access the form.)

Directions for submitting the application to the NPS permit office are on the form. (DO NOT submit forms to the Glen Echo Park Partnership. We do not process permit applications.) If you have general questions or would like more information, please contact Franice Sewell at 703-289-2513. Allow at least 5 business days for a permit application to be processed and the permit issued. In addition, the NPS may charge a location fee. You may find more information about NPS photography and filming fees here.