Cosca Regional Park & Clearwater Nature Center: Amenities, Pavilion Rentals and Trail Rules

By Reggie Butler, Broker/Owner, CENTURY 21 Envision · Updated October 18, 2026 · Clinton, MD

If you live in Clinton, or you’re thinking about buying a home in southern Prince George’s County, Cosca Regional Park is one of the area’s best everyday perks. It’s run by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), and much of its land is still forest. Here’s what’s there, what it costs, and the rules to know before you go.

Park highlights at a glance

Amenities at Cosca Regional Park

The lake and boat rentals

 Cosca Lake is the park’s centerpiece. You can fish from the shoreline, and paddle boats are rented from the boathouse during the warmer months. Anyone 16 or older needs a valid Maryland fishing license.

Camping

 The campground has about 25 sites for tents and RVs. Every site has water, a picnic table and a fire ring, and a handful have electric hookups. There’s a shower house and a dump station. Reservations are online only (there’s no on-site check-in), with a limit of six campers and one camping unit per site and a two-week maximum stay. The roads are narrow, so large RVs may have trouble.

Sports and recreation

 The park has outdoor tennis courts and the year-round Cosca Tennis Bubble, a concrete skate park with a bowl, ramps and rails, baseball and softball fields, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits and several playgrounds.

Clearwater Nature Center

Inside the park at 11401 Thrift Road, Clearwater Nature Center is free to visit. Kids love the live animals (reptiles, amphibians, fish and birds), the Fossil Cave, the indoor turtle pond and the outdoor birds-of-prey habitat. Outside there’s a nature playground, a sensory path and a butterfly garden.

• Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 10 m.–5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–4 p.m., closed Monday
• Programs: Animal Encounters, Family Campfires, Twilight Hikes, Wild Reading story times, a Home School Nature Club, Scout badge programs and a Lapidary Club for rock cutting and jewelry making
• Rentals: Auditorium $70/hour (residents) or $91/hour (non-residents). Three-hour birthday packages are $200/$260, or $240/$312 with a

30-minute animal encounter.

Upcoming at Clearwater (fall 2026)

 

• Open Carving Days, Oct 19–30, 11 m.–5 p.m. Free.
• Wild Reading: Nature Storytime, Oct 21, 11 m.–noon. $6 for non-residents, less for residents.
• Family Discovery Hike, Oct 25, 10–11:30 m. $5 for residents, $7 for non-residents.

 

Pavilion and picnic shelter rentals

Booking rules

• Reserve online through a Parks Direct account at com.
• Book at least 72 business hours in
• Pay the rental fee plus a $100 security deposit.
• The renter must be at least 21. Resident rates require proof of Prince George’s or Montgomery County
• Permits run 10 a.m.–7 p.m., seven days a

     No refunds or rescheduling for rain or other weather.

• Not allowed at shelters: amplified sound or bands, moon bounces, dunk tanks, pony rides, generators or propane, electricity hookups and selling merchandise.
• Questions: Park Permits Office, 301-699-

For something smaller, Cosca also offers Posh Picnics: two-hour, styled picnic setups for 4 to 12 guests, from $250 (residents).

Trail rules and tips

Cosca’s trail network is five color-coded loops (red, blue, purple, orange and green), each about 1 to 2 miles, that link together through the forest. Trails are shared by hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders.

• Dogs must be on a leash at all times, and please clean up after
• Stay on marked trails, and yield to horses. Bikers yield to
• Visit during daylight hours unless you’re registered for an evening program like a Twilight
• Carry out your trash. Alcohol is not permitted in the campground or at nature center
• Natural-surface trails get muddy after rain, so wear sturdy

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at Cosca Regional Park?

No general entrance fee is listed, and Clearwater Nature Center is free. You pay for campsites, shelter and pavilion permits, boat rentals and some programs.

How much is the pavilion at Cosca Park?

 $425 for residents and $550 for non-residents, plus a $100 security deposit. It holds up to 250 people.

Are dogs allowed?

 Yes, on a leash, including on the trails and in the campground.

Can I camp overnight?

Yes. There are about 25 sites, reserved online only, with up to six campers per site and a two-week maximum stay.

Sources: M-NCPPC Department of Parks and Recreation (pgparks.com) pages for Louise F. Cosca Regional Park and Clearwater Nature Center, checked October 2026. Campground details come from recent visitor reports. Fees, hours and events can change, so confirm with the park before you visit.