Filling in spot in back yard what kind of rocks should i use?

Big box home improvement store will have a limited selection. Google for a local quarry or landscape supply company. Here is one of mine . . .

http://arroyobuildingmaterials.net/drought-tolerant-landscaping-materials/

The soil where we live is very rocky. We just dug holes, picked the rocks out, used a pressure washer over a screen to rinse them, and sorted for size. A lot of work, but free. Of course this only works if you have an area you don't mind digging up. We kept the soil that fell through the screens as rock free fill dirt.

I used 3/4” limestone rock around my wood burning fire pit area. i Bought in bulk from a landscape rock supply store. 3/4” limestone packs down nicely and you can walk on it (with shoes of course).

Lowe’s or Home Depot will have bagged rock by Spring. If you live in a warm climate they probably have it now. if you just want decorative rock, pick larger stones that won’t be easily displaced. If you plan to walk or sit in that area, pick small pebbles or crushed rock. All stones should be sprayed down after you spread it because it contains dust, but crushed stone will continue to be dusty while pebbles won’t. We used landscape stone to build our fire ring. Then we used a thin layer of lava rock inside the ring to make it fire-proof. Finally, we spread a 12-inch ring of tiny river rock on the outside of the fire pit. We contained the outside ring with flexible black edging that you would use to contain a landscaped area. We left our seating area in grass. One hint is to put a fireplace grate (we had an old one) inside the fire pit. It allowed air to circulate under our burning logs. That makes it easier to start your fire and keep it burning well.

We don't have a fire pit, but I have landscaped with rocks many times, so I'll answer that part of your question. First, you have to ask yourself how you will be walking on it. This will ultimately determine what you want. If people are going to be in sandals or barefoot then no sharp edged stones! River rock is about the size of your fist, so you probably won't want that either because it makes chairs and ankles wobble. That said, a building material supply company (they carry all types of stone and gravel) is your best bet. You get to go 'shopping' to choose the size, color and feel of the stone that fits your needs. Someone there can help you determine how much you need, my guestimate is 1 - 2 square yards. Unless you have access to a large vehicle, it will need to be delivered. Be sure to lay down gardening fabric before you spread your stones. It's not exactly easy work but it will look awesome once you're done.

I am constantly picking up pea gravel around my house. We put it in an area like yours and have regreted it daily. It gets into shoes and sticks into the grooves in the soles of tennis shoes.

I recommend putting down gardening fabric, maybe two layers if possible. This should help with keeping weeds out. Other replies have given good suggestions for the rock/pebbles.

Small smooth river rocks & pebbles (about the size of a dime & smaller) and play sand. I'd fill it with sand first, then cover the sand with a tarp & then the rocks & pebbles. The cost of the sand is cheap & is a great filler so you won't havta buy as many rocks plus softer to walk on barefooted. I'd put an accent rock/boulder/larger rock in the corners for accent pieces & the sand & rocks around it. (Don't forget about the """"See More"""" button down below for more pics).

Pebbles or pea gravel would be nice they are also easier to walk on instead of regular rock even though lava rock looks nice too. Don't do white rock it looks tacky and a mess after awhile.

Use crusher fines. It packs down and you can set lawn chairs one it and it is easy to walk on. We have companies that sell landscaping rock. You can get them in lots of colors.

In our area we're lucky enough to have a limestone quarry near by. If you do then crushed limestone otherwise known as base is the way to go. It's what they use under a gravel driveway. It settles and hardens after being rained on a couple of time so that your stones don't constantly move. This base creates a solid base under driveways which keeps your gravel from sinking into the ground after springs rains makes the ground muddy or when the ground under your gravel gets muddy or after hard freezes and thaws. Using it by itself creates a nice solid patio type surface which doesn't need additional gravel on top of it. I would use this around your firepit to protect from sparks possibly causing fire to spread and I'd use either lava rocks (which you can get at any home improvement store in different colors in the spring and summer months) or for a pop of color you could use glass fire rocks but keep in mind if you use them they won't stay pretty very long since ash and burnt wood scraps will soon cover them and who wants to dig all that glass out and wash it just to keep it pretty. They are best used in gas fire pits or bowls. You will have the same problem with your lava rock as well. I think I would just opt to line my fire pit with a bought metal fire pit bowl so it will be easy to remove the ashes and burnt wood from and save the color options for your furniture, cushions, pillows and potted flowers. To address another reviewer who said using crushed limestone will always be dusty. I have to disagree. Once it's been rained on a few times all the dust settles and hardens keeping the smaller size rocks from moving so once packed down they pretty much stay in place unless you plan to dance of kick at them and the rocks are small enough that you can use your patio furniture on it.

I've used small pebbles here and there in the garden - they look good initially, but unless you put something beneath them, to stop them being pushed into the ground etc., they will gradually disappear. They were about 1''-2'' sized pebbles. With time dirt and debris falls onto the pebbles and it is difficult to get the debris out. Never again. I think larger rocks would be the go, and if you are going to have people walking over that area, then put down stepping stones. Good luck.

River rocks