Picnics

Picnics are ideal for family occasions, corporate picnics, or small community gatherings. Permits are required for exclusive use.  Picnic sites are for private, by invitation gatherings only. Public events such as runs/walks, festivals, fundraising, promotional activities, concerts, and other community events are strictly prohibited. Please consult with the Parks Permit Office Staff for further information to ensure compliance.

Picnic Season:

  • Urban Parks: April 15 – October 15
    Available Park Hours: 5:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. (some exceptions apply, see inventory list)
  • Mountain Parks: May 1 – September 30
    Available Park Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (some exceptions apply, see inventory list)

Do I Need a Permit?

Not all gatherings require a permit. Use of a picnic site without a permit must follow casual park use guidelines:

  • Maximum of 25 attendees in your group
  • Do not interfere with any permits in progress or other casual park users
  • No infrastructure (canopies, tables, chairs, sound systems, decorations, food trucks, etc.) Camp style chairs are allowed
  • No commercial activity, marketing, sales, advertising, etc.
  • No selling or serving alcohol (consumption by person/household only) Beer, wine and champagne only; no glass, no kegs
  • Follow all other park use rules

2025 Picnic Information

2025 picnic reservations will open Wednesday, February 12 at 8:00am.

The 2025 Picnic Site Inventory List will be posted February 3. 

How to Reserve Your Picnic Site

Step 1.1.) Review Site Information

Step 2.2.) Reserve Your Picnic Site

  • Please download, read, and follow these instructions to ensure a successful reservation
  • Picnic permit reservations can be made via DPR’s Online Service Center or in person at the Parks Permit Office; login or create an account to get started
    >> Urban Parks: All reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance, with the EXCEPTION of Ruby Hill picnic sites 2, 3, 4 which require 72 hours notice
    >> Mountain Parks: All reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance

Step 3.3.) Wait for Notification

After your reservation has been submitted and payment made, an email notification will be sent to you indicating your reservation is either:

  • Approved: Please have your permit available to you at all times during your picnic and review park rules and regulations (linked on your permit). Permit cancelations or change requests can be made at any time by contacting the Parks Permit Office. Please reference your permit number (Ex: R12345) when calling or emailing
  • Denied/Canceled: Please contact the Parks Permit Office for more information

     

Questions & Technical Support 

Please be sure to read and follow the instructions on how to reserve a picnic site online(PDF, 1MB). Email park.permits@denvergov.org with further questions. 

Do's & Don'ts

Do Don't
 Use grills 12 inches off the ground Food trucks prohibited
 Use small bluetooth speaker No bands or large sound systems
Have attendees bring their own beer, wine or champagne Alcohol sale or service prohibited; no glass or kegs
 Use up to two 10' x 10' pop-up tents No event infrastructure allowed
 Follow all park rules: Specifically, use trash cans and dumpsters or pack out your trash Inflatables and bounce-houses are strictly prohibited
 Stay within picnic site boundary Don't exceed your picnic site's capacity
 Inquire with Parks Permit Staff if your plans exceed the requirements for a picnic site Affix decor to trees or structures. All signage and decor must be free standing.
 Call 311 to connect with a Park Ranger for day-of issues Let dogs off-leash

Other Picnic Information

General Permit Information

Important Notes:

  • Only one (1) permit is booked per picnic site, per day (some exceptions apply, see inventory list(PDF, 137KB))
  • Picnic sites are for private, by invitation gatherings only. Public events such as runs/walks, festivals, fundraising, promotional activities, concerts, and other community events are strictly prohibited. Find more information about public events or inquire with staff to be directed to the correct permit application
  • Site maps with boundaries can be found by clicking a park’s name on the Picnic Inventory List. Please ensure your picnic’s activities stay within these boundaries
  • If you are in need of an athletic field for sports play/activities in addition to a picnic site, please contact the Parks Permit Office
  • Restroom access is not guaranteed; please do not contact the Parks Permit Office to inquire about status.
    Maintenance requests can be submitted at denvergov.org/pocketgov or by calling 311 City Services (720.913.1311)
  • Failure to obtain the appropriate permit, violation of park use rules, or not remaining within the picnic site boundaries, can result in revocation of the permit and/or a fine

Mountain Park Permit Information

Denver Mountain Parks are outside of city limits. Please review the notes below which are applicable to Mountain Park Picnic Site Permits:

Picnic Season:
May 1 – September 30, 9:00am – 8:00am

Holiday Closures:
Corwina Park, O’Fallon Park, and Lookout Mountain Park are unavailable for permitting on Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day

Fire Bans and Restrictions:
FIRE RESTRICTIONS are in effect. No open fires or charcoal grills are allowed. ONLY GAS GRILLS ARE ALLOWED. Additional fire restrictions (if enacted) would restrict all open flames and use of gas grills. For current fire bans and restrictions in place, visit denvergov.org/mountainparks. 

  • No fires or charcoal grills are allowed
  • No fires are allowed in shelter fireplaces
  • No ground fires are allowed
  • Only gas grills with an on/off switch or shut off are allowed. Gas grills must be placed so that they are at least twelve (12) inches off the ground and not on picnic tables or benches

Parking:

  • Parking is limited at many picnic sites and is only allowed in designated areas, please ensure there is sufficient parking at your picnic site for your group size
  • Surrounding meadows are not to be used as overflow parking

Set-up at Picnic Sites:
Affixing décor or other items to trees or structures is prohibited

Picnic Site Access:
Entry gate lock combinations can be found on your permit. For additional assistance, call the Park Ranger line 303.331.4050

Find more important information on mountain parks picnic sites.(PDF, 135KB)

For mountain park picnic site questions, please contact mountain parks staff at 720-865-0900. 

Cancelation Policy

Permit change requests can be made by contacting the Parks Permit Office. Please reference your permit number (ex: R12345) when calling or emailing.

Contact the Parks Permit Office by phone: 720-913-0700 (press 6 to leave a message) or email: Park.Permits@denvergov.org.

 

 

 

 

 

Online Service Center

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Contact Us

Parks Permit Office

6820 E. 12th Ave
Denver, CO 80220

Office Hours
  • Mon & Fri:
    Available via phone and email
     8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • Tue, Wed, Thurs:
    Open for in-person appointments
    8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Email: park.permits@denvergov.org
Phone: 720-913-0700
(press 6 to leave a message)

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