Rental of Open Air
Picnic Shelters
Availability | Parks with Open Air Shelters | Policies
Availability
Picnic shelters at many state parks are available for rental Memorial Day through Columbus Day. Reservations can be arranged through the on-line campground reservation system, Reserve America, or by calling 1-877-668-CAMP (2267).
- All picnic shelters are available to rent.
- There is a $9.00 fee for making a reservation.
- Rental fee does not include parking charges for the facility.
Parks with Open Air Shelters
The following parks have open air shelters and may be reserved.
All picnic shelters except Wharton Brook State Park are handicapped accessible.
| Park and Location | Capacity | Shelter Size (feet) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Black Rock Rental Fee: $150.00 |
80 | 32x36 | Adjacent to paved parking, 8 Picnic Tables, 4 grills, 150 feet to Restroom, 1200 feet to Beachfront |
|
Burr Pond Rental Fee: $220.00 |
80 | 50 x 20 | 10 picnic tables and 2 grills available. Restrooms 350 feet from pavilion; large parking lot located 700 feet from pavilion; beach/swimming are 150 feet from pavilion |
|
Chatfield Hollow Rental Fee: $220.00 |
50 | 20 x 30 | 6 picnic tables, 2 standing grills, and fire ring available outside the pavilion. From pavilion it is 1000 feet to beach, 75 feet to restrooms. Pavilion is 300 feet from the parking area. |
|
Day Pond Rental Fee: $220.00 |
75 | 40 x 90 | 18 tables available; 2 grills available; no electricity or running water inside pavilion. Restrooms 200 feet from pavilion. Available on weekends only. |
| Dennis Hill
Norfolk Rental Fee: $220.00 |
90 x 50 | 4 picnic tables, can accomodate a handicap chair. No electricity, no running water. Large fireplace available for use. |
|
| Devil's Hopyard East Haddam Rental Fee: $150.00 |
60 |
40 x 60 | 10 picnic tables available. 2 grills available just outside pavilion. Restrooms (pit toilets) - 100 feet from pavilion, Non-potable Water - 150 feet from pavilion. Drinking water must be brought in. On-site water is unsafe for drinking. |
|
Dinosaur Rental Fee: $150.00 |
40 | 28 x 28 | Octagon shaped, 4 large picnic tables located next to Exhibit center. Handicapped accessible restrooms are available in the exhibit center. Pavilion rental does not include admission to the museum. No electricity, no running water. |
| Hammonasset Beach Madison |
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|
Shelter 1 Rental Fee: $220.00 |
65 |
20 x 60 |
12 picnic tables and 2 pedestal grills available. 500 feet to restrooms. Concession stand and beach are 100 feet from pavilion. No electricity, no running water. |
|
Shelter 2 Rental Fee: $220.00 |
65 | 20 x 60 | 12 picnic tables and 2 pedestal grills available. 500 feet to restrooms. Concession stand is 1000 feet from pavilion. Beach is 500 feet from pavilion. No electricity, no running water. |
|
Shelter 3 Rental Fee: $220.00 |
65 | 20 x 60 | 12 picnic tables and 2 pedestal grills available. 500 feet to restrooms. Concession stand is 1000 feet from pavilion. Beach is 500 feet from pavilion. No electricity, no running water. |
| Shelter 4
(Meigs Point Area) Rental Fee: $220.00 |
65 | 23 x 33 | 12 picnic tables and 2 pedestal grills available. 300 feet to restrooms. Concession stand and beach are 1500 feet from pavilion. Parking is 400 feet from pavilion. No electricity, no running water. |
|
Indian Well Rental Fee: $150.00 |
100 | 30 x 70 | 10 picnic tables, working fireplace in the pavilion and 2 large grills in area. Parking lot 150 feet, restrooms 250 feet and beach/swimming 300 feet from pavilion. |
|
Macedonia Brook Rental Fee: $220.00 |
75 | 25 x 50 | 6 extra long picnic tables available. Group cooking grill located outside the pavilion. Parking 40 feet from pavilion. Restrooms 45 feet from pavilion. There is electricity and running water in pavilion. Partially enclosed shelter. Contains a workable fireplace. |
|
Osbornedale Rental Fee: $150.00 |
75 | 30 x 65 | 8 picnic tables are available. Stone fireplace available inside pavilion. Grills are not available. Restroom is 100 feet from pavilion. Parking 40 feet from pavilion. Electricity is available upon request; no running water in pavilion. Alcohol is not permitted anywhere in the park. |
|
Penwood Rental Fee: $150.00 |
60 | 24 x 40 | 8 picnic tables and 1 large grill available. No electricity or running water inside pavilion. Pavilion is 500 feet to restroom, 100 feet from parking lot. |
|
Peoples Rental Fee: $220.00 |
100 | 30 x 60 | 10 picnic tables, one large grill, and working fireplace available. Pavilion is 150 feet from restrooms and 150 feet from parking lot. Partially open air shelter - no electricity or running water |
|
Quaddick Rental Fee: $150.00 |
50 | 23 x 33 | 6 picnic tables and 2 grills available. No electricity or running water. 500 feet from restrooms; 650 feet from beach/swimming; parking directly outside pavilion. |
|
Rocky Neck East Lyme Rental Fee: $220.00 |
80 | 32 x 80 | Available for rent from 8 am to sunset, contains 10 picnic tables, 1 large group cooking grill. Restrooms 40 feet from shelter; parking lot 20 feet from shelter; beach and swimming 500 feet away. No electricity or running water. Pets are prohibited in the picnic shelter, campground and on the beach (south of the railroad tracks). |
|
Sleeping Giant Rental Fee: $220.00 |
50 | 22 x 60 | 8 picnic tables and 2 grills available. 2 working fireplaces inside pavilion. Pavilion is 300 feet from restrooms and 300 feet from parking. No electricity or running water inside pavilion. Pavilion is partially enclosed with a stone wall. |
|
Southbury Rental Fee: $150.00 |
50 |
Eight Sided, 1100 sq ft. |
6 picnic tables, 2 built in benches on walls. 2 stainless pedestal grills. Adjacent Clivus restroom. Pavilion has electricity. No vehicle access, 400 feet from parking lot. |
|
Stratton Brook Rental Fee: $150.00 |
60 |
24 x 40 | 8 picnic tables and 2 grills available. No electricity or running water inside the pavilion. 500 feet from restroom; 250 feet from parking lot; 150 feet from beach/swimming area. |
| Wharton Brook Wallingford |
|||
|
Shelter 1 Rental Fee: $150.00 |
36 | 20 x 30 | No electricity or running water in pavilion. 6 picnic tables and 2 grills available. 350 feet to restrooms; 425 feet to parking lot; 40 feet to potable water. This shelter is not handicap accessible. |
|
Shelter 2 Rental Fee: $150.00 |
36 | 20 x 30 | No electricity or running water in pavilion. 6 picnic tables and 2 grills available. 525 feet to restrooms; 300 feet to parking lot; 30 feet to potable water. This shelter is not handicap accessible. |
Additional information and maps of each park and picnic area can be found at the Reserve America website.
Policies
Tents
- With advance approval from the park or forest supervisor, a renter or caterer may install a tent, with dimensions no greater than 400 square feet, adjacent to the picnic shelter.
Cooking Equipment
- Food cookers or warmers that may be used at a picnic shelter include: sterno fueled warmers, propane or electric stoves, outdoor gas or charcoal grills, or grills provided by the park or forest.
Miscellaneous
- Confetti, rice, or other scattering materials in or around a picnic shelter is prohibited.
- Alcoholic beverages may be brought to all of the picnic shelters listed except for Burr Pond, Indian Well and Osbornedale State Parks.
- Beverages in containers larger than one liter are prohibited. Kegs, etcetera, are not allowed in the parks and forests.
- Helium balloons are strongly discouraged, but if used, they must not be released, and must be disposed of properly.
Cancellations
To make a cancellation, contact Reserve America at 1-877-668-CAMP (2267).
- Cancellations made thirty days or more prior to the event will be entitled to a full refund minus a $9.00 cancellations fee.
- Cancellations made six to twenty-nine days prior to the event will entitle the renter to a refund of $145.00 minus a $9.00 cancellation fee.
- Cancellations made within five days of the event will not be eligible for a refund.
Content last updated April 2018