Picnic Shelter Rentals

 

Reservations      Reservation Fees      Policies      Cancellations      Parks with Picnic Shelters 

Are you planning a family gathering, celebration, reunion, or small special event and looking for the perfect spot?  We offer convenient and affordable picnic shelter reservations at many of our beautiful parks and forests across the state.  

Reservations

The picnic shelters listed below are available for reservations online through our campground reservation system, Reserve America or by calling 1-877-668-CAMP (2267) during the following call center hours:  

 

Reservation Fees

• Rental fees are included in the listing of picnic shelters below that can be reserved through Reserve America. Fees vary based on size and amenities.
• There is a $9.00 non-refundable reservation fee that applies to all reservations.  
• A $9.00 fee will also apply to cancellations and reservation changes.  
• Rental fees do not include parking fees, which apply for visitors arriving in out-of-state registered vehicles at locations where indicated below, from April 1 to October 31 each year.  Under the Passport to the Parks program, there are no parking fees for visitors arriving in Connecticut-registered vehicles.  For more information about specific parking fees at each park and how payments are accepted when ticket booths are not open, please visit Parking and Camping Fees - CT State Parks and Forests.

Policies

• Park regulations prohibit amplified sound and music. This includes DJs, PA systems, sound systems, or use of amps or amplified systems within picnic shelter areas.
• Most picnic shelters do not have electricity. Please see the picnic shelter amenities below, which indicates if electricity is available at each location. Guests may not unplug any vending machines or other equipment on site for unauthorized access to electricity at sites where it is not listed as available.  
• Confetti, rice or other scattering materials in or around a picnic shelter is prohibited.
• Inflatable slides and bounce houses are not permitted. Games and activities that may be disruptive to other park users, i.e. the use of water balloons or slip and slides, are not permitted. 
• Some parks often fill to capacity on weekends during the peak season (Memorial Day to Labor Day).  When our parks fill to capacity, additional vehicles (including vehicles of those renting picnic shelters or guests) will not be permitted to enter the park.  Visitors and guests are encouraged to arrive to the park early to ensure entry.  
• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited at Black Rock, Burr Pond, Indian Well, Hopeville Pond, Macedonia Brook and Osbornedale State Parks.    
• Beverages in containers larger than one liter are prohibited.  Kegs of any size are not allowed in the parks and forests.
• No exchange of money may take place on park or forest property, i.e. renters cannot sell any food, beverages or merchandise on site, or charge admission fees on site for their guests.  
• Each picnic shelter has a maximum capacity listed below, which determines the highest allowable number of guests. Please plan your event accordingly.  
• Our picnic shelter reservations are generally for picnicking and cook out activities only.  If there are any questions about the permissibility of other activities, renters must call the park to inquire with the park supervisor prior to the scheduled rental.
• Helium balloons are strongly discouraged, but if used, they must not be released, and must be disposed of properly.
• Renters may use the picnic shelter from 8:00 a.m. to one half-hour before sunset.  All areas must be cleaned, all equipment and belongings removed, and all renters and guests must leave prior to sunset.
• Picnic shelters must be left in clean condition with all garbage placed in the appropriate receptacles.  Failure to dispose of trash properly may result in an infractions violation issued to the person who reserved the picnic shelter.  
• Tents: With advance approval from the park or forest supervisor, a renter 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.  Food and beverages may not be sold on site.

Cancellations

To cancel a reservation, please contact Reserve America at 1-877-668-CAMP (2267).  Cancellations may also be completed online at Reserve America. Park staff are not able to process cancellations.  All cancellations must be requested and processed through Reserve America. 

For cancellations, refund amounts will be determined as follows: 

• Cancellations made 30 days or more prior to the reserved date:  Reserve America will issue a full refund less the $9.00 non-refundable reservation fee and $9.00 cancellation fee
• Cancellations made 6 - 29 days prior to the reserved date:  Reserve America will issue a refund of $145.00 less $9.00 cancellation fee
• Cancellations made within 5 days of the reserved date:  Not eligible for a refund.  No refunds will be issued. 

Parks with Picnic Shelters

The following parks have picnic shelters that may be reserved through Reserve America:  

 All picnic shelters except Wharton Brook State Park are handicapped accessible.

Black Rock State Park
Location:  Watertown
Rental Fee:  $150
Capacity:  80
Shelter Size (feet):  32 x 36'  
Amenities and additional Information:  Picnic shelter located adjacent to paved parking, 8 picnic tables, 4 grills. 150 feet to Restroom, 1200 feet to Beachfront.  Alcohol is prohibited at this park.  
Parking fee for out-of-state registered vehicles:  Weekend/Holiday: $15 / Weekday: $10Burr Pond State Park
Location:  Torrington
Rental Fee:  $220
Capacity:  80
Shelter Size (feet):  50 x 20'  
Amenities and additional Information:  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.  This shelter may be reserved on weekdays only.  Available first-come, first-served on weekends.  Alcohol is prohibited at this park.  
Parking fee for out-of-state registered vehicles:  Weekend/Holiday: $15 / Weekday: $10

Chatfield Hollow State Park
Location:  Killingworth
Rental Fee:  $220
Capacity:  50
Shelter Size (feet):  20 x 30'  
Amenities and additional Information:  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.
Parking fee for out-of-state registered vehicles:  Weekend/Holiday: $15 / Weekday: $10

Day Pond State Park
Location:  Colchester
Rental Fee:  $220
Capacity:  75
Shelter Size (feet):  40 x 90'  
Amenities and additional information:  18 tables available; 2 grills available; no electricity or running water inside pavilion. Restrooms 200 feet from pavilion. Available on weekends only.
Parking fee for out-of-state registered vehicles: No fee.

Dennis Hill State Park
Location: Norfolk
Rental Fee:  $220
Capacity:  150
Shelter Size (feet):  90 x 50'  
Amenities and additional Information:  4 picnic tables, can accommodate a handicap chair. No electricity, no running water. Large fireplace available for use.
Parking fee for out-of-state registered vehicles:  No fee.  

Devil's Hopyard State Park
Location:  East Haddam
Rental Fee:  $150
Capacity:  60
Shelter Size (feet):  40 x 60' 
Amenities and Additional Information: 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. 
Parking fee for out-of-state registered vehicles: No fee.

Dinosaur State Park
Location:  Rocky Hill
Rental Fee:  $150
Capacity: 40
Shelter Size (feet):  28 x 28'  
Amenities and Additional Information:  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/indoor exhibit center.  No electricity, no running water. 
Parking fee for out-of-state registered vehicles:  No fee.  

Hammonasset Beach State Park
Location: Madison

Shelter 1
Rental Fee:  $220
Capacity:  65
Shelter Size (feet):  20 x 60' 
Amenities and additional Information:  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.
Parking fee for out-of-state registered vehicles:  Weekend/Holiday: $22 / Weekday: $15

Shelter 2
Rental Fee:  $220
Capacity:  65
Shelter Size (feet):  20 x 60' 
Amenities and additional Information:   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.
Parking fee for out-of-state registered vehicles:  Weekend/Holiday: $22 / Weekday: $15

Shelter 3
Rental Fee:  $220
Capacity:  65
Shelter Size (feet):  20 x 60' 
Amenities and additional Information:  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.
Parking fee for out-of-state registered vehicles:  Weekend/Holiday: $22 / Weekday: $15

Shelter 4 (Meigs Point Area)
Rental Fee:  $220
Capacity:  65
Shelter Size (feet):  23 x 33' 
Amenities and additional Information:  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.
Parking fee for out-of-state registered vehicles:  Weekend/Holiday: $22 / Weekday: $15

Hopeville Pond State Park
Location:  Griswold
Rental Fee:  $150
Capacity:  60
Shelter Size (feet):  32 x 26'
Amenities and additional Information:  Reservation includes dedicated parking area for 15 cars (fee applies for out-of-state registered vehicles), 8 picnic tables, 3 charcoal grills, 2 horseshoe pits, 1 volleyball net, 1 composting restroom unit 25 feet from pavilion (handicapped accessible), beach area is 2,000 feet from pavilion.  Alcohol is prohibited at this park. 
Parking fee for out-of-state registered vehicles:  Weekend/Holiday: $15 / Weekday: $10

Indian Well State Park
Location:  Shelton
Rental Fee:  $150
Capacity:  100
Shelter Size (feet):  30 x 70'
Amenities and additional Information: 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.  Alcohol is prohibited at this park. 
Parking fee for out-of-state registered vehicles:  Weekend/Holiday: $15 / Weekday: $10

Macedonia Brook State Park
Location:  Kent
Rental Fee:  $220
Capacity:  75
Shelter Size (feet):  25 x 50'
Amenities and additional Information:  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.  Alcohol is prohibited at this park. 
Parking fee for out-of-state registered vehicles:  No fee.

Osbornedale State Park
Location:  Derby
Rental Fee:  $150
Capacity:  75
Shelter Size (feet):  30 x 65'  
Amenities and additional Information:  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. This is an enclosed shelter.  Alcohol is prohibited at this park.  
Parking fee for out-of-state registered vehicles:  No fee.  

Penwood State Park
Location:  Bloomfield
Rental Fee:  $150
Capacity:  60
Shelter Size (feet):  24 x 40'
Amenities and Additional Information:  8 picnic tables and 1 large grill available. No electricity or running water inside pavilion. Pavilion is 500 feet to restroom, and about a half mile walk from the parking lot.
Parking fee for out-of-state registered vehicles: No fee.  

Peoples State Forest
Location:  Barkhamstead
Rental Fee:  $220
Capacity:  100
Shelter Size (feet):  30 x 60'
Amenities and additional Information:  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
Parking fee for out-of-state registered vehicles: Weekend/Holiday: $15 / Weekday: $10

Quaddick State Park
Location:  Thompson
Rental Fee:  $150
Capacity:  50
Shelter Size (feet):  23 x 33'
Amenities and additional Information:  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. 
Parking fee for out-of-state registered vehicles:  Weekend/Holiday: $15 / Weekday: $10

Rocky Neck State Park
Location:  East Lyme
Rental Fee:  $220
Capacity:  80
Shelter Size (feet):  32 x 80'  
Amenities and additional Information: 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).
Parking fee for out-of-state registered vehicles: Weekend/Holiday: $22 / Weekday: $15

Sleeping Giant State Park
Location:  Hamden
Rental Fee: $220
Capacity:  50
Shelter Size (feet):  22 x 60'
Amenities and additional Information:  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.
Parking fee for out-of-state registered vehicles:  Weekend/Holiday: $15 / Weekday: $10

Southford Falls State Park - Closed for renovations
Location:  Southbury
Rental Fee:  $150
Capacity:  50
Shelter Size (feet):  8 sided, 1100 square feet
Amenities and additional Information:  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. 
Parking fee for out-of-state registered vehicles:  No fee.  

Stratton Brook State Park
Location:  Simsbury
Rental Fee:  $150
Capacity:  60
Shelter Size (feet):  24 x 40'  
Amenities and additional Information:  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.
Parking fee for out-of-state registered vehicles:  Weekend/Holiday: $15 / Weekday: $10

Wharton Brook State Park
Location:  Wallingford

Shelter 1
Rental Fee:  $150
Capacity:  36
Shelter Size (feet):  20 x 30  
Amenities and additional Information:  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 handicapped accessible.
Parking fee for out-of-state registered vehicles:  No fee.  

Shelter 2
Rental Fee:  $150
Capacity:  36
Shelter Size (feet):  20 x 30  
Amenities and additional Information:  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 handicapped accessible.
Parking fee for out-of-state registered vehicles:  No fee.

 

Additional information, photos and maps of each park and picnic area can be found at the Reserve America website.  

 

Content last updated August 2023