Picnic Permits

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.

For details on site closures/advisories, fees, capacities, restroom access, and more please view the Picnic Site Inventory List. 

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)

The 2025 Picnic season has ended. Use of a picnic site outside of picnic season 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

Information on 2026 picnic permits will be posted by February 2, 2026.  

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

General Info

Important Notes:

  • Only one (1) permit is booked per picnic site, per day--some exceptions apply: see inventory list(PDF, 136KB)
  • If reserving multiple dates at a picnic site, please contact the Parks Permit Office for approval before making your reservation. Customers are limited to 3 dates per month, per customer.
  • 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.
  • Permanent restrooms will be open 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Portable restrooms will be in place to supplement. Restroom access is not guaranteed. The Parks Permit Office is unable to take calls about restroom availability.
  • 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.

 

Other Picnic Information

Mountain Park Permit Information

Denver’s Mountain Parks are outside of City limits. Please review the notes below which are applicable to all Denver Mountain Park Picnic Site Permits.

Picnic Season:
  • May 1 – September 30
  • 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Holiday Closures

 Lookout Mountain Park and Corwina Park picnic sites are unavailable for permitting on Memorial Day, July 4, and
Labor Day

  • Primitive pit toilets or portable toilets are provided at each location
  • Parking is limited at many sites – please make sure parking at your picnic site works for your group size
  • Surrounding meadows are not maintained as playing fields and cannot be used as overflow parking areas
  • Affixing décor or other items to trees or structures is prohibited
  • Water and electricity are not available at most sites unless specifically noted
  • Access: Entry gate combinations can be found on your permit. Please lock gate upon leaving the facility.
    For additional assistance, call the Park Ranger line 303-331-4050
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 www.denvergov.org/mountainparks

  • No fires or charcoal grills allowed
  • No fires allowed in shelter fireplaces
  • No ground fires allowed
  • Only gas grills with an on/off switch or shut off are allowed. Gas grills must be placed at least twelve (12) inches off the ground and not on picnic tables or benches
Newton Park (Juvenile and Stromberg)
  • Picnic season starts May 8
  • Protect bears by using and securing bear-resistant dumpsters
Red Rocks Park
  • On concert days, the picnic shelter must be vacated by 4:00 p.m. to accommodate event traffic
  • There is limited parking near the shelter. Additional parking in lots below
  • Everyone in your group must stay in the designated permit sited or on designated hiking trails
  • Climbing on rock formations is strictly prohibited off trail use is prohibited

Cancelation Policy

Permit change requests or cancelations can be made at any time and only by calling or emailing the Parks Permit Office – they cannot be made online.

Any changes/transfers to a reservation should be within the current picnic season. Please reference your permit number (ex: R12345) when calling or emailing. 

 

 

 

Online Service Center

Reserve picnics, fields, facilities,  campsites, event spaces, and more!

Get Started

Step-by-Step Picnic Site Reservation Instructions(PDF, 2MB)

Video-- How to Reserve a Picnic Site:

 

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

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