Find a Picnic Shelter

Know Before You Go

• Picnic shelters are generally open from dawn to dusk.
• Shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis unless reserved or otherwise noted. We ask that you respect scheduled rentals or programs and do not occupy the space during their permitted time.
• Restroom availability:
  • Please be aware that not all picnic shelters will have restroom access.
  • Park restrooms available near shelters are generally open during park hours.
  • Restrooms located inside centers are available during the center's normal operating hours, which may vary.
  • Restrooms may not be available due to maintenance or winterization.

Renting a Picnic Shelter

Looking for the perfect outdoor venue? Whether you’re planning a family reunion, a birthday celebration, or a community gathering, our shelters provide the ideal backdrop for a memorable day.

• Everyone is encouraged to visit the shelter in person before booking to ensure the space meets your specific needs.
• All picnic shelters must be rented for a minimum of two (2) hours unless otherwise noted.
• Picnic shelters are located within public parks and are accessible to the general public. While they can be reserved, cleanliness at the time of your rental cannot be guaranteed.
• Electricity and access to water are not guaranteed to be available at most shelters.
• Rental times requested must include both setup and breakdown time.  An additional hourly charge of two times the rental rate will apply for events that extend beyond the reserved time.
• Rental costs are determined by the shelter's capacity, rather than the number of picnic tables available.
• Please check with the specific park location, as individual sites may have unique rules or guidelines.

Request your rental online using RecLink or by reaching out to the facility. 

Take note: Requests will be subject to staff approval. Upon approval, payment will be required to confirm the reservation. Your reservation is not finalized until you receive confirmation of your payment.

Shelter Locations and Amenities

• For a map of all shelters, visit the City of Raleigh's Park Locator and filter amenities by "Picnic Shelter."
• Please note that this list is not exhaustive; additional shelters may be available throughout the Raleigh Parks system.