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 at $220.00 per day. 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 Burr Pond Torrington 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 Killingworth 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 Colchester 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. Devil's Hopyard East Haddam 60 40 x 60 10 picnic tables available. 2 grills available just outside pavilion. Restrooms (pit toilets) - 100 feet from pavilion, Water - 150 feet from pavilion. Dinosaur Rocky Hill 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      Shelter 1 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 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 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) 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 Shelton 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.  There is a temporary alcohol ban in effect from 6/12/09 - 9/7/09. Macedonia Brook Kent 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 Derby 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 Bloomfield 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. Available for rentals on weekends only. Peoples Barkhamsted 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 Thompson 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   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 Hamden 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. Southford Falls Southbury 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 Simsbury 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 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 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 Osbornedale State Park.   Beverages in containers larger than one liter are prohibited.  Kegs, etcetera, are not allowed in the parks and forests.

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 January 14, 2010

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