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)

Do I Need a Permit?

Not all gatherings require a permit. Use of a picnic site without a permit 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

Denver Days Picnics: July 26-August 3

2025 Denver Days: July 26 – August 3

Denver Days is an annual community celebration to encourage neighbors to get to know each other through local gatherings and service projects.

Park permit fees are waived for Denver Days picnics as long as they are free of charge and open to the public. Denver Days picnics must follow all park rules and regulations. 

How to get a Denver Days Picnic permit:

Step 1. Review reservation deadlines

Reservations for Denver Days picnics on a Saturday or Sunday must be made by the prior Friday at noon. Weekday reservations are accepted up to 24 hours before the picnic is to occur during the week, however, requests are not processed on Saturdays or Sundays.

Step 2. Review picnic site inventory & closure list

Find picnic site maps, capacity details, and other details on the Picnic Site Inventory List. 

Step 3. Submit your request

Denver Days picnic reservations are accepted by email (park.permits@denvergov.org), phone (720-913-0700), or in person at the Parks Permit Office.

Step 4. Register your Denver Days picnic

Once your park permit has been approved, you’ll be instructed to register with the Denver Days team. 

Please be prepared to provide the following information:

  • Date of Picnic
  • Park Name & Picnic Site #
  • Name of Picnic (i.e., Neighborhood BBQ)
  • Number of Attendees (please do not exceed the capacity of the picnic site)
  • Organization Name (if applicable)
  • Customer Name, Address, Phone Number & Email Address
  • Picnic Timeline
  • Event Description
Picnic Event Rules

Picnics cannot have large sound systems, bands, food trucks, major infrastructure, alcohol must be BYOB. Beer, wine, champagne only – no glass, no kegs. The picnic event's activities must stay within the boundaries linked on the site maps on the inventory list. 

 

Reserve a Site

Step 1.1.) Review Site Information

  • Review Park Rules
  • Review Picnic Site Inventory List & Maps to ensure you’re reserving a site that meets your needs
  • Check out the Denver Maps tool to see larger park maps and picnic site locations
  • Planning an athletic game (kickball, softball, etc.) during your picnic? Refer to the Picnic Site Inventory List to see which sites have adjacent fields. Picnic sites and athletic fields must be reserved on separate transactions. View Athletic Field reservation instructions. Contact the Parks Permit Office for additional questions.

     

Step 2.2.) Reserve Your Picnic Site

  • Please download, read, and follow these instructions to ensure a successful reservation
  • Picnic permit reservations can be made via DPR’s Online Service Center or in person at the Parks Permit Office; login or create an account to get started
    >> Urban Parks: All reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance, with the EXCEPTION of Ruby Hill picnic sites 2, 3, 4 which require 72 hours notice
    >> Mountain Parks: All reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance

Step 3.3.) Wait for Notification

After your reservation has been submitted and payment made, an email notification will be sent to you indicating your reservation is either:

  • Approved: Please have your permit available to you at all times during your picnic and review park rules and regulations (linked on your permit). Permit cancelations or change requests can be made at any time by contacting the Parks Permit Office. Please reference your permit number (Ex: R12345) when calling or emailing
  • Denied/Canceled: Please contact the Parks Permit Office for more information

     

Questions & Technical Support 

Please be sure to read and follow the instructions on how to reserve a picnic site online(PDF, 2MB). Email park.permits@denvergov.org with further questions. 

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, 138KB)
  • 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.
  • Restroom access is not guaranteed; please do not contact the Parks Permit Office to inquire about status.
  • 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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