Picnic Site Reservations

We are accepting applications on a first come, first served picnic application process for Jan-March 2023.

Lottery applications for the 2023 picnic season are accepted Tue, Jan 3rd-Feb 28th for picnic requests for April 2023-March 2024 picnic season. Lottery result notifications will begin in early March. 

We will not be accepting applications for shelters or tables at Gas Works Park for the 2023 season. We are pleased to announce we ARE accepting applications once again for all of Woodland Park. Note some of your favorite spots may have changed, look at our new maps.

We have dozens of beautiful parks located in the Seattle area available for picnic reservations. Our sites are perfect for birthday parties and social gatherings of all types and sizes.  Maps of each reservable picnic park can be found below by clicking next to the park name.

In order to reserve successfully, please carefully read the picnic brochure and application for instructions on scheduling, capacity and rules of the parks; then fill out and return the included Picnic Application to the contacts specificed on the application. 

Complete an online application for a Picnic (Do not forward the automatically generated email.)

Make sure to double check before submitting

• Picnic Brochure and Application

If you hire a caterer or bring special equipment, please complete an online form and download the Insurance Requirements.

 Complete an online Catering/Special Equipment Form (rental number required)

• Insurance Requirements
• Read our FAQ

Click on the park name below to see photos and a map of each picnic site. See more pictures of our reservable picnic sites on our Flickr page.

When to Reserve

We begin accepting lottery applications on the first business day in January through the last day of February. We process these in a random order in early March.  Beginning March 1, applications are accepted online and by email, and processed in the order they are received after the lottery applications are processed.  Beginning April 1, we also take applications over the phone.

See our brochure and application for more information about this process.  

Quick Facts

• Alcohol is prohibited in City parks, including all picnic areas.
• We are unable to offer you a refund for any reason once payment is made.  
• Electricity and Water are NOT provided for picnic reservations. 
• Amplified sound is NOT permitted in City of Seattle Parks.
• Parks that are not listed are first-come, first-served. You are welcome to enjoy picnics at any Seattle park. Please note that events with bounce houses, canopies and catering can only be scheduled at one of our listed picnic parks.

Half Day or Full Day Options

• AM Half Day 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. *
• PM Half Day 3:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. *
• Whole Day 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

* For half day pricing please refer the Picnic Brochure. All fees listed in the table below are for an all day shelter rental and do not include the additional cost of tables ($25 all day) that you may be required to rent, depending on your party size. 

Picnic Map

We are not accepting applications for shelters or tables at Gas Works park for the 2023 season. Additionally, Lower Woodland Park's former shelters 1, 2 and 5 are no longer available. Individual tables inside and outside of these shelters are still reservable: Shelter 1 is now limited to table 66 and 67; Shelter 2 is limited to Table 68; and Shelter 5 is limited to Table 69 and 70.

Note: most parks have non-reserved tables that are first come, first serve, in addition to reservable tables.

The following map shows the city-wide locations for picnic sites. Click on a star for more info, or explore the map in a new tab here.