Picnic Shelter Rentals

Durham's parks and facilities serve as great sites for your next event, family gathering or concert. Many Durham parks offer picnic shelters on a first come, first serve basis. By making reservations, you are assured of having the picnic shelter of your choice. View our Reservation Procedures (PDF) document for complete details.

Rent a Picnic Shelter

How do I reserve a picnic shelter?

Picnic shelter reservations are now being accepted for September 21-October 31, 2020. Anyone using the picnic shelters is required to comply with local and state restrictions including mass gathering size.

Picnic shelters can be reserved online by visiting our online registration site.

Permits must be purchased by Tuesday at 5 p.m. for the remainder of the work week and weekend.

Picnic Shelter Season

Picnic shelter season runs from April 1 through October 31. The calendar opens on January 1. During the off season, shelters are available for use on a first-come, first-serve basis.

DaySizeCity ResidentNon-City Resident
Monday - ThursdaySmall$30$45
Monday - ThursdayMedium$50$65
Monday - ThursdayLarge$80$95
Friday - Sunday & HolidaysSmall$55$70
Friday - Sunday & HolidaysMedium$75$90
Friday - Sunday & HolidaysLarge$105$120


Picnic Shelter Locations

ParkLocationRegionSize
American Village Park4703 American DriveWest CentralSmall
Burton Park1100 Sima AvenueSoutheastSmall
C.M. Herndon Park511 Scott King RoadSoutheastSmall
C.R. Wood Park417 Commonwealth AvenueSoutheastSmall
Campus Hills Park2000 S Alston AvenueSoutheastSmall
Cook Road Park602 Cook RoadSouthwestMedium
Crest Street Park2503 Crest StreetWest CentralSmall
Duke Park106 W Knox StreetWest CentralSmall
East Durham Park2500 E Main StreetEastSmall
East End Park1200 N Alston AvenueEastSmall
Edgemont Park205 S Elm StreetEastSmall
Elmira Avenue Park540 Elmira AvenueSoutheastSmall
Forest Hills Park1639 University DriveSouthwestLarge*
Garrett Road Park6815 Garrett RoadSouthwestSmall
Hillside Park1301 S Roxboro StreetSouthwestSmall* and Large*
Holt School Road Park4102 Holt School RoadNorthSmall
Lakeview Park3500 Dearborn DriveNorthSmall
Long Meadow Park917 Liberty StreetEastSmall
Lyon Park1200 W Lakewood AvenueSouthwestSmall
Morreene Road Park1102 Morreene RoadWest CentralSmall
Northgate Park300 W Club BoulevardNorthSmall and Medium*
Old Farm Road Park7 Hedgerow PlazaNorthSmall
Orchard Park1000 S Duke StreetSouthwestSmall
Oval Drive Park2200 W Club BoulevardWest CentralSmall
Piney Wood Park400 E Woodcroft ParkwaySoutheastLarge*
Red Maple Park3320 Hinson DriveNorthSmall
River Forest Park1000 Windermere DriveNorthSmall
Rockwood Park2310 Whitley DriveSouthwestSmall
Sandy Creek Park3510 Sandy Creek RoadWest CentralSmall
Sherwood Park2325 Cheek RoadEastSmall
Solite Park4704 Fayetteville RoadSouthwestMedium
Spruce Pine Park2235 Bahama RoadNorthMedium
Trinity Park410 Watts StreetWest CentralSmall
Twin Lakes Park435 Chandler RoadEastSmall and Large
Unity Village Park200 Matilene StreetSoutheastSmall
Valley Springs Park3805 Valley Springs RoadNorthSmall
Walltown Park1308 W Club BoulevardWest CentralSmall
West Point on the Eno5101 N Roxboro RoadNorthSmall and Medium*
Whippoorwill Park1632 Rowemont DriveNorthMedium
Wilkins Road Park (Lake Michie)2802 Bahama RoadNorthSmall
Wrightwood Park1301 Anderson StreetWest CentralSmall

*Shelters have electrical outlets.

If you need additional assistance making a picnic shelter reservation, please email Reservations, call 919-560-4355, ext. 27202 or visit our Administration Office, 400 Cleveland Street, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Park Rental Rules & Regulations

  1. City Codes Pertaining to Parks (PDF)
  2. Outdoor Facilities Reservations Packet (PDF)
  3. Parks - Usage Rules and Regulations (PDF)