Picnic Shelter and Table Reservations
We are accepting Picnic Applications for the 2025-2026 picnic season (April 1, 2025 - March 31, 2026)
To enter the 2025 Preseason Picnic Lottery, complete a Picnic Application Form between January 1, 2025 - February 28, 2025.
- Applications received by February 28 will processed beginning March 1st in a random lottery order. All picnic sites are eligible for the Preseason Picnic Lottery.
- Applications received on March 1 or later will be processed in the order they are received, after all applications from the Preseason Lottery have been processed.
- Starting April 1, 2025, Online Self-Service reservations will become available for select locations.
We are still accepting applications for picnic dates March 31, 2025 and earlier.
These will be processed in the order they are received. Please use the Picnic Application Form to book your picnic.
How to reserve a picnic location
Read our Guide to Reserving Your Picnic
From November 1-March 31, all picnics must be reserved using the Picnic Application Form.
Picnic Application Form (English)
Online Self-Service reservations will be available from April 1st through October 31st. Online Self-Service is currently unavailable.
You may choose to download, save and email your application to sprevents@seattle.gov instead. Applications are available in multiple languages:
Picnic Shelters and Tables
Picnic Shelters are some of our most popular amenities.
Please note:
- Shelters may be booked with any number of Outside Tables.
- Outside Tables accommodate 10 people per table.
- The Event Scheduling Office reserves the right to determine the appropriate number of tables outside of the shelter needed for your event. We may add tables to accommodate your expected attendance.
- Payment is due upon confirmation of your reservation. Please review your confirmation before making payment. All payments are non-refundable.
- Below is a comprehensive list of Picnic Shelters. From April 1-October 31, select locations on this list will be available for Online Self-Booking. See the Online Self Booking tab for information.
| Park | Shelter # | Sheltered Seating Tables | Outside Tables Available | Capacity with all Outside Tables | ADA rating |
| Alki Beach (map) | #1 | 0 | 14 | 170 | Partial |
| Benefit (map) no restroom |
#1 | 2 | 2 | 35 | Partial |
| Carkeek (map) | #1 | 0 | 19 | 210 | Partial |
| #2 | 3 | 14 | 190 | No | |
| Dr. Jose Rizal (map) | #1 | 4 | 0 | 75 | Partial |
| Gas Works (map) | #1 | 2 | 5 | 100 | Partial |
| #2 | 4 | 4 | 100 | Partial | |
| Genesee (map) | #1 | 5 | 0 | 100 | Partial |
| Georgetown (map) | #1 | 3 | 0 | 50 | Partial |
| Golden Gardens (map) | #1 | 0 | 9 | 110 | No |
| #2 | 0 | 8 | 140 | No | |
| #1 | 3 | 0 | 50 | Partial | |
| #2 | 3 | 0 | 50 | Partial | |
| #3 | 5 | 0 | 80 | Partial | |
| John C. Little (map) #1 and #2 may be reserved together |
#1 | 2 | 0 | 40 | Partial |
| #2 | 2 | 0 | 40 | Partial | |
| Judkins (map) | #1 | 3 | 11 | 150 | Partial |
| Lincoln - South (map) | #1 | 1 | 22 | 250 | No |
| #2 | 1 | 21 | 250 | No | |
| Lincoln - Waterfront (map) | #3 | 3 | 10 | 130 | Partial |
| #4 | 2 | 3 | 60 | Partial | |
| Lincoln - North (map) | #5 | 4 | 25 | 300 | Partial |
| Madrona (map) | #1 | 0 | 7 | 90 | No |
| Magnolia (map | #1 | 0 | 10 | 100 | No |
| Magnuson, Warren G (map) | #1 | 8 | 0 | 100 | Partial |
| #2 | 3 | 9 | 130 | Partial | |
| #3 | 4 | 0 | 60 | Partial | |
| Maple Leaf (map) | #1 | 4 | 0 | 100 | Partial |
| Meridian (map) | #1 | 8 | 0 | 100 | Partial |
| Ravenna (map) | #1 | 0 | 9 | 140 | No |
| #1 | 2 | 0 | 40 | Partial | |
| #2 | 4 | 0 | 50 | No | |
| #3 | 8 | 18 | 300 | Partial | |
| #4 | 4 | 0 | 50 | No | |
| #5 | 4 | 0 | 50 | No | |
| View Ridge (map) | #1 | 3 | 3 | 50 | Partial |
| Woodland - South (map) | #3 | 1 | 48 | 470 | No |
| Woodland - North (map) | #4 | 1 | 5 | 50 | Partial |
| #6 | 8 | 9 | 200 | No | |
| #7 | 3 | 0 | 30 | No |
Picnic Tables are a lower-cost option to host your event.
Please note:
- The Picnic Application Form is required for all locations from November 1-March 31.
- Online Self-Service reservations are available for select locations between April 1-October 31.
- The Event Scheduling Office reserves the right to determine the number of Picnic Tables needed for your event. We may add tables to accommodate your expected attendance.
- Picnic Table users may provide shade by bringing a canopy of up to 20ft x 20ft. The canopy cannot be secured with stakes. Weights are okay.
- Picnic Tables accommodate 10 people per table.
- Payment is due upon confirmation of your reservation. Please review your confirmation before making payment. Payments are non-refundable.
| Park | Sub-Area | Table #'s | ADA Rating |
| Alki Beach (map) | West End | #1-14 | Partial |
| Be'er Sheva (map) | #1-2 | No | |
| Benefit (map) | #1-2 | No | |
| Carkeek (map) | Play Area & Field (Shelter #2) | #1-14 | No |
| Fire Circle (Shelter #1) | #15-33 | Partial | |
| Piper's Creek | #34-45 | No | |
| Don Armeni Boat Ramp (map) | #1-2 | No | |
| Ferdinand St. Boat Ramp (map) | #1-3 | No | |
| Gas Works (map) | Play Barn | #1-9 | Partial |
| Golden Gardens (map) | Shelter #1 | #1-9 | No |
| Shelter #2 | #10-17 | No | |
| South - built-in barbecue grills | #18-21 | No | |
| Judkins (map) | Shelter #1 / Play Area | #8-11 | Partial |
| Spray Park | #1-7 | Partial | |
| Lincoln - Upper South (map) | Shelter #1 | #1-22 | No |
| Shelter #2 and Fire Pit | #23-43 | No | |
| Lincoln - Waterfront (map) | Far South - closest to parking | #44-46 | Partial |
| Shelter #3 | #47-52 | Partial | |
| Middle | #53-56 | Partial | |
| Shelter #4 - closest to Colman Pool | #57-59 | Partial | |
| Lincoln - North (map) | Wading Pool & Playground (Shelter #5) | #60-84 | Partial |
| Madrona (map) | #1-7 | No | |
| Magnolia (map) | #1-10 | No | |
| Magnuson, Warren G (map) | Swimming Beach, Shelter #2 | #1-2 | Partial |
| Waterfront Promenade | #3-5 | No | |
| Swimming Beach | #6-9 | Partial | |
| Matthews Beach (map) | #1-14 | No | |
| Me-Kwa-Mooks (map) | #1-2 | No | |
| Northacres (map) | West Meadow | #1-4 | No |
| Othello (map) | #1-6 | Partial | |
| Pratt (map) | #1-5 | No | |
| Ravenna (map) | #1-10 | No | |
| Roxhill (map) | Play Area | #1-10 | Partial |
| Seward (map) | Upper Loop (Shelter #3) | #1-18 | Partial |
| View Ridge (map) | Wading Pool | #1-#3 | Partial |
| Westcrest (map) | #1-6 | No | |
| Woodland - South (map) | Shelter #3 | #1-44 | No |
| Woodland - North (map) | Shelter #4 | #46-50 | Partial |
| Shelter #6, Horseshoes, Lawn Bowling | #55-63 | Partial | |
| Tables Only. | #51-54, 69-70 | Partial |
Coming Soon: Online Self-Service Reservation
From April 1-October 31, many locations will become available to book by Online Self-Service for picnics without Professional Catering or Special Equipment. See lists below for Picnic Shelters and Picnic Tables.
Please be aware, the locations on this list are eligible for reservation using the Picnic Application Form between November 1-March 31, including during the Preseason Picnic Lottery. We recommend booking your picnic with the Picnic Application Form as soon as you know you want a picnic.
Picnic Shelters
| Park | Shelter # | Covered Seating Tables | Capacity | ADA rating |
| Benefit | #1 | 2 | 35 | No |
| Dr. Jose Rizal | #1 | 4 | 75 | Partial |
| Genesee | #1 | 5 | 100 | Partial |
| Georgetown | #1 | 3 | 50 | Partial |
|
Jefferson |
#1 | 3 | 50 | Partial |
| #2 | 3 | 50 | Partial | |
| #3 | 5 | 80 | Partial | |
| John C. Little | #1 | 2 | 40 | Partial |
| #2 | 2 | 40 | Partial | |
| Magnolia | #1 | 0 | 100 | No |
| Magnuson | #1 | 8 | 100 | Partial |
| #3 | 4 | 60 | Partial | |
| Maple Leaf | #1 | 4 | 100 | Partial |
| Meridian | #1 | 8 | 100 | Partial |
|
Seward |
#1 | 2 | 40 | Partial |
| #2 | 4 | 50 | No | |
| #4 | 4 | 50 | No | |
| #5 | 4 | 50 | No | |
| Woodland | #7 | 3 | 30 | No |
Picnic Tables
| Park | Reservable Tables | Capacity | ADA Rating |
| Be'er Sheva | 2 | 30 | No |
| Benefit | 2 | 35 | No |
| Don Armeni Boat Ramp | 3 | 30 | No |
| Ferdinand St. Boat Ramp | 3 | 40 | No |
| Magnolia | 10 | 100 | No |
| Me-Kwa-Mooks | 2 | 30 | No |
| Northacres | 4 | 50 | No |
| Othello | 6, in 2 groups | 100 | Partial |
| Pratt | 5 | 60 | No |
| Roxhill | 10 | 100 | Partial |
| Westcrest | 6, in 2 groups | 60 | No |
Picnic Map
Explore the map in a new frame.
Note: Most parks have non-reservable tables that are first come, first serve, in addition to reservable tables.
Picnics - Frequently Asked Questions
Picnic Shelter and Table rates can be found on the Picnic Application Form.
Rates may change annually per the Fees & Charges Schedule adopted by City Council for Seattle Parks & Recreation.
Picnic permits are required for events scheduled at our numbered picnic shelters and tables. Please see our system map for locations available for reservation.
Tables without numbers are non-reservable. Tables without numbers are available on a first-come, first-served basis at no cost. These free tables can be found in most neighborhood parks.
A reservation is a rental of a picnic location (shelter and/or tables) at a specific time. All regular park rules apply during your picnic.
You will be responsible for enforcing your use of the space, so please bring a printed copy of your reservation with you to the park.
Please note: Double bookings of the same amenity cannot occur within our system. A valid picnic permit will have a $0 balance showing.
All amenities included in the reservation will be listed individually. A reservation for a picnic shelter includes the tables inside the shelter. Numbered picnic tables near the shelter are reserved separately from the shelter.
Picnic reservations do NOT include:
- Water,
- Electricity,
- Vehicle access,
- Amplified sound,
- Alcohol,
- Cleanup after the event,
- Exceptions to standard Parks Code.
In other words, a picnic reservation is just a reservation for the space and time (and professional services, if added to the permit).
If you want an event with any of these features, please consider an Indoor Event Rental or a large Outdoor Event permit instead.
You may bring food, decorations and signs, a canopy, and a portable barbecue grill.
- Signs and decorations must be secured with blue carpenter's tape.
- The canopy must be secured with weight, no stakes in ground. Maximum 20 feet by 20 feet.
- The barbecue grill must be placed over flat, level pavement. All burned materials must be extinguished and disposed of.
Please note, barbecues may be prohibited during some phases of a burn ban.
Professional Catering is on-site food preparation and service by a professional partner, and additional requirements apply:
- Catering/Special Equipment Application Form
- Insurance, see Insurance Requirements
- $75.00 fee.
These requirements do not apply if you have professionally-prepared foods delivered and no on-site service.
Reserve as soon as you have a desired date.
Online Self-Booking picnics may be reserved 90 days into the future, until 5 days prior to the event.
For those using a Picnic Application Form, please allow 10 business days to process your application during peak season.
We have 3 time slots:
- AM half-day (8am-2pm),
- PM half-day (3pm-10pm),
- Whole Day (8am-10pm)