Minneapolis parks offer reservable picnic sites with a variety of amenities throughout the city for family reunions, company picnics, and other outdoor gatherings.

Picnic Season

Permits are required during the season, which runs April 15 – October 15.

  • 9 am-3 pm
  • 4 pm-10 pm*
  • 9 am-10 pm*

*Boom Island reservations between 9 am – 9 pm.

Sites & Rates

Reservable Picnic Sites

Note on electric outlets: These features can support small appliances such as radios, crockpots, coffee makers, etc. They cannot support larger appliances that require a higher amp capacity. Plugging in larger appliances will likely result in tripping the reset and not all outlets have a reset button. Some require resetting the breaker, which is not accessible to the public. MPRB asks customers to please be mindful when utilizing the electrical outlets to avoid inconvenience or interruptions during your event.

Beard’s Plaisance

Main Shelter

  • Capacity: 80
  • Half-Day: $185 plus tax
  • Full-Day: $345 plus tax

Boom Island

  • Park may be accessed from the east, off of 8th Avenue S.E.
  • Timeline: Mid-April through late 2025
  • Construction page: Graco Park
  • Booking times: 9 am-3 pm, 3:30 pm-9 pm, or 9 am-9 pm.
  • Call 612-230-6400 if interested in booking; online booking not available.
  • View Park Information
  • View Shelter Map [PDF]

Shelter A

  • Capacity: 45
  • Half-Day: $140 plus tax
  • Full-Day: $255 plus tax

Shelter B

  • Capacity: 45
  • Half-Day: $140 plus tax
  • Full-Day: $255 plus tax

Shelter C

  • Capacity: 45
  • Half-Day: $140 plus tax
  • Full-Day: $255 plus tax

Columbia Park

Main Shelter

  • Capacity: 125
  • Half-Day: $140 plus tax
  • Full-Day: $255 plus tax

North Mississippi

Beaver Shelter A

  • Capacity: 50
  • Half-Day: $140 plus tax
  • Full-Day: $255 plus tax

Turtle Shelter B

  • Capacity: 50
  • Half-Day: $140 plus tax
  • Full-Day: $255 plus tax

Main Shelter C

  • Capacity: 150
  • Half-Day: $250 plus tax
  • Full-Day: $475 plus tax

Minnehaha Park

Wabun A

  • Capacity: 60
  • Half-Day: $140 plus tax
  • Full-Day: $255 plus tax

Wabun B

  • Capacity: 60
  • Half-Day: $140 plus tax
  • Full-Day: $255 plus tax

Wabun C

  • Capacity: 230
  • Half-Day: $250 plus tax
  • Full-Day: $475 plus tax

Wabun D

  • Capacity: 230
  • Half-Day: $250 plus tax
  • Full-Day: $475 plus tax

Wabun E

  • No roof
  • Capacity: 60
  • Half-Day: $75 plus tax
  • Full-Day: $125 plus tax

Wabun F

  • Capacity: 60
  • Half-Day: $140 plus tax
  • Full-Day: $255 plus tax

Wabun G

  • Capacity: 60
  • Half-Day: $140 plus tax
  • Full-Day: $255 plus tax

Minnehaha Area 2

  • No roof
  • Capacity: 80
  • Half-Day: $75 plus tax
  • Full-Day: $125 plus tax

Xcel Energy Park

Main Shelter

  • Capacity: 50
  • Half-Day: $140 plus tax
  • Full-Day: $255 plus tax

Rates are subject to change. Please call to verify information.

Non-Reservable Picnic Sites

The following open picnic areas are available on a first come, first served basis:

  • Minnehaha picnic area #1
  • Pavilion near Minnehaha Falls
  • Lake Harriet #1 near the bandstand
  • Theodore Wirth near the beach
  • East River Flats

Many neighborhood parks also offer open picnic areas on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Application

Picnic Site Permits

We accept permit applications on a first paid, first served basis.

Returning Customers

Returning customers may reserve the same picnic shelter the next year up to 365 days in advance.

New Customers

New customers may submit a permit application for a picnic shelter beginning 335 days in advance.

Ways to Apply for a Permit:

Option 1: 

  • Online
Apply for a Permit

Note: Tax exempt organizations are required to submit a paper application along with their certificate of exemption form to qualify for the tax exempt rate. Applying online is not available.

Option 2:

Option 3: 

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board 2117 West River Rd N Minneapolis, MN 55411

Option 4:

Option 5: (Note: In-person registration is not available at this time)

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board 2117 West River Rd N Minneapolis, MN 55411

  • Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 am-4:30 pm

Option 6:

  • Call: 612-230-6400
  • Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 am-4:30 pm

We process applications in the order received.

Picnic Guidelines

A completed application must be submitted and appropriate fee must be paid before a site and date will be reserved or a permit issued.

Picnic Policies

  • No fires outside of grills
  • Picnic permit allows for 3.2 beer only; no kegs
  • No amplification allowed in parks
  • No additional equipment can be erected on park land such as tables, tents or canopies
  • One-time date change is allowed with Administrative Fee and 10 or more days’ notice from original booking date
  • No cancellations/refunds*

*Satisfaction Guarantee: A refund may be issued only if, on the day of your picnic, your reserved picnic area was not clean and ready for you.

FAQ

Yes, grills are allowed; we ask that charcoal not be disposed of in garbage cans.

Yes, your dog must be leashed at all times; please pick up after your pet.

Only 3.2% beer in cans (no glass) is permitted with picnic permit. (No open containers, kegs, hard liquors or wine).

Inflatable “bounce houses” are not permitted at Beard’s Plaisance or Columbia Park. Wabun and North Mississippi Regional Parks do allow bounce houses for an additional fee, if reserved as an Exclusive Use. Boom Island and Xcel Field Park do not require an Exclusive Use permit; however, additional fees do apply.

Call 612-230-6400 for Exclusive Use permit details before booking.

Amplified sound is not allowed in picnic areas. Acoustic music is fine.

Yes, all parking is subject to posted payment and restrictions. Parking fees are not included in the price of a picnic permit.

No, picnic permits are not subject to cancellations or refunds. A one-time change can be made for a picnic permit, pending availability. The change must be made at least 10 days prior to the scheduled event. The fee for a change is $80.

All of our reservable sheltered areas have electrical outlets available for use. That being said, the electrical outlets onsite are for only small appliances such as radios, crockpots, coffee makers, etc. They cannot support larger appliances that require a higher amp capacity. Plugging in larger appliances will likely result in tripping the reset. Not all outlets have a reset button and would require the breaker to be reset, which is not available for public use. We ask that you please be mindful when utilizing the electrical outlets to avoid any inconvenience or interruptions during your event.

In the event of an issue that needs staff attention, please call Customer Service (Mon-Fri, 8 am-4:30 pm) at 612-230-6400 or Non-Emergency Park Police at 612-230-6550 during non-customer service open hours.

Your permit will indicate the shelter that you have reserved. Shelters are marked with letters (A, B, C…) to differentiate amongst the shelters. Shelters will be marked as “Reserved” for you and your group with a red sign. Applicant must retain permit on site.

Yes, bathroom buildings are made available during permitted times.

No, these options are only permitted for an Exclusive Use (Wabun, North Mississippi & Boom Island). Additional permitting required.

No, everything must be weighted or tied off.

Yes, parking is subject to posted payment and restrictions. No driving or parking on the grass. All deliveries must be made from the parking lot or curbside.

Customers may use any caterer or bring in their own food.

  • If you are serving food to the public, additional permits and or licenses are required.
  • If you have a private event with a food truck, you can have one food truck as catering (no selling/serving to the public).
  • If you plan on having a food truck for a public event, a food truck permit is required and only allowed at Boom Island, Wabun & North Mississippi; food trucks are not allowed at other sites for public events.

For further details, call 612-230-6400.

No fire sources except for the use of designated grills for culinary purposes will be allowed on-site during any picnic reservation.

Wedding ceremonies are allowed only at approved locations only with a valid wedding ceremony permit.

No, tables cannot be rearranged/moved. Tables are affixed or locked in place.

Yes, lawn chairs are okay to bring.

The site will have a sign the day of your event that says “RESERVED” instead of open. Your name is not posted; you should have your permit with you the day of on a smart device or printed.

See Picnic Site Details PDF below for approximate numbers of tables and electrical outlets. Note that these table and electrical outlet numbers are not guaranteed.

Picnic Site Details – Tables and Outlets [PDF]

Visit the Parks Often?

Get a Park Patron Parking Pass to enjoy worry-free parking at lots throughout the Park System.

Park Board Announcements

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