Picnic Areas

CONTACT INFORMATION: Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
703-324-8732 TTY 711
12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 105
Fairfax, VA 22035-5500
Morgan Chapin
Picnic Reservation Coordinator

Department Resources

Related Resources

Picnic Reservation Frequently Asked Questions

Picnic Reservations

Thank you for your interest in a Fairfax County Park Authority park for your picnic! We are proud of our parks and are confident that you will enjoy your day. Keep in mind sites are in great demand, so make your reservation early.

To make a reservation, please book online, fill out the web form, or submit an application. Once payment is received, a Sales Receipt (Picnic Permit) will be issued by email.  

  1. Book Online: For immediate permitting of select facilities and timeslots (available for rentals 10 or more days in advance)
    • Note: Special Requests may take additional time for the approval process. For rentals with no additional requests or issues, final permits will be issued 7-10 business days in advance of the reservation date.
  2. Web Form:  Please fill out the web form, this request will be sent directly to the Picnics Department. 
    • Note: Do NOT include payment information – once the form is received and reviewed you will be contacted to confirm availability, to collect payment information, and complete the reservation process.
  3. Download and complete the Picnic Area/Picnic Shelter Application and submit it one of the following ways along with the appropriate payment. 
    • Email: FCPAPicnics@fairfaxcounty.gov
      • Note: Do NOT include payment information – once the application is received and reviewed you will be contacted to confirm availability, to collect payment information, and complete the reservation process.
    • Mail: FCPA Picnic Department – 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 105, Fairfax, VA 22035-5500
      • Note: Do NOT mail cash payments; checks can be made out to “FCPA Picnics."
    • In person: Monday-Friday 9:00 am to 4:0 pm – 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 105, Fairfax, VA 22035-5500  
      • Note: Contact us in advance for updated office hours.
    • Fax: 703-653-6672 
      • Note: Please include payment information on faxed applications.

Web Forms or Applications may take up to 3-5 business days to process. Without a Sales Receipt (Picnic Permit) the reservation request is not confirmed. The Picnic Department does not accept reservations over the phone. The Picnic Department stops accepting applications for the upcoming weekend Thursdays at 4:00 pm.

Notice

Groups are responsible for adhering to all Park Authority policies, rules, and regulations.

For questions during the week, please call the rental information line at 703-324-8732 or email to FCPAPicnics@fairfaxcounty.gov. Messages are responded to throughout the work week and calls are typically returned within 2-3 business days. Please be as detailed as possible for staff to assist you as efficiently as possible. During office hours Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., we accept walk-ins at our office at 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 105, Fairfax, Virginia (please call 703-324-8732 ahead to confirm office hours). Please note, messages or emails left after 4 p.m. on Friday or the last business day of the week will be returned on Monday or the next business day after 9 a.m., excluding holidays. Picnic Department staff are unavailable on weekends or holidays.

We strongly suggest you visit the park before scheduling or before your scheduled event when possible. Parks are open daily from sunrise – sunset. If you plan to visit on a weekend between April and October, please be aware that the facility may be booked. Visiting the park and rental area will help you get an idea of what the facilities look like, which will aid you with event planning. We recommend looking at parking, bathrooms, grills, table (configuration/counts/size), and park amenities such as playgrounds, hiking trails, etc. Each reservable area page includes facility images, amenities, rules, map, etc. (Picnics website – “Choose a Picnic Area” drop down)

Applications for the current calendar year are accepted beginning the first business day after January 1. Many locations are in high demand and are booked early in the year. For the best chance of reserving your chosen date and space, please book online (10 or more days in advance), fill out the web form or submit a picnic application (within 10 days [shown in gray online], for hourly rentals, or rentals where sunset is before 8pm [shown in teal online]). We recommend making a reservation at least 2-4 months in advance of your event date when possible.

UNITS MARKED IN RED ARE NOT AVAILABLE.

The picnic staff will only hold a reservable areas for up to 14 days (or as time allows) with a completed web form or picnic application with the full payment information.

Please note that submission of an application and payment by postal mail can take 7-10 days to reach the office. Once mail has arrived, we will send a confirmation email and process the payment, if the space you have requested is available. We recommend informing staff that you plan to send your application and check or money order via mail. We do not recommend sending cash or credit card numbers via mail.

Reservations are not guaranteed until a sales receipt has been issued.

All reservations are for one-time use. We have a range of rental options depending on the facility type, location, and time of year. Reservations may be available for a full day (9 a.m.-Sunset), half day (9 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. or 3:30 p.m.-Sunset), 2-hour time slots (vary where available) or hourly reservations (typically sunrise to sunset). Rental times or slots listed on our website and reservation page are not negotiable, please refer to our reservable area pages for additional details. All rentals will end by sunset, please note this time does range from 4:30 to 8 p.m. throughout the year. Sunset will be indicated on the sales receipt/picnic permit.

For hourly rentals, be sure to book enough time for set up and break-down. Please be aware that we may have multiple bookings on the same day.

For 2-hour timeslots, you may book multiple timeslots.

  • Non-Prime rates apply Monday through Thursday – Non-Holidays.
  • Prime rates apply Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays. County Holidays

A discount of 10% of the total rental fee will be applied to "long term" rental groups who submit a request for and rent a canopy, picnic area, shelter, amphitheater, or gazebo reservable areas for a minimum of five (5) reservations throughout the calendar year – to be booked at once by web form or picnic application only. The reservations do not need to be at the same park to be eligible for the discount.

This discount is not available through the web reservation – refunds or credits for long term discounts will not be issued for reservations booked online.

The discount is not available for Volleyball Court rentals.

Reservations booked through our online site will be issued a sales receipt immediately after the payment has been processed (usually 10 minutes or less). Additional time may be needed for groups requesting other entertainment, sports bag, volleyball court rentals, Business Activity Licenses, or Park Use – trail or field use. Staff will contact you 7-10 days before your rental date to finalize any special requests.

The process for web forms and picnic applications takes 3-5 business days to issue a permit, if there are no questions or special requests on the application. Once approved, a permit will be sent to the email address designated on the request. Your choice of location, date or time might not be available by the time your application is received. Please plan accordingly by mailing the application early or submitting it by email (without payment) or fax (with payment) or reserving online (at least 10 days in advance). Checks, cash, or money orders must be received by staff before a sales receipt/picnic permit is issued.

Reservations cannot be booked over the phone.

Sports bags are available for rent at Burke Lake, Lake Accotink and Lake Fairfax. Depending on the location, the bag may include sporting equipment such as a soccer ball, bocce ball set, and volleyball. The rental fee is $25 per bag for full day use. Please call 703-324-8732 to add this to your rental. Sports Bags cannot be paid for on the day of your reservation or on site.

Special permission is required for a moon bounce at your event; some parks do not allow these features. See reservable areas pages to review approved locations – indicated "Inflatable may be permitted at this site.". Submit your request on the web form or picnic application along with the non-refundable $25 permit fee per moon bounce/inflatable or by checking the box below "PS- Special Use Permit: Moon Bounce $25" on the Reservation Details page during the online booking process. 

You must have a reservable area reservation and permission to have a moon bounce or during your event at any Fairfax County Park Authority Site.

Power and Equipment are not provided by the Park Authority. Equipment rentals will need to be contracted independently. Generators will need to be less than 6,000 watts. Please be prepared to move any equipment from the parking lot to your reservable area, vehicles are not allowed in the grass or on sidewalks. 

Special permission is required for amplified sound at your event; some parks do not allow these features. See reservable areas pages to review approved locations – indicated “Amplified Sound may be permitted at this site.” Submit your request on your web form or picnic application along with the non-refundable $25 permit fee or by checking the box below “PS-Special Use Permit: Amplified Sound $25” on the Reservation Details page during the online booking process.

You must have a reservation and permission to have amplified sound during your event at any Fairfax County Park Authority Site.

Power and Equipment are not provided by the Park Authority. Equipment rentals will need to be contracted independently. Please be prepared to move equipment from the parking lot to your rental area.

DJ's, LIVE BANDS, AND KARAOKE MACHINES ARE NOT ALLOWED AT ANY FAIRFAX COUNTY PARK AUTHORITY SITE.

A Special Use Permit is required for attractions such as face painter, balloon artist, magician, moon bounces, carnival rides, laser tag, petting zoo, pony rides or game trucks; some parks do not allow these features. Please note each special request item on your web form or picnic application, include your $25 payment for each additional feature. We will contact you if your request is granted or denied by the park management. If your request is denied, you will not be charged the fee.

Equipment and Entertainment rentals will need to be contracted independently.

If you have requested Other Entertainment through the online reservation process, staff will contact you at least 7-10 business days in advance of your reservation date to confirm your special request and collect payment, if approved.

You must apply for a Business Activity License if you would like to hold any activity that uses Park Authority Property for the purpose of generating revenue through any means or for an activity, including, but not limited to: selling items, collecting fees for an event, requesting/soliciting donations and holding classes or camps. If you are planning on having a race, please submit a race route with your application.

A financial statement will be provided with your permit and must be completed and returned to the Park Authority with the balance due one month after your event (or monthly for long term usage).

All vendors are responsible for collecting and paying applicable state sales tax and applying for other required permits with the county or state.

PARK USE APPLICATION Additional fees may apply.

Alcohol may be permitted in designated rental areas with prior approval only; some parks do not allow this feature. The use of alcohol in Fairfax County parks without appropriate permits and approved agreements is AGAINST the law. For more information and application please visit the Alcohol FAQ webpage. Submit the Alcohol Beverage Use application to FCPAPicnics@fairfaxcounty.gov.

We suggest providing specific directions to your picnic guests, there are maps available at the bottom of each of our reservable area pages. Also, you may post directional signs on park property (stand-alone signs are best; we do not allow anything to be tacked, nailed, or stapled to park signs, trees, shelters, gazebos, canopies, and amphitheaters). Please remove your signs before you leave for the day.

Check our website for specific park amenities. Prepare for your event by bringing your own athletic equipment. Select parks have activities and amenities that can be booked in advance of your arrival, please visit Parktakes and search by location and event date.

Acoustic music, and small bluetooth speakers are allowed; however, the sound should not affect other park guests. The maximum amplification allowed is 70 decibels or as loud as a normal conversation at 3-5 feet. DJs and karaoke machines are not allowed. Certain sites do not permit amplified sound or music, please refer to our website.

Electricity may be available and turned on but does require park and picnic staff approval. Electricity may be requested at the time of making your reservation; some parks do not have this feature. Some of our sites have electricity. Know what is in your area before arrival and plan accordingly. To double check if your shelter has electricity refer to our website.

Catering is allowed and should be contracted independently. We do not provide catering services or recommend specific catering companies or food truck vendors.

Special permission is required for a food truck at your event; some parks do not allow these features. See reservable areas pages to review approved locations – indicated "Food Truck may be permitted at this site." Submit your request on your web form or picnic application along with the non-refundable $50 permit fee or by checking the box below "PS-Special Use Permit: Private Food Vendor $50" on the Reservation Details page during the online booking process.

This permission is for a vendor that is not selling to the public and is reserved for your group's use.  For applications, we will contact you if your request is granted or denied by the park management. If approved, this is a nonrefundable fee. If your request is denied, you will not be charged the fee.

You must have a reservation and permission to have a food truck during your event at any Fairfax County Park Authority Site.

Power and Equipment are not provided by the Park Authority. Food Truck Vendors will need to be contracted independently. All vehicles must remain in the parking lot.

Parking is not guaranteed close to your location. Vehicles must park in designated paved and gravel areas only. Parking on the grass is prohibited.

At Burke Lake Park non-county residents’ vehicles are subject to a park entrance fee on weekends and holidays from April-October. Groups hosting events at Burke Lake Park may pay the gate fee for their non-county resident guests by downloading the Gate Pre-Payment Form and following directions at the top of the form. Please contact Burke Lake Park at 703-323-6600 if you have additional questions.

  • Cancellations/Changes requested more than 14 days before the event will incur a $25 processing fee.
  • Changes to the reservation are not allowed within 14 days of the event.
  • Cancellations requested within 14 days of the event are not eligible for a refund.
  • Additional permits will only incur the cost of the permit.

Please keep in mind, field space is often limited or has already been reserved by an established group (such as youth soccer or adult softball, etc.). Athletic fields may be reserved only for the sport for which they were designed.

PARK USE APPLICTION

  • Additional fees may apply.

Our parks are open from sunrise to sunset (the area must be cleaned and vacated by the permitted rental time out). You do not need to check in and out with onsite staff for your event.

Full Day, Half Day -AM, 9 a.m., 9:30 a.m. or Half Day -PM rentals: Please do not arrive/set up more than 30-45 minutes in advance of the check-in time listed on your permit.

Please note that facilities with multiple timeslots per day the set up or clean up window may be as little as 10-15 minutes.

All rentals will end by sunset, please note this time does range from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. throughout the year.

If there is an emergency, please contact 911 or Fairfax County Police at their non-emergency phone number: 703-691-2131. Please come prepared for the weather as these are outdoor facilities. We recommend bringing a first aid kit, staying hydrated, wearing hats, wearing sun block, and bringing chilled water. We do not allow groups to use space heaters or fire pits in or around our reservable areas.

If your amphitheater, canopy, gazebo, picnic area, or volleyball court reservation is impacted by inclement weather, you have 48 hours after the start time of your event to email FCPAPicnics@fairfaxcounty.gov to request a refund.

Picnic shelter reservations are not refundable due to inclement weather, such as rain or sprinkling. If your shelter reservation is impacted by severe inclement weather and you are unable to use the rental area, you have 48 hours after the start time of your event to email FCPAPicnics@fairfaxcounty.gov to request a refund.

Full or partial refunds/credits are not guaranteed. Refund requests will not be accepted after the 48-hour period.

Parking in all parks is first come, first serve (no reserved parking). We suggest arriving early to get the closest parking spots. Park in designated parking areas or lots.

The group representative must have a copy of the sales receipt/picnic permit in hand on the day of the event. Show anyone using your reserved space your permit and ask them to vacate the area. If the park is staffed, you may contact the staff for further assistance. At parks that are not staffed, you may contact the Fairfax County Police at their non-emergency phone number: 703-691-2131.

Park staff maintain picnic areas a couple of times a week. There is no guarantee that your area will be cleaned before your event. Prepare for dust on the tables, spider webs in the corners or other critters and minimal ground trash (cigarette butts, small pieces of paper, etc.). We recommend bringing a broom and trash bags; tablecloths and other decorations will go a long way in dressing up the area. Most reservable areas have seasonal bathroom facilities (if not bathroom facilities, select areas will have portable restrooms). You will find grills in some of these areas. If grilling is permitted at the site, we allow customers to bring in one additional grill (charcoal or propane). Grills must be kept at a safe distance of at least 20 feet from all structures, picnic tables and trees.

The use of tape, glue, nails, tacks, screws, staples, paint, chalk, or other fasteners that may scratch or otherwise damage surfaces of picnic shelters or tables, trees, sidewalks, or other surfaces are prohibited.

Gender Reveals, Memorial Services, Birthday Parties, Special Events, etc. are allowed in the parks as long as they do not contain the following or similar elements: animal releases, sky/floating lanterns, projectiles, arrows, darts, slingshots, rockets, balloons releases/popping, water balloons, confetti, glitter, powder cannon, loose powder dyes, pinatas, paint, silly string, smoke bombs, incendiary devices, fireworks, open flames, bonfires, fire pits/rings, outdoor propane heaters, etc.

Balloons of any kind are prohibited at Burke Lake, Colvin Run Mill, Frying Pan Farm Park, Huntley Meadows, Lake Accotink, Lake Fairfax, Riverbend, and Sully Historic Site.

A Damage or Clean-Up fee may be collected if the reservable site is damaged or left unclean. 

We suggest bringing volunteers to assist. Also, bring a hand truck, wheelbarrow, cart, etc. to transport food and drinks from the parking areas to the picnic area. Often there is no opportunity to drive up to the picnic area or shelter for unloading. Park Authority staff are not available for any event set up.

We do not recommend leaving decorations, food, or any equipment on site without supervision.

All vendor provided equipment must be dropped off and picked up on the same day.

Pets are allowed in the park but must be kept on a leash.

Please take the time to pick up and bag all the trash (bring extra bags). All trash is to be bagged and placed in the nearest trash dumpster or can. The releasing of balloons is not allowed. Decorative balloons must be deflated and disposed of as trash. A Damage or Clean-Up fee may be collected if the reservable site is damaged or left unclean. The facility should be left better than you found it when possible.

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