Fairfax County Park Authority reservable sites are perfect for a wide range of activities, from sports to social events, offering versatile spaces to make your next gathering or event a success.

Here are descriptions for each type of facility:

Shelter

Our Shelters offer a versatile space for hosting gatherings, picnics, family reunions and outdoor events. These covered, outdoor structures provide a comfortable setting with seating, picnic tables and protection from sun and rain. Perfect for group activities, parties or casual get-togethers, shelters offer a convenient location within the park for your next outdoor occasion.

Picnic Area

The Picnic Areas are ideal for outdoor dining and socializing in a natural park setting. These designated spaces come with picnic tables, trash receptacles and easy access to surrounding amenities. Whether you’re planning a birthday, small gathering or just a relaxing day with family and friends, our picnic areas offer the perfect spot to enjoy your meal and the outdoors. There is no cover. Some “natural” shade may be provided by trees depending on the time of year.

Seasonal Canopy

Our Seasonal Canopies are an excellent choice for events requiring some shade or protection from the weather. These free-standing or temporary structures provide cover for your gathering while still allowing for an open-air experience. Seasonal Canopies have a cover during the peak season, from April through October. Perfect for smaller events, outdoor classes or relaxation during a sunny day, canopies offer flexibility for hosting various activities. 

Sun Shade

Our Sun Shades are fabric-covered sites, providing a shaded place for outdoor gatherings. Sun Shades are unique because they block sunlight, but they do not block rain. They are ideal for small groups in good weather, where everyone can enjoy the delight of outdoor recreation while avoiding direct sunlight.

Gazebo

The Gazebo is an elegant, scenic setting for special occasions such as weddings, ceremonies or peaceful retreats. This charming, open-sided structure is nestled in a picturesque place within the park, offering both shade and a romantic atmosphere. Ideal for small weddings, anniversaries or tranquil moments, our gazebos offer a serene and beautiful space for any occasion. Some seating may be provided – check the park reservable areas page for the specific location.

Inline Skate Rink

Our Inline Skate Rink is a dedicated space for roller skating, roller blading, and floor/inline hockey enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced skater, it is perfect for practicing your moves or just having fun with friends. With ample room for skating, it’s a great place for group events, fitness or recreational skating.

Futsal Court

The Futsal Court offers a high-quality outdoor space designed specifically for the fast-paced, smaller-scale version of soccer. With a hard-court surface, these courts provide an exciting venue for futsal matches, team practices and tournaments. Perfect for athletes or groups looking to enjoy competitive or recreational futsal in a dynamic setting.

Volleyball Court

Our Sand Volleyball Courts provide the perfect environment for a competitive game or casual play with friends and family. Available for rent for team events, practices or recreational games, the volleyball courts have a sand surface and are outdoors. Whether you're organizing a tournament or just having fun at the park, volleyball court rentals ensure you get the most out of your game. 

Amphitheater

The Amphitheater is a grand open-air venue for performances, concerts, theatrical productions and community events. With tiered seating and a stage, the amphitheater is perfect for large gatherings, live music or public speaking events. It provides excellent acoustics and a picturesque backdrop for any performance, making it an ideal setting for cultural, artistic or entertainment-focused events.

Water Mine Facilities

To learn more about the rental sites at the Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole, please visit the Water Mine Rentals website.

Indoor rentals are not handled by the Picnics Reservation Staff. If you would like an indoor rental, please contact the site you’re interested in. The site staff can give you more information about how to make a reservation, availability and other details.

To learn more about other rental facilities with Fairfax County Park Authority, please visit the Facility Rentals page.

We strongly suggest you visit the park before booking a rental site 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 site will help you get an idea of what the facilities look like, which will aid you with event planning. We recommend looking at parking spaces, bathrooms, grills, tables (configuration/counts/size/distance), and park amenities such as playgrounds, hiking trails, etc. Each reservable area page includes facility images, amenities, rules, map, etc. (Picnics website – “Choose a Park” dropdown menu)

Booking - Applications for the current calendar year are accepted beginning the first business day after January 1st. Many sites are in high demand and are booked early in the year. For the best chance of reserving your chosen date and space we recommend making a reservation at least 2-4 months in advance of your event date when possible. 

1. Book Online - available for rentals 10 or more days in advance (shown in green online)
2. Fill out the Web Application or submit a Paper Application - for hourly rentals, events within 10 days, or days where sunset is prior to 7pm (shown in gray with red slash or purple online)

Holds - Reservation Staff will only hold sites for up to 14 days (or as time allows) with a completed Web Application or Paper Application.

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, Reservation Staff will send a confirmation email and process the payment, if the space you have requested is available. Inform Reservation Staff that you plan to send your application and check or money order via mail. Do not send cash or credit card numbers via mail.

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

Waitlist – Some of our more popular sites fill up quickly. Groups can ask to be contacted when a site or timeslot becomes available. Please submit all requests by email to FCPApicnics@fairfaxcounty.gov.

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

If you are concerned that the price of your rental may not be correct, please consult the pricing available on the Picnics webpage. When in doubt, the pricing on the Picnics webpage is correct. If the pricing in the cart for the online booking portal does not match the pricing on the webpage, please contact Reservation Staff by email at FCPAPicnics@fairfaxcounty.gov and include the date, park, and site you are trying to reserve.

Discounts - A discount of 10% of the total rental fee will be applied to "long term" rental groups who rent canopy, picnic area, shelter, amphitheater, or gazebo sites for five (5) or more reservations throughout the calendar year. To get this discount, all rentals must be booked and paid for at the same time. These rentals must be made by Web Application or Paper Application. The rentals do not need to be at the same FCPA picnic reservable or park to be eligible for the discount. 

This discount is not available through the online portal. Refunds or credits for long-term discounts will not be issued for reservations booked online. This discount cannot be applied retroactively.

The discount is not available for Volleyball Court rentals.

First Come, First Served Sites - Groups with a sales receipt/permit have priority over first come, first serve groups in rental sites. First come, first serve groups may not remove the tables from rental sites.

Reservable sites that are not booked will be first come, first serve. Call 703-324-8732 or email FCPAPicnics@fairfaxcounty.gov to check the status of a specific site no more than 1 business day in advance. Reservation Staff are available Mon-Fri, from 9am to 3:30pm. **Please note that first come, first serve sites are available for groups that do not exceed 25 guests, see capacity section of Picnic Locator for specific capacity numbers** 

To see a list of sites that are always first come, first serve please do the following:

1. Visit the main Picnics page
2. Scroll down to the Picnic Locator
   
3. Select the Filter icon:
   
4. Select First come, First Served:
   
5. Select the 3rd icon and click on the category of area you are interested in:
   
   **Please note that these first come, first serve sites are available for groups that do not exceed 25 guests, see capacity section of Picnic Locator for specific capacity numbers**
6. You will be able to view the sites at different parks that are always first come, first serve.
   • If you are interested in using an open grass site, which is not listed on the Picnic Locator, and you have a group of 75 people or more, you will need to submit a Park Use Application for a Special Use Permit at least 45 working days in advance of the event. To learn more about Park Use Permits with Fairfax County Park Authority, please visit the “What would you like to do?” section on the Park User Permits website. If you have any further questions, please contact  FCPAParkPermits@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Reservations booked through the 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 Application and Paper Application can take 3-5 business days for a permit/sales receipt to be issued, 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 site, 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.

Rental site fees must be paid in full to receive a sales receipt.

• One-Time Use: All reservations are for one-time use only.
• Rental Options: We offer a variety of rental options based on facility type, location, and time of year, please visit Fairfax County Park Authority Picnics website for available rental time options.
  • Full Day: 9 a.m. to Sunset
  • Half Day: 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. to Sunset
  • 2-Hour Time Slots: Availability varies by site; you may book multiple consecutive slots if needed.
  • Hourly Reservations: Typically, available from sunrise to sunset, must be booked in full hour increments - Skate Rink, Volleyball Court, Futsal Courts, Amphitheater.
• Non-Negotiable Times: Rental times listed on our website and reservation page are fixed. Please check our reservable area pages for more details.
• Preparation Time: Ensure you allow enough time for setup and breakdown within the allotted rental time. This is especially relevant for hourly and 2-hour reservations.

• Sunset Schedule: All rentals must end by sunset. Sunset times range from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. throughout the year. This information will be included on your sales receipt/picnic permit.
  
   

  Time	2026	2027
  4:30 p.m.	Jan 1 – Jan 4	Jan 1 – Jan 4 (Winter)
  5:00 p.m.	Jan 5 – Feb 1	Jan 5 – Jan 31
  5:30 p.m.	Feb 2 – Feb 27	Feb 1 – Feb 27
  6:00 p.m.	Feb 28 – Mar 7	Feb 28 – Mar 13
  7:00 p.m.	Mar 8 – Mar 30	Mar 14 – Mar 29
  7:30 p.m.	Mar 31 – Apr 30	Mar 30 – Apr 29 (Spring)
  8:00 p.m.	May 1 – Aug 17	Apr 30 – Aug 18 (Summer)
  7:30 p.m.	Aug 18 – Sep 6	Aug 19 – Sep 7 (Summer)
  7:00 p.m.	Sep 7 – Sep 25	Sep 8 – Sep 26 (Fall)
  6:30 p.m.	Sep 26 – Oct 14	Sep 27 – Oct 14 (Fall)
  6:00 p.m.	Oct 15 – Oct 31	Oct 15 – Oct 31 (Fall)
  5:00 p.m.	Nov 1 – Nov 8	Nov 1 – Nov 8
  4:30 p.m.	Nov 9 – Dec 31	Nov 9 – Dec 31 (Winter)

• Multiple Bookings: Please note that we may have multiple bookings on the same day, there may be as little as 30 minutes between rentals.

Using our self-service online booking portal, groups can book their own reservations at many of our parks. To make an online reservation,

• The group representative (host) must have an active FCPA account
• It must be more than 10 days before the desired date of the event
• The facility must appear on the online booking portal

Choose the park you want to visit at the top of the page. Then, you can either choose the date in the top bar or via the arrows on the interface below. The Reservation Department shares this interface with camping reservations, so although the interface may say “1 night,” for the purposes of day use reservations, this refers to 1 day.

A green box indicates the site is available for online booking on that date. Please take a moment to confirm you have selected the correct date and facility before proceeding. The month and day at the top of the column should both match the desired event date.

A locked indicator (gray with a lock icon) may appear when another person is in the process of booking a space. This feature prevents double-booking. If you are also interested in that space, you can wait about 15 minutes and see if the space becomes available. 

A purple box with a walking person (“Walk-In”) indicates the site is not available for web booking. You can often still reserve this space, but you will need to contact the Reservation department directly.

To find out more about Walk-In status, please see the next section, “Walk-In Status.”

Some of our facilities do not appear at all on the online booking portal due to policy or technical limitations. Hourly facilities such as amphitheaters and sports facilities are not currently available on the online booking portal due to these technical limitations. These facilities can still be reserved using our Web Application or Paper Application.

If a facility appears on the online booking portal but is marked as “unavailable”/”booked” within the next 10 days, it may still be available. You can contact the Reservation department directly to confirm availability. If the facility appears on the online booking portal, but is marked as “unavailable”/”booked” more than 10 days out, this availability is usually accurate, and the facility is usually reserved on that date.

Using our self-service online booking portal, if a site or date is marked as “Walk-In,” it is not available for web booking, but it is often still available through other means. The specific circumstances may be one or more of the following:

• At parks which offer full- and partial-day reservations, on weekends and holidays, sites may be restricted to full-day reservations only. For this reason, all the other options (half day, etc.) may be marked as “Walk-In”, so only the full day is available.
• When a park is expected to be very busy on specific days, such as major holidays, a Web Application or Paper Application is required to reserve the space. For this reason, the sites may be marked as “Walk-In,” to prevent booking online.
• During the fall and winter, when parks are less busy, seasonal restrooms may not be available. Reservations are still permitted, but the Reservation Staff wants to ensure that reservation groups are informed about restroom availability, so an application form is required to reserve the space. For this reason, the sites may be marked as “Walk-In,” to prevent booking online.
• Later in the year, the sunset time may be very early, significantly shortening the duration of afternoon time blocks. Reservations are still permitted, but the Reservation team wants to ensure that reservation groups are informed of the time frame available for their rent, so a Web Application or Paper Application is required to reserve the space. For this reason, the sites may be marked as “Walk-In,” to prevent booking online.
• When an inquiry has been made for a large event at a specific park or space, but details and permits are being finalized, the Reservation team may temporarily suspend web booking for this space. Availability inquiries can be sent to the Reservations department via email (FCPAPicnics@fairfaxcounty.gov). The sites may be marked as “Walk-In,” to prevent booking online.

Once you know your event location, date, most of the activities at your event, and how many people will likely attend, you should have all the details needed to make your reservation. Booking early is best, to make sure that your desired site will be available on your desired date. If you’re not sure and need more time, you can submit a Web Application or Paper Application rather than booking online. This will allow you a few days to finalize your plans before paying for the rental facility.

Reservation calendars for the full year will open in early January, and applications are processed in order beginning January 1; the web booking portal opens shortly afterward. 

• If you want to change or cancel your reservation more than 14 days before the event, the change/cancellation 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. You can request a cancellation to remove your reservation from the calendar, but you will not get money back.
• Additional “Special Use” permits/permissions will only incur the cost of the permit. Special Use permits are not refundable. Special Use permits can be transferred when rescheduling an event.

All requests for cancellations or changes must be submitted in writing to FCPAPicnics@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Using our self-service online booking portal, FCPA credit is only viewable in the “secure payment processing” screen of the ParkTakes Online interface. To see your total credit available, add an item to your cart and click “Go to Checkout.” In the next screen, you will see three options to pay for the item in the cart. The first one will be “Pay By House Account.” When you select this option, you will be able to see your total available balance and apply it to your purchase in part or in full. Please note: Park Authority Staff do not have access to payment information saved on accounts or utilized during the original check out process. 

Some parks offer a bag of sports equipment for use during your reservation. Sports bags are available for rent at Burke Lake, Lake Accotink and Lake Fairfax. Depending on the park, the bag may include sporting equipment such as a soccer ball, bocce ball set, and volleyball. The rental fee is $30 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.

Please note: Park Authority Staff do not have access to payment information saved on accounts or utilized during the original check out process.

Special permission is required for a moon bounce at your event. Some parks do not allow inflatables. See reservable areas pages to review approved locations – indicated by the text, Inflatables: (# max) Permission Fee $25. 

To apply for a permit for an inflatable feature, submit your request on your Web Application and Paper Application, along with the non-refundable $25 permit fee per moon bounce/inflatable. If you are using the Online Booking Portal, check the box next to "PS- Special Use Permit: Moon Bounce $25" on the Reservation Details page during the online booking process.

You must have a reservation and permission to have a moon bounce/inflatable 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 rented site, vehicles are not allowed in the grass or on sidewalks.

Please call 703-324-8732 to add this to your existing rental. Please note: Park Authority Staff do not have access to payment information saved on accounts or utilized during the original checkout process.

Special permission is required for amplified sound at your event. Some parks do not allow amplified sound. See reservable areas pages to review approved locations – indicated by Amplified Music: Permission Fee $25 or Amplified Announcements: Permission Fee $25. 

To apply for an amplified sound permit, submit your request on your Web Application and Paper Application, along with the non-refundable $25 permit fee. If you are using the Online Booking Portal, check the box next to “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 sound 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 site.

DJs AND KARAOKE MACHINES ARE NOT ALLOWED AT ANY FAIRFAX COUNTY PARK AUTHORITY SITE. Live Performances are permitted only at our Amphitheaters.

Please call 703-324-8732 to add this to your existing rental. Please note: Park Authority Staff do not have access to payment information saved on accounts or utilized during the original checkout process.

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 prohibit amplified sound or music, please refer to our website. 

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 application. Each request, once approved, will cost $25.00 in permit fees. 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.

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

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. Submit all requests by email at least 2 business days prior to your event date. Special Use Permits are valid when the Special Use Permit Fee has been paid and the updated rental permit has been issued.

Please call 703-324-8732 to add this to your existing rental. Please note: Park Authority Staff do not have access to payment information saved on accounts or utilized during the original checkout process.

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 by Food Truck: (# max) Permission Fee $50. Submit your request on your Web Application and Paper 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, Reservation Staff 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 site. Vehicles must park in designated paved and gravel sites only. Parking on the grass is prohibited.

Please call 703-324-8732 to add this to your existing rental. Please note: Park Authority Staff do not have access to payment information saved on accounts or utilized during the original checkout process.

Alcohol may be permitted in designated rental sites 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 groups looking to add Alcohol Beverage Use to their existing rental, please submit the Alcohol Beverage Use Application to FCPAPicnics@fairfaxcounty.gov.

• Additional fees apply.

Field rentals are not rented by the Picnics Reservation Staff. 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. 

Field Use Application

• Additional fees may apply.

If you would like to check availability or add a field to your reservation, please contact FCPAFields@FairfaxCounty.gov.

Business Activity Licenses are not issued by the Picnics Reservation Staff. 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 APPLICTION

• Additional fees may apply.

If you have questions about adding a Business Activity License to your event, please contact FCPAParkPermits@FairfaxCounty.gov.

It is suggested to provide specific directions to your picnic guests prior to their arrival. Maps are available at the bottom of each of our reservable area pages. You may post directional signs on park property. Stand-alone signs are best. Signs are NOT allowed to be tacked, nailed, or stapled to park signs, trees, shelters, gazebos, canopies, and amphitheaters. Remove your signs before you leave for the day. A Damage or Clean-Up fee may be collected if the site is damaged or left unclean.  

Some of our sites have electricity. Electricity may be available and turned on when you arrive but does require park and picnic staff approval. For Ossian Hall reservations, electricity may be requested at the time of making your reservation. Know what is at your site before arrival and plan accordingly. To check if your shelter has electricity refer to our website. If there are issues on the day of your reservation, contact on-site staff.

Electricity is not suitable to power inflatables, amplified sound systems, or anything more powerful than a small household appliance. Larger equipment will need separate power supplies, such as a generator or solar power bank. Generators will need to be less than 6,000 watts. If you intend to use a generator, please contact us to discuss beforehand at FCPAPicnics@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Many of our sites have restrooms available. We sort these restrooms into the following categories:

Seasonal Portable restrooms are portable toilets which are placed at the park during the busiest part of the year, from about late March to early November. These toilets are cleaned regularly. These restrooms will only have a small, single stall. They are typically placed in smaller, local parks which do not have on-site staff, but at times are used to add restroom capacity to larger, busier parks.

Seasonal Permanent restrooms are permanent structures on park property, which are unlocked during the busiest part of the year, from about late March to early November. These toilets are cleaned regularly. These restrooms may have multiple stalls available. They are available at a wide range of parks, some of which have on-site staff, and some of which do not.

Year-Round Permanent restrooms are permanent structures on park property, which are unlocked for the full year. These toilets are cleaned regularly. These restrooms may have multiple stalls available. They are typically available at parks which have dedicated on-site staff.

Year-Round Portable restrooms are portable restrooms which remain at the park site for use throughout the year. These toilets are cleaned regularly. These restrooms will only have a small, single stall. They are typically used in parks which have year-round activities but may not always have permanent restrooms available.

Some parks do not have restrooms available. If restroom access is important for your event, please make sure to check if restrooms are available before making your reservation by checking the website first. If it appears that restrooms may not be available, contact the Picnics department directly to verify, as some parks do keep their restrooms open for longer periods of time on a case-by-case basis. If no restroom is available at all, rental groups may seek permission from the Picnics Department to contract their own portable restroom for their event.

Check our website for specific park amenities. Prepare for your event by bringing your own athletic equipment. Selecting parks have activities and amenities that can be booked in advance of your arrival, please visit Parktakes Online and search by park and event date. Park Amenities are open to the public and are not included in the reservation, such as restrooms, playgrounds, basketball courts, etc. Tennis/pickleball courts or fields may be reserved.

Pets are allowed in most parks but must be kept on a leash. See each park’s rules for specific site information.

Parking in all parks is first come, first serve (no reserved parking). It is suggested to arrive early to get the closest parking spots. Park in designated parking sites or lots. Parking spaces/lots cannot be blocked off or coned off.

Burke Lake Park Entrance Fee 

At Burke Lake Park non-county residents’ vehicles are subject to a park entrance fee on weekends and holidays from April through 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.

Our parks are open from sunrise to sunset (the site 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 and Half day 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 sites 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 8:00 p.m. throughout the year. Please see the “Time frame of rental” section for the sunset calendar.

Below is a list of parks with rental sites. Parks with multiple sites or specific navigation instructions have additional notes.

Annandale Park:

• 4030 Hummer Road, Annandale, VA, 22003
• Annandale Park Map
• Annandale Park Page

Arrowbrook Park:

• 2351 Field Point Road, Herndon, VA, 20171
• Arrowbrook Centre Park Map
• Arrowbrook Centre Park Page

Braddock Park:

• 13451 Braddock Road, Clifton, VA, 22024
• Braddock Park Map
• Braddock Park Page

Bren Mar Park:

• 5415 Colliers Lane, Alexandria, VA, 22312
• Bren Mar Park Map
• Bren Mar Park Page

Brookfield Park:

• 7417 Floyd Avenue, Springfield, VA, 22151
• Brookfield Park Map
• Brookfield Park Page

Burke Lake Park:

• 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, VA, 22039
• Shelters A, B, C, Picnic Site 1, 2, 3 & Volleyball take the second right and move around the loop to find your site.
• Shelters D, E, F and Amphitheater take the first left beyond the gate house and then turn into the first parking lot.
• Burke Lake Park
• Burke Lake Park Page

Clemyjontri Park:

• 6317 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA, 22101
• Clemyjontri Park Map
• Clemyjontri Park Page

Colvin Run Mill Park:

• 10017 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls, VA, 22066
• Colvin Run Mill Site Map
• Colvin Run Mill Park Page

Dunn Loring Park:

• 2540 Gallows Road, Vienna, VA, 22027
• Dunn Loring Park Map
• Dunn Loring Park Page

Eakin Park:

• Eakin Community Shelter: 8515 Tobin Road, Annandale, VA, 22003
• Eakin Community Park Map
• Eakin Community Park Page
• Eakin Mantua Shelter: 8928 Glenbrook Road, Fairfax, VA, 22031
• Eakin (Mantua Section) Park Map
• Eakin (Mantua Section) Park Page

Ellanor C. Lawrence Park:

• Visitor Center & Amphitheater address: 5040 Walney Road, Chantilly, VA, 20151
• Pond Shelter address: 5235 Walney Road, Chantilly, VA, 20151
• Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Map
• Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Map (Pond Shelter)
• Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Map (Visitor Center and Amphitheater)
• Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Page

Franconia Park:

• 6601 Telegraph Rd, Alexandria, VA, 22310
• Franconia Park Map
• Franconia Park Page

Frying Pan Farm Park:

• Visitor Center and Shelter Access address: 2739 West Ox Road, Herndon, VA, 20171
• Canopy Picnic Area Access address: 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon, VA, 20171
• Frying Pan Farm Park Map
• Frying Pan Farm Park Page

Great Falls Grange Park:

• 9818 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA, 22066
• Great Falls Grange Park Map
• Great Falls Grange Park Page

Hidden Pond Nature Center:

• 8511 Greeley Boulevard, Springfield, VA, 22152
• Hidden Pond Park Map
• Hidden Pond Park Page

Hogge Park:

• 3139 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church, VA, 22041
• Boyd A. and Charlotte M. Hogge Park Map
• Boyd A. and Charlotte M. Hogge Park Page

Jefferson Manor Park:

• 2909 Farmington Drive, Alexandria, VA, 22310
• Jefferson Manor Park Map
• Jefferson Manor Park Page

Lake Accotink Park:

• Front Entrance address: 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield, VA, 22150
• Rear Entrance address: 5660 Heming Avenue, Springfield, VA 22151
• Lake Accotink Park Map
• Lake Accotink Park Page

Lake Fairfax Park:

• 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston, VA, 20190
• Lake Fairfax Park Map
• Lake Fairfax Park Page

Laurel Hill Central Green:

• 8780 Lorton Road, Lorton, VA, 22079
• Laurel Hill Central Green Map
• Laurel Hill Central Green Page

Levelle Dupell Park:

• 6812 Newington Road, Lorton, VA, 22079
• Levelle Dupell Park Map
• Levelle Dupell Park Page

Lewis High Park:

• 6501 Deepford Street, Springfield, VA, 22150
• Lewis High Park Map
• Lewis High Park Page

Martin Luther King, Jr. Park:

• 8115 Fordson Road, Alexandria, VA, 22306
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Park Map
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Park Page

Mason District Park:

• 6621 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA, 22003
• Mason District Park Map
• Mason District Park Page

Mclean Central Park:

• 1468 Dolley Madison Blvd, McLean, VA, 22101
• Mclean Central Park Map
• Mclean Central Park Page

Mount Eagle Park:

• 5919 North Kings Highway, Alexandria, VA, 22303
• Mount Eagle Park Map
• Mount Eagle Park Page

Nottoway Park:

• 9537 Courthouse Rd., Vienna, VA, 22181
• Nottoway Park Map
• Nottoway Park Page

Olney Park:

• 1840 Olney Road, Falls Church, VA, 22043
• Olney Park Map
• Olney Park Page

Ossian Hall Park:

• 7900 Heritage Drive, Annandale, VA, 22003
• Ossian Hall Park Map
• Ossian Hall Park Page

Riverbend Park:

• 8700 Potomac Hills St., Great Falls, VA, 22066
• Riverbend Park Map
• Riverbend Park Page

Roundtree Park:

• 3320 Annandale Rd, Falls Church, VA, 22042
• Roundtree Park Map
• Roundtree Park Page

Spring Lane Park:

• 3400 Carlyn Hill Dr, Falls Church, VA, 22041
• Spring Lane Park Map
• Spring Lane Park Page

Stratton Woods Park:

• 2431 Fox Mill Road, Reston, VA, 20191
• Stratton Woods Park Map
• Stratton Woods Park Page

Stuart Road Park:

• 12001 Lake Newport Rd, Reston, VA, 20194
• Stuart Road Park Map
• Stuart Road Park

Sully Highlands Park:

• 13600 EDS Dr, Herndon, VA, 20171
• Sully Highlands Park Map
• Sully Highlands Park Page

Sully Historic Site Park:

• 3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly, VA, 20151
• Sully Historic Site Park Map
• Sully Historic Site Park Page

Turner Farm Park:

• 925 Springvale Road, Great Falls, VA, 22066
• Turner Farm Park Map
• Turner Farm Park Page

Tysons Pimmit Park:

• 2026 Burfoot St, Falls Church, VA, 22043
• Tysons Pimmit Park Map
• Tysons Pimmit Park Page

Some locations have signs that say a site is reserved, but most have a sign saying the space “may be reserved.” Please have a copy of your sales receipt available on an electronic device or on paper when you arrive at the park.

Park staff maintain picnic sites a couple of times a week. There is no guarantee that your site 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 site. 

To find restroom information about your reserved space, please visit the main Picnics page and select the park from the dropdown menu. You can locate the reserved site by name on the park’s page. The “Restrooms” line will tell you what type of restroom is available at each location, if any. To learn about the different types of restrooms available at FCPA locations, please refer to the “Restroom Availability” section of the FAQ.

You will find grills on some of these sites. 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. Grills are prohibited in parking lots and on sports fields.

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

Birthday Parties, Gender Reveals, Memorial Services, Special Events, Weddings, 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. These parks have sensitive environmental or cultural resources which may be harmed by the presence of balloons.

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

Park staff cannot assist with transport or set up. If you require assistance in setting up your event, we recommend recruiting volunteers, and providing carts, wheelbarrows, or other small, wheeled devices to transport heavy/bulky items from the parking sites to the picnic site. Most parks forbid vehicles from driving up to the shelter site.

Reservation Staff 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.

Our sites have many different types of tables. Some tables are embedded in the concrete base of a shelter or pad, while others are free to move. However, some tables are very heavy. If you can safely move tables without causing damage to yourself or the site, you are free to move the tables within the site. Please do not remove tables from the site.

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 appropriate trash dumpster or can or removed from the site. The releasing of balloons is prohibited. Decorative balloons must be deflated and disposed of as trash. A Damage or Clean-Up fee may be collected if the site is damaged or left unclean. The facility should be left better than you found it when possible.

If there is an emergency, please contact emergency services. You can call 911 or Fairfax County Police at the non-emergency phone number: 703-691-2131. Please come prepared for the weather, because these are outdoor sites. 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 rental sites.

FCPA Parks do not close for rain alone. The parks are typically open rain-or-shine, unless exceptional circumstances exist, such as planned or emergent maintenance. If you want to check the status of any FCPA location on any given day, you can use Park Alerts. Park Alerts includes all closure and change notices for all FCPA parks, Rec Centers, and more. You can find Park Alerts on FairfaxCounty.gov, here.

If your amphitheater, canopy, gazebo, picnic site, or volleyball court reservation is impacted by inclement weather, please email FCPAPicnics@fairfaxcounty.gov. You have 48 hours after the start time of your rental 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 site, 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.

The group representative must have a copy of the sales receipt/picnic permit in hand on the day of the event. Please politely approach the park visitors utilizing the reserved area, display your sales receipt/permit, and ask them to vacate the reserved site. 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 on the non-emergency phone number: 703-691-2131.

For questions during the week, you can contact Reservation Staff by phone or email. Our phone number is 703-324-8732 and our email is FCPAPicnics@fairfaxcounty.gov. Reservation Staff respond to messages throughout the work week. Messages are typically returned within 2-3 business days. To receive a return call, please leave a voicemail including your best phone number and confirmation number. Please be as detailed as possible for staff to assist you as efficiently as possible.

If you would like to work with someone in person, you can visit our office. Our office is open Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The office address is 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 105, Fairfax, Virginia. Before you visit, you can call Reservation Staff at 703-324-8732 to confirm operating status.

Please note, if you leave a message or email after 4 p.m. on Friday, it will be returned on Monday. If the office is closed due to a holiday, messages and emails will be returned on the next business day. Rental Coordinator/Assistants are unavailable on weekends or holidays.