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

Franconia Park Reservable Areas

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 Application:  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 one of the following ways along with the appropriate payment.
    • 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 4:00 pm – 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 105, Fairfax, VA 22035-5500  
      • Note: Contact us in advance for updated office hours and staff availability.
    • 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 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 p.m.

*Hourly reservations available Sunrise – Sunset (Ellanor C Lawrence Amphitheater #AMP). Rental Fee is per 4-hour minimum time slot, single use rate. This unit is not web bookable. To book the Amphitheater, please submit a picnic application.
¹ Prime rates apply Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Holidays.
² Non-Prime rates apply Monday through Thursday.

Notice

Thank you for a wonderful 2024 season!
As we work on updating our calendars, we will be removing the option for web reservations for the remainder of the year beginning October 7, 2024 at 4pm. If you’re looking to host an event between now and December 31, 2024, at one of our outdoor venues, you can still do so by utilizing:

  • Option 2: Web Application
  • Option 3: Picnic Area/Picnic Shelter Application

These options are available in the "Make A Reservation" tab below.
We look forward to hosting your events in 2025! Applications can be submitted on January 1, 2025 and web reservations will reopen on or after January 2, 2025 by 4pm. Please note that any applications submitted before this date will be voided.

Thank you for your understanding!
Morgan Chapin, Reservation Coordinator, Fairfax County Park Authority

Franconia Shelter A

Lee District Shelter

Seating Capacity: 48
Maximum Capacity: 68
Tables: 6 (Exact amount may vary)
Grilling is Prohibited
Electricity: No
Prime¹ Full Day*: $175
Prime¹ Half Day**: $120
Non-Prime² Full Day*: $120
Non-Prime² Half Day**: $70
2-hr Timeslot***: $115

AMPLIFIED SOUND, FOOD TRUCKS AND INFLATABLES ARE NOT PERMITTED AT THIS SITE.

*Full day reservations available, Tuesday after Labor Day weekend through Thursday before Memorial Day Weekend, 9:00 a.m. – Sunset (Full Day Large Shelter #A). Rental fee is per day, single use rate.

**Half day reservations available, April 1 through Thursday before Memorial Day Weekend and Tuesday after Labor Day weekend through September 30, 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (Half Day Large Shelter #A-AM) or 3:30 p.m. – Sunset (Half Day Large Shelter #A-PM). Rental fee is per half day, single use rate. TIME SLOTS ARE NOT NEGOTIABLE. 

*** 2-Hour time slot reservations available, Friday before Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (Two-Hour Large Shelter #A930) and 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. (Two-Hour Large Shelter #A12) and 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Two-Hour Large Shelter #A230 and 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. (Two-Hour Large Shelter #A5PM). Rental Fee is per 2-hour time slot, single rate use. TIME SLOTS ARE NOT NEGOTIABLE.

¹ Prime rates apply Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Holidays.
² Non-Prime rates apply Monday through Thursday.

 
Click for Availability Calendar

Franconia Shelter B

Lee District Shelter

Seating Capacity: 18
Maximum Capacity:
20
Tables:
4 (Exact amount may vary)
Grilling is Prohibited
Electricity: No
2-hr Time Slot: $80



AMPLIFIED SOUND, FOOD TRUCKS AND INFLATABLES ARE NOT PERMITTED AT THIS SITE.

*2-Hour time slot reservations
available 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (Two-Hour Medium Shelter #B930) and 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Two-Hour Medium Shelter #B12) and 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Two-Hour Medium Shelter #B230) and 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Two-Hour Medium Shelter #B5PM). Rental Fee is per 2-hour time slot, single rate use. TIME SLOTS ARE NOT NEGOTIABLE.
 

 
Click for Availability Calendar

Franconia Shelter C

Lee District Shelter

Seating Capacity: 18
Maximum Capacity: 20
Tables: 4 (Exact amount may vary)
Grilling is Prohibited
Electricity: No
2-hr Time Slot: $80

AMPLIFIED SOUND, FOOD TRUCKS AND INFLATABLES ARE NOT PERMITTED AT THIS SITE.


*2-Hour time slot reservations available 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (Two-Hour Medium Shelter #C930) and 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Two-Hour Medium Shelter #C12) and 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Two-Hour Medium Shelter #C230) and 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Two-Hour Medium Shelter #C5PM). Rental Fee is per 2-hour time slot, single rate use. TIME SLOTS ARE NOT NEGOTIABLE. 

 
Click for Availability Calendar

Franconia Treehouse

Lee District Treehouse

Seating Capacity: 18
Maximum Capacity: 20
Tables: 3 (Exact amount may vary)
Grilling is Prohibited
Electricity: No
2-hr Time Slot: $80

AMPLIFIED SOUND, FOOD TRUCKS AND INFLATABLES ARE NOT PERMITTED AT THIS SITE.


*2-Hour time slot reservations available 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (Two-Hour Medium Shelter #T930) and 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Two-Hour Medium Shelter #T12) and 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Two-Hour Medium Shelter #T230) and 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Two-Hour Medium Shelter #T5PM). Rental Fee is per 2-hour time slot, single rate use. TIME SLOTS ARE NOT NEGOTIABLE.

 
Click for Availability Calendar

Leonadus K. Plenty Amphitheater at Franconia Park

Lee District AmphitheaterMaximum Capacity: 300
Grilling is Prohibited
Electricity: Yes
Prime¹*: $50/Hr (4-hr minimum)
Non-Prime²*: $25/Hr (4-hr minimum)

 

FRANCONIA VOLLEYBALL COURTS 1 & 2

Rental Fee: $30/hr with Picnic Reservation
Rental Fee: $35/hr without Picnic Reservation

GRILLING, FOOD TRUCKS, INFLATABLES, AND AMPLIFIED SOUND ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THIS AREA.

 

Contact Picnic Department for availability

*Hourly reservations available 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Rental Fee is per 1-hour minimum time slot, single use rate. This unit is not web bookable. To book a Volleyball Court, please submit a picnic application. (Volleyball Court #VB-1, #VB-2)

Franconia Amenities

Our Special Harbor Spray Park
Chessie’s Big Backyard accessible playground
Accessible treehouse
Carousel
Softball fields
Tennis courts
Basketball courts
Volleyball court
Football fields
Soccer fields
Volleyball courts
Rec Center
Restrooms

Picnic at the Parks

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