Whether it’s a family reunion or company picnic, the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) offers many reserveable picnic sites throughout the city. The areas include a variety of amenities to make your event convenient and fun, including shelters for up to 200 people, electricity, outdoor grills, water, nearby parking lots, walking paths, playgrounds and gardens.
The picnic season runs April 15-October 15. Permits are required. The MPRB Customer Service office begins issuing permits at 8:00 a.m. on January 4th to walk up customers; permits are available online and by fax beginning at 9 a.m. January 4. Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis online, in person at MPRB headquarters, 2117 West River Road in Minneapolis; or by mail to:
Special Services/Permit Office
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
2117 West River Road, Minneapolis 55411
2010 Picnic Locations & Fees
Apply for a Picnic Permit
Visit the parks often? Get a Park Patron Parking Pass to enjoy worry-free parking at lots across the Minneapolis park system.
Learn more about a specific picnic area or apply for a permit click on a link from the menu on the left.
For more information about picnic rates and facilities, call 612-230-6400. Office hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Open Picnic Areas
The following open picnic areas are available for public use on a first come first serve basis:
- Minnehaha picnic area #1
- The pavilion near the falls at Minnehaha - Monday thru Thursday only
- 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. To find out where these picnic areas are located, view our list of all parks with picnic areas.
