Reservations are available April 1 through Oct. 31.
Reservations must be made online. No walk-in or email requests will be accepted.
Additional special use permits may be needed for food trucks, amplified music, inflatable and portable units (dunk tanks, tents, bounce houses) where permitted. Please contact the Dakota County Parks office at 952-891-7000 or parks@co.dakota.mn.us for more information. Additional fees may apply.
Lakeside Shelter - Lake Byllesby
Rental Hours: April 1-Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Phone:952-891-7000
Location: Lake Byllesby Regional Park (Driving directions)
Capacity: 100 (80 under the roof)
Rental rates
Monday-Thursday: $58
Friday-Sunday & holidays: $115
Located on the shores of Lake Byllesby Reservoir, this large shelter provides a scenic view of this large lake and a great gathering place for large or small groups at Lake Byllesby Regional Park.
Shelter is moderately accessible.
Check availability and reserve now
Payment and cancellation policies
Amenities
- Electricity
- Drinking fountain/jug filler (From October-April, water may not be available.)
- 13 picnic tables
- Charcoal grills - three small-size
- Vault toilets
- Playground
- Fire ring (firewood restrictions)
- Free parking
Lakeview Deck - Lebanon Hills
Rental Hours: Not available for private reservations. First-come, first-served use only.
Location: Lebanon Hills Regional Park (Driving directions)
Capacity: 70
Rental rates
Free, first-come, first-served. No reservations.
Enjoy beautiful views of Schulze Lake Beach under the shade of the Lakeview Deck. A sun shade provides protection from the sun, but not the rain. The area has access to the swimming beach and programming at the Visitor Center. Parking is free, but may fill up early on busy days. This is a drop-in use facility.
Electricity, including power outlets and outdoor lighting are available. Modern restrooms with running water are shared with beach visitors.
The deck accesses almost 12 miles of scenic wooded hiking trails.
Deck and restrooms are accessible.
Amenities
- Electricity
- Grills (in nearby picnic area)
- Drinking fountain/jug filler (From October-April, water may not be available.)
- 9 picnic tables
- Restrooms (shared with beach visitors)
- Free parking
Holland Lake Shelter - Lebanon Hills
Rental Hours: April 1-Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Phone:
952-891-7000
Location: Lebanon Hills Regional Park (Driving directions)
Capacity: 50 (40 under the roof)
Rental rates
Monday-Thursday: $63
Friday-Sunday & holidays: $125
Nestled on a wooded hillside overlooking Holland Lake, this modern shelter provides a great location for small group gatherings. The shelter is located on the Holland Lake Trailhead.
The picnic area accesses almost 12 miles of scenic wooded hiking trails.
Shelter and restrooms are accessible.
Check availability and reserve now
Payment and cancellation policies
Amenities
- Electricity
- Drinking fountain/jug filler (From October-April, water may not be available.)
- 7 picnic tables
- Charcoal grill - 1 medium-size
- Restrooms
- Free parking
Jensen Lake Shelter - Lebanon Hills
Rental Hours: April 1-Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Phone:952-891-7000
Location: Lebanon Hills Regional Park (Driving directions)
Capacity: 200 (95 under the roof)
Rental rates
Monday-Thursday: $103
Friday-Sunday & holidays: $205
This large terraced stone shelter provides a picturesque view of Jensen Lake in Lebanon Hills Regional Park. The shelter is located at the Jensen Lake Trailhead.
The shelter is great for family reunions, weddings, company and church picnics.
Shelter, restrooms and children's playground are accessible.
Check availability and reserve now
Payment and cancellation policies
Amenities
- Electricity
- Drinking fountain/jug filler (From October-April, water may not be available.)
- 26 picnic tables
- Charcoal grills - 2 oversized
- Restrooms
- Fire ring (firewood restrictions)
- Free parking
- Playground
East Shelter - Spring Lake
Rental Hours: April 1-Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Phone:952-891-7000
Location: Spring Lake Park Reserve (Driving directions)
Capacity: 80 (40 under the roof)
Rental rates
Monday-Thursday: $63
Friday-Sunday & holidays: $125
Nestled high on a wooded knoll above the Mississippi River at Schaar’s Bluff picnic area, this open-air shelter provides a picturesque location for your next group picnic. Renting the East Shelter and neighboring West Shelter can expand group capacity to 230 people for large group events at Schaar’s Bluff in Spring Lake Park Reserve. The East Shelter is located at the Schaar’s Bluff Trailhead.
Shelter and restrooms are accessible.
Check availability and reserve now
Payment and cancellation policies
Amenities
- Electricity
- Drinking fountain/jug filler (From October-April, water may not be available.)
- Five picnic tables under shelter roof, five picnic tables in nearby grass
- Charcoal grills - one oversized and one medium-size
- Restroom
- Fire ring (firewood restrictions)
- Free parking
- Playground
- Sand volleyball court
West Shelter - Spring Lake
Rental Hours: April 1-Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Phone:952-891-7000
Location: Spring Lake Park Reserve (Driving directions)
Capacity: 150 (100 under the roof)
Rental rates
Monday-Thursday: $90
Friday-Sunday & holidays: $180
The West Shelter provides a panoramic view of the mighty Mississippi from the river bluffs high above Spring Lake. Renting the West Shelter and adjacent East Shelter together can expand group capacity to 230 people for large group events at Schaar’s Bluff in Spring Lake Park Reserve.
Shelter and restrooms are accessible.
Check availability and reserve now
Payment and cancellation policies
Amenities
- Electricity
- Drinking fountain/jug filler (From October-April, water may not be available.)
- 19 picnic tables
- Charcoal grills - 2 oversized and 2 medium-size
- Restrooms
- Fire ring (Firewood restrictions)
- Free parking
Archery Shelter - Spring Lake
Rental Hours: April 1-Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Phone:
952-891-7000
Location: Spring Lake Park Reserve (Driving directions)
Capacity: 100 (85 under the roof)
Rental rates
Monday-Thursday: $63
Friday-Sunday & holidays: $125
This beautiful stone shelter is nestled in the woods adjacent to the state-of-the-art Spring Lake Archery Trail in Spring Lake Park Reserve. The Archery Shelter is located at the Spring Lake Park Reserve Fahey Trailhead.
Shelter and restrooms are accessible.
Check availability and reserve now
Payment and cancellation policies
Amenities
- Electricity
- Drinking fountain/jug filler (In April and October, water may not be available.)
- 13 picnic tables
- Charcoal grills - 2 oversized
- Restrooms
- Fire ring (firewood restrictions)
- Free parking
- Archery trail
Trout Brook Shelter - Miesville Ravine
Rental Hours: April 1-Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Phone:952-891-7000
Location: Miesville Ravine Park Reserve (Driving directions)
Capacity: 30
Rental rates
Monday-Thursday: $33
Friday-Sunday & holidays: $65
Large oak and black walnut trees provide a beautiful shaded canopy for this quaint stone shelter at Miesville Ravine Park Reserve.
Check availability and reserve now
Payment and cancellation policies
Amenities
- Electricity
- 4 picnic tables
- Charcoal grill - 1 oversized
- Vault toilets
- Free parking
Cannon Shelter - Miesville Ravine
Rental Hours: April 1-Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Phone:952-891-7000
Location: Miesville Ravine Park Reserve (Driving directions)
Capacity: 70
Rental rates
Monday-Thursday: $33
Friday-Sunday & holidays: $65
This large stone open-air picnic shelter offers a unique wilderness feel to your group gathering at Miesville Ravine Park Reserve.
Check availability and reserve now
Payment and cancellation policies
Amenities
- Electricity
- 9 picnic tables
- Charcoal grill - 1 oversized
- Vault toilets
- Free parking
North Shelter - Thompson
Rental Hours: April 1-Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Phone:952-891-7000
Location: Thompson County Park (Driving directions)
Capacity: 190 (140 under roof)
Rental rates
Monday-Thursday: $103
Friday-Sunday & holidays: $205
This beautiful stone shelter is a great gathering spot with a view of the lake in Thompson County Park.
Shelter and restrooms are accessible.
Check availability and reserve now
Payment and cancellation policies
Amenities
- Serving kitchen with refrigerator, freezer and sinks
- Electricity
- Drinking fountain/jug filler (From October-April, water may not be available.)
- 24 picnic tables
- Charcoal grills - 2 oversized and 2 medium-size
- Restrooms
- Playground
- Free parking
Empire Lake Shelter - Whitetail Woods
Rental Hours: April 1-Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Phone: 952-891-7000
Location: Whitetail Woods Regional Park (Driving directions)
Capacity: 120 (96 under the roof)
Rental rates
Monday-Thursday: $103
Friday-Sunday & holidays: $205
Outdoor ceremony at amphitheater: $100
This magnificent stone shelter located adjacent to Empire Lake offers the best views of thousands of acres of rolling hills and countryside in the heart of Dakota County.
The shelter and restrooms are accessible.
Check availability and reserve now
Payment and cancellation policies
Amenities
- Serving kitchen with refrigerator, freezer and sinks
- Electricity
- Drinking fountain/jug filler (From October-April, water may not be available.)
- 15 picnic tables
- Charcoal grills - 2 oversized and 2 medium-size
- Fire ring (firewood restrictions)
- Public restrooms
- Nature play area nearby
- Free parking
Big Rivers Shelter - Big Rivers Regional Trail
Rental Hours: Not available for private reservations. First-come, first-served use only.
Location: Big Rivers Regional Trail (Driving directions)
Capacity: 50
Rental rates
Free, first-come, first-served. No reservations.
Providing spectacular river views, this modern shelter provides a gathering spot along the Big Rivers Regional Trail. Parking is free but may fill up early on busy days. This is a drop-in use facility.
Electricity, including power outlets and outdoor lighting are available. Modern restrooms with running water are shared with trail users.
Shelter and restrooms are accessible.
Amenities
- Electricity
- Charcoal grills – five small
- Drinking fountain/jug filler (From October-April, water may not be available. )
- 10 picnic tables
- Restrooms (shared with trail visitors)
- Free parking