Picnic Shelters & Pavilions

Patapsco Valley State Park rents picnic shelters in seven of its areas, from small 10-person shelters to Pickall's 250-person double pavilions. DNR's 2026 base rates run from $6.75 for a 10-person shelter to $246.75 for a 250-person one, before transaction fees, and the park's entry fee is charged on top. Reserve at parkreservations.maryland.gov or 1-888-432-2267. Only the larger shelters can get an alcohol permit, and it must be arranged in advance. DNR's shelter rules ban inflatables and trampolines, and water play devices are not allowed in the park.

Base Rates by Size

DNR prices shelters by capacity (base rate, before fees):

• 10 people: $6.75
• 20 people: $16.75
• 70 people: $66.75
• 75 people: $71.75
• 100 people: $96.75
• 125 people: $121.75
• 175 people: $171.75
• 200 people: $196.75
• 250 people: $246.75

Entry service charges are not included. To prepay your guests' entry, contact the park office before your date.

Avalon, Orange Grove and Glen Artney

• #104: 100 guests, alcohol permit available
• #105: 200 guests, alcohol permit available
• #106 (Orange Grove): 70 guests, alcohol permit available, restroom nearby
• Glen Artney: #1 (20), #10 (20), #22 (10), #26 (20), #33 (10), #61 (10), #66 (70, alcohol permit available), #92 (10)

Restrooms and playgrounds are close to #104 and #105. The chimney at #1 belonged to a Civilian Conservation Corps camp. See Avalon Area.

Hollofield

Built by the CCC during the Depression. #300 (75 guests) and #301 (100) can get alcohol permits; #305, #318, #325, #333, #335, #350 and #367 hold 10, and #358 holds 20. See Hollofield Area.

McKeldin

#576 (175 guests) and #501 (100) can get alcohol permits. #508, #512, #534 and #550 hold 20; #513, #515, #540 and #545 hold 10; #600 is an open, uncovered area for 40. See McKeldin Area.

Hilton

#201 (100 guests, alcohol permit available); #217 and #245 hold 20; #220, #223 and #231 hold 10. Picnic tables also sit by the nature center and playground. See Hilton Area.

Pickall

Open only to renters and their guests, weekends and holidays from Memorial Day to Labor Day. #702 (100), #703 (200), #704 (100), #705, #706 and #707 (250 each, as two adjoining 125-person shelters) and #708 (125). All have grills and can get alcohol permits; some have fireplaces. DNR runs monthly open houses so renters can see their shelter first. See Pickall Area.

Rules

• No inflatables or trampolines. Devices that need water, such as portable pools and dunk tanks, are also banned to conserve water.
• Grills only at designated picnic areas. DNR made this rule to protect plants, soil and wildlife, and because people were getting hurt stepping on hot coals. Grills are not allowed at the Daniels Area.
• Alcohol: only at shelters that offer a permit, and only with a permit bought in advance through the reservation service.
• Entry fees apply to every guest or car, in addition to the rental (Hours & Fees).