Phoenix Park and Preserve Picnic Areas

Want to reserve a ramada/picnic area for a family or group gathering? The Parks and Recreation Department offers a limited number of reservable ramadas in traditional city parks as well as the more quiet setting of our desert preserves. Dozens of additional parks throughout the city also have ramadas that are available for day use on a first-come, first-served basis.  You can reserve ramadas at administrative offices and department community centers  Consumption of beer and use of amplified music and inflatable bounce houses require permits. Visitors also can purchase permits at centers and administrative offices. Beer permits cost $28, amplified music and bounce house permits cost $10 each. Please note that beer permits are NOT refundable. Amplified music is not allowed in desert preserves. There are additional guidelines, listed below, for ramada reservations in desert preserves.

Desert Preserve Ramada Reservation Guidelines

• Reservations can be made in person at any Parks and Recreation Department community center or administrative office. For questions call (602) 495-5458, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please Note: There are no ramada reservations on major holidays including Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving (and the Friday following), July 4, Christmas, Memorial Day, Labor Day and any other official holiday recognized by the City of Phoenix. On these holidays, all desert-preserve based ramadas are available on a first come, first served basis.

• Only one reservation per day between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., per ramada allowed. NO EXCEPTIONS.

• Beer permits are only allowed with a ramada reservation. They cannot be sold separately for the parks and preserves. A beer permit is required for consumption of beer at the ramadas. Liquor or glass containers are not permitted in any city park. Permit holder must be present. Beer permits are non-refundable.

• No amplified music/sound (PA Systems, music, microphones, etc) is permitted in the mountain preserve ramadas.

• Bounce houses are NOT allowed in preserves and non-traditional desert parks.

• The permit and a responsible party (18 years of age or older) must be on-site when the ramada is being used. The permit holder will leave the ramada in a clean and neat condition. The total reserved time includes any time needed by the permittee for set up and clean up.

• Ramada reservations are not allowed more than six months in advance and only three reservations in a three month period are allowed per person or group. Reservations must be made 48 hours in advance.

• Special events such as runs, walks, etc. must be coordinated with the individual park supervisors.

• Some ramadas are first-come, first-served and do not require a reservation.  Ramadas not listed in the reservation section are first-come, first-served.

• Maximum capacity guidelines for each area will be strictly enforced.

• Smoking is not allowed outside of vehicles.

• Observe fire and grilling restrictions during fire bans when they are in effect, which include a ban on wood and charcoal fires and smoking outside of enclosed vehicle.

• No dunk tanks, piñatas, confetti or inflatables are allowed in mountain parks.
  Ramadas can be decorated, however the use of tape, nails or staples are prohibited.

• Catering is permitted at reservable ramadas, however the caterers must be made aware that all that is brought in must be removed. No dumping of waste or trash is allowed in the parks and preserves. Food must be prepared off site as there are no facilities available.

• All loading an unloading must be done from parking lots only. Vehicles may not be driven or parked on turf areas, sidewalks, service driveways, or emergency zones. Parking lots may not be used as serving areas from catering vehicles. Unloaded trailers must park in the remote parking lots. Parking is limited and not guaranteed for ramada reservations.

• Some ramadas may have electrical outlets and water, however electricity and water are not guaranteed.

• Domestic animal owners must comply with the park rules and regulations.

Please Note: There are no ramada reservations on major holidays including Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving (and the Friday following), July 4, Christmas, Memorial Day, Labor Day and any other official holiday recognized by the City of Phoenix. On these holidays, all desert-preserve based ramadas are available on a first come, first served basis.

View our Ramada Rules and Guidelines for everything you need to know about using a park for a party or gathering.