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Picnic Shelter

at Watkins Mill State Park

To reserve this shelter, or to check for availability, visit our reservation page* or contact the park at 816-580-3387 during office hours.

*Shelters can be reserved online from 30 days to 12 months in advance of the day of use. Reservations for arrival dates less than 30 days out can be made only by contacting the park.

picnic tables under the picnic shelter

Shelter Amenities
  • 10 picnic tables
  • Electricity
  • Two grills
  • Length x width: 44' x 22'
  • Maximum occupancy: 80
  • Vault toilets nearby
  • Water spigot
  • Distance to beach: 0.6 mile
  • Distance to fishing dock: 0.1 mile
  • Distance to visitor center: 1.5 miles
  • Distance to campground: 1.2 miles

For more information about the park's picnic areas, click here.

Park Hours

Park Hours

Weather

Check Weather

Coordinates

39.397409, -94.264595

Park Hours

For temporary closures related to weather, stewardship activities and maintenance, as well as temporary trail closures, click here to visit our Park and Site Status Map.

On the following days (actual or observed), staff will not be available and park buildings will be closed: Thanksgiving Day; Nov. 29, 2024; Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; New Year’s Eve; New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Lincoln’s Birthday; and Presidents Day. 

Day-Use Areas

  • Lake Trail
    7 a.m. to sunset
  • Williams Creek Picnic Area
    Open year-round
  • Hill Top Picnic Area
    Open daily April 15-Oct. 31
  • Fox Hunt Picnic Area
    Open daily April 15-Oct. 31
  • South Gate:
    April 15-Oct. 31: 6:30 a.m. to sunset, daily
    Nov. 1-April 14: 7 a.m. to sunset, daily
  • North Gate
    7 a.m. to sunset, daily, year-round

Park Office hours

April 15-Oct. 31 (On-Season)

8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday

9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday

10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday

Nov. 1-April 14 (Off-Season

8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday

10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday

Visitor Center/Museum hours

April 15-Oct. 31

9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday

10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday

Nov. 1-April 14

9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday

10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday

Swimming Beach hours

Beach closed for the season