The Madison County Conservation Board provides park users with a number of picnic shelter facilities located in the parks listed below. Our picnic shelters vary in size and range from simple shelters with a few tables and grills to large facilities with electric outlets, group grills, lighting and modern bathrooms that provide excellent locations for large group gatherings. All of the large group facilities can be reserved up to one year in advance. Fees and reservation policies for each facility are listed below. On a daily/hourly bases, all shelter facilities are available on a first come-first serve basis if they are not posted as being reserved for All Day/Hourly increments.

All of our smaller shelters CAN NOT be reserved and are available on a first come-first serve basis only.

SHELTER RESERVATION POLICIES:

Middle River Park Shelter
Middle River Park Shelter is a split-level shelter that overlooks the main picnic area adjacent to Middle River. The shelter is surrounded by landscaped wildflower beds and is handicapped accessible. The upper level of the shelter is available for reservations and can seat up to 200 people. The upper level provides electrical outlets, lighting, handicapped accessible parking, and a large deck that overlooks the lower picnic grounds. The lower level of the shelter is directly attached to the hard-surfaced handicapped accessible Rocky Creek Trail. Middle River Shelter may be rented from April through October. Summer Park Hours: 7:00am to dusk; May through September Off-Season Hours: 8:00am to dusk.

Facilities:

Pammel Park Lodge
The historic Pammel Park Lodge was built in the 1920’s using oak logs grown on the site. The Lodge, with a large limestone fireplace provides a rustic setting for family reunions, weddings, old fashion Christmas’s and much more. The enclosed portion of the Lodge provides seating for up to 50 people. The hand-made antique furniture (tables, benches & chairs) in the enclosed portion of the lodge were constructed out of native oak and walnut. The attached porch provides additional seating for up to 50 people. Both the enclosed room and attached porch provides users with electrical outlets, lighting and electric heat. Water is available just outside the Lodge. The Lodge is connected to the parking area and the nearby modern bathroom by a hard-surfaced handicap accessible trail. The Lodge is our only picnic shelter that may be rented throughout the year. Park Hours: 7:00am to 10:00pm.

Facilities:

Backbone Shelter – Pammel Park
The historic Backbone Shelter was built in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corp using oak logs grown on the site and limestone quarried from nearby outcroppings. The Backbone Shelter has a large limestone fireplace and provides a beautiful setting for small groups, seating approximately 30 to 35 people. Backbone Shelter is available on a first come-first serve basis only.

Facilities:

Rental Fees:

Fellowship Shelter – Fellowship Forest Park
Fellowship Forest Shelter was built originally in the 1950’s as part of a former Methodist Church Camp and has been recently renovated to include electrical outlets, lighting and a large hooded grill in the center of the shelter. Fellowship Shelter seats up to 65 people. Park Hours: 7:00am to 10:00pm.

Facilities:

Rental Fees:

Gazebo Shelter – Cedar Covered Bridge Park
The Cedar Bridge Park Gazebo is a quaint structure located within a small grove of pines a short distance from Cedar Covered Bridge. The Gazebo will seat only very small groups of up to 15 people. The Gazebo, with its adjoining brick patio surrounded by a colorful wildflower garden, is often reserved by small wedding parties. The Gazebo is also heavily used throughout the week by lunch-time visitors touring the Bridges of Madison County. Park Hours: 7:00am to 10:00pm

Facilities:

Rental Fees: