Bear Creek Park

Before booking

• For 2026, booking opened February 2 at 9 a.m. for shelter dates April 4 through October 11.
• You pay in full when you book; the city won't hold a date without payment.
• Online bookings need at least five calendar days' notice. By phone or in person, book by 5 p.m. on the third full business day before your date; cancel or reschedule by 5 p.m. before the third business day ahead.
• Most shelters rent in two blocks, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-9 p.m., or for the full day; between 2 and 4 p.m. crews clean, so nobody may book or occupy the shelter then unless it is booked for the full day. Several neighborhood park shelters rent as one noon-9 p.m. block instead.
• Any shelter without a paid booking is free to use, first come, first served.
• With a paid shelter booking, guests may drink alcohol inside the shelter's footprint only; no permit is needed unless a business is selling or serving it. No glass containers in city parks.
• Online booking isn't allowed for events involving vendors or food trucks, tournaments, leagues, camps, fundraisers, a business serving alcohol, or more than two bounce houses; call the parks office for those.
• Bounce houses are allowed only with a shelter booking, must go up and come down inside the booked time, and water inflatables aren't allowed.
• If bad weather hits during your booking, you can ask for a refund or a new date in the same season by 5 p.m. within five business days after.