Preserve Hours
OPEN 4am-10pm daily. See Getting Here and Parking.
An outing to Picnic Point has long been a tradition for students and community members. There are six reservable fire circles on Picnic Point for visitors to enjoy a warm fire or cook a picnic meal.
Fire circles are numbered 1 – 6 from the base of Picnic Point to the tip. The distance from the entrance to Picnic Point to fire circle #6 is approximately 0.75 miles (1.2 km); it’s about a 15 minute walk. Firewood is provided at racks along the main path.
Before you reserve a fire circle, please review our Visitor Etiquette.
Safety information:
- Never leave a fire unattended.
- Swimming is only allowed at the Memorial Union swim pier.
- Is it safe to go out on the frozen lake? Visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website for ice safety tips.
To reserve a fire circle:
Campus Event Services/Wisconsin Union
Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm, Mon-Fri
Email: events@union.wisc.edu
Campus Event Services will respond to your submission within 3 business days. You will receive an email confirmation of the date, time, and site number. Since reservations are not required, the site may be in use when you arrive. You may show them your reservation confirmation and politely ask that party to leave.
How do I choose a fire circle?
Fire circle #1
- Maximum capacity 15.
- Cooking grate provided.
- Nearest firewood rack is further down the path close to fire circle #2.
Fire circle #2
- Maximum capacity 30.
- No cooking grate.
- Adjacent to small lawn area.
- Nearest firewood rack is adjacent to this location.
Fire circle #3
- Maximum capacity 16.
- Cooking grate provided.
- Adjacent to sand beach. Swimming not allowed.
- Closest fire circle to pit toilets.
- Nearest firewood rack is a short walk east of this location (towards the tip of the Point).
Fire circle #4
- Maximum capacity 15.
- Adjacent to fire circle #5. Combine them for maximum capacity of 30.
- Cooking grate provided.
- Firewood rack is short distance before you reach this location.
Fire circle #5
- Maximum capacity 15.
- Adjacent to fire circle #4. Combine them for maximum capacity of 30.
- Cooking grate provided.
- Firewood rack is short distance before you reach this location.
Fire circle #6
- Maximum capacity 80.
- No cooking grate.
- Firewood rack located along main path before you reach fire circle.
