Rental Policies and FAQs

General Rental Information:

1. Day-use rentals are available between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

2. All listed rental fees include the general admission for the maximum capacity of that space (excluding scout/youth group pricing).

3. Missouri Botanical Garden memberships do not apply to private rentals.

4. Rentals can be made up to 1 year in advance.

5. A signed rental agreement and deposit are required to reserve your rental date.

6. Cancellations: Shaw Nature Reserve requires a 50% non-refundable deposit of your site rental to reserve your date(s). Please refer to your rental agreement for details on our cancellation policies.

All visitor guidelines apply to private rentals, including:

1. Leave only footprints and take only photographs and memories. 

2. Stay on the trails. 

3. Leave what you find. Do not pick or eat plants, seeds, fruits, flowers, or fungus. Do not collect animals or artifacts. 

4. Bicycles are permitted on roads and service roads only. 

5. Be prepared–dress appropriately for the weather, bring plenty of water. 

6. Follow posted speed limit (15 mph) and park in designated parking areas only. 

7. No firearms (including replicas), weapons, fires, alcoholic beverages, hunting, fishing, grilling, wading, or swimming. 

   1. Please consult with your rental coordinator regarding the use of the fire pits at the overnight center. This is often weather dependent.

8. No smoking or electronic smoking devices. 

9. Service animals only. No pets. 

10. Music of any type must be kept at a reasonable level with the understanding that the Nature Reserve and its trails are still open to other visitors during your rental period. Shaw Nature Reserve staff reserves the right to ask for the volume to be turned down.

Post-Event Cleanup Checklist:

1. Litter must be picked up by rental party and deposited in the trash and recycling bins.

2. All decorations must be taken down and disposed of properly.

3. Spilled food and drink must be cleaned up by rental party.

4. Cleanup and departure must be accomplished by agreed upon departure time listed in the rental contract.

Being a nature reserve, there is active management practices to ensure our habitats stay healthy. This could include prescribed burning. Prescribed burning typically occurs late October to March. Prescribed fire will have minimal impacts to your private rental, though there is a chance that there will be prescribed fire in other areas during the day of your rental. The surrounding area might look scorched in late winter to early spring. By late April, vegetation is already growing back and is around shin-high! 

Shaw Nature Reserve does not cancel rentals for inclement weather unless it has a severe impact on the immediate area (flooding, icy roads/trails). Consult your rental contract or contact your rental coordinator for more information if you would like to cancel your event due to weather.

Yes! Decorations must be hung by string only; no nails, tacks, or adhesive. Please be mindful of the gardens and plantings surrounding the buildings. Please no fresh flowers, balloons, rice, birdseed, potpourri, glitter, or plastic confetti. 

Your decoration/set up time is included in your rental time frame listed in your agreement. To respect our staff’s time setting up for your event, please do not arrive earlier than your rental time frame. If you need more time, ask about purchasing additional hours. 

Only alcohol provided and served by a licensed caterer is permitted at Shaw Nature Reserve.

Drones are not permitted at Shaw Nature Reserve unless a licensed operator submits a liability and insurance application.