Top 5 Family-Friendly Picnic and BBQ Areas in the High Country
An expansive park featuring soccer fields, baseball diamonds and walking paths for your picnic – never overcrowded and always clean.
Experience panoramic vineyard views and spacious grassy areas at this winery, complete with picnic shelter. Just remember to bring your own food, share glasses with other visitors and leave no trace behind.
1. Bear Creek Park
No matter if you’re grilling up some burgers and hot dogs or toasting marshmallows, the ten miles of multi-use trails provide ample room to spread out your picnic blanket and set up camp. Plus, this park also features playgrounds, tennis courts and baseball fields!
At the foothills of Pikes Peak lies this regional park – offering a pleasant escape within city limits. Boasting 545 acres, this 545-acre oasis features picnic pavilions, gardens, play fields, basketball and volleyball courts, tennis court, archery range and horseshoe pit; plus picnic pavilions!
Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir thrive in this mountain park where balsam root, prickly pear cacti, wild rose and mosses compete for water resources. There’s also an aviary and small zoo; four lighted tennis courts; as well as plenty of picnic tables to provide further enjoyment for park visitors.
2. Greynolds Park
Greynolds Park covers 249 acres in northeast Miami-Dade County. This natural park includes a lagoon, historic boathouse, campgrounds, trails and an observation mound.
Civilian Conservation Corps workers used William Lyman Phillips as their landscape architect, turning a barren rock quarry and mangrove forest into an idyllic public park in 1936. Rock pits became shimmering lagoons while boathouse and camp facilities were created from coral stone; and finally a rocky mound was formed as an overlook point.
Rustic picnic tables surrounded by shade-giving hemlock trees punctuate this park, which is popular with hikers and anglers as well as offering wildlife viewing opportunities. A boathouse located within the park provides kayak, canoe, and paddleboat rentals; visitors may also take a leisurely paddle around its lagoon on weekends and holidays.
3. Bear Creek Park East
At this picnic area in an expansive regional park, one of its most stunning waterfalls can be seen from picnic tables and a small pavilion. Groups can make use of both facilities, with plenty of tables for everyone if cooking needs arise; dogs on leashes are welcome too!
Hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding are popular activities at this park. Additionally, it boasts a nature center as well as numerous sports fields and courts for tennis, soccer and basketball play.
This picnic spot provides the ideal setting for an exciting and explorative day of adventure and discovery. Situated along a creek and surrounded by forest, its tranquil surroundings make this an idyllic picnic location. Additionally, this is also one of the High Country’s most favored trails – guests may even get lucky enough to encounter wildlife such as deer and squirrels!
4. Scott County Park
Rustic picnic tables sheltered by hemlock trees adorn this scenic park, making it popular with hikers and anglers. A deep ravine created by Black River provides relief in summer heat while remaining cool to wildlife.
In addition to these amenities, the park also features a swimming area, sand beach and campground for its guests to use, along with numerous hiking trails for them to choose from.
This park features numerous picnic areas along a creek that children love to play in, and serves as the gateway for one of the High Country’s most beloved trails.
5. Stone State Park
Standing Stone State Park provides an array of outdoor activities. A 69 acre lake offers fishing, rowboat rentals and non-motorized boating while hiking trails lead through dense forest habitat, vivid wildflowers, flowing streams and beautiful waterfalls.
The park’s natural diversity attracts hikers, mountain bikers and equestrian enthusiasts. It features Carolyn Benne Nature Trail and Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center as educational opportunities; additionally there are three open shelters (Wahkaw ADA-accessible shelter and CCC-era day-use lodge) which make organizing outdoor gatherings simple at this park.
The Loess Hills provide the rugged topography of this park, creating one of the world’s most unique geographic formations and delighting geologists alike. Geologist will find much to study here! This park stands out as an Iowa gem; home to abundant wildlife along its rugged terrain.
6. Mississippi River Front
The Mississippi River has long been an integral part of American identity, from history and literature to today’s economy. Visitors to Saint Paul can experience all its natural and bustling beauty on its riverfront promenade – an area offering scenic vistas, public art displays, and various family activities.
Plunge into the water, enjoy waterfront lunch at Raspberry Island or embark on an immersive riverboat tour for an unforgettable experience! Stop by Levee Stage, an open air performance space situated along the Mississippi River that features docks, overlooks, walking/biking paths, levee terraces and artistic features – the ultimate riverfront destination experience awaits you.
7. Pioneer Park
This small park features picnic tables and grassy areas in a historic commercial district. At its heart stands the bronze The Pioneers statue.
This downtown park serves as a gathering place for the community, offering amenities such as playground equipment, sports fields and multiple picnic areas. In addition to these features, it also houses the Crook County Museum as well as hosting many events throughout the year.
Pioneer Park draws directly upon input from an extensive public engagement process that involved over 1,000 attendees at events, 1,800 online survey responses and 19 stakeholder meetings and workshops. This plan retains a multi-use field while expanding connections to nature via native plantings, tree groves and plaza space designed for market and other community activities. A total of $3.44M impact fee funding has been set aside for Phase I construction which should begin by summer 2023.
8. Poole’s Mill Covered Bridge
Poole’s Mill Covered Bridge in Forsyth County spans Settendown Creek and is one of the region’s most historic structures. This park also houses a garden, creekside picnic tables with grills, fantastic playground, large pavilion, trash cans and restrooms – an unparalleled combination.
This bridge, featuring its queenpost truss design and distinct red exterior, offers a picturesque scene against its serene surroundings. Part of David Crockett State Park, this landmark serves as a reminder of its rich history.
To stay eco-friendly, make sure that glass containers (beer/soft drinks are fine), bring your own blanket, leave pets at home, and practice Leave No Trace principles when visiting sensitive wildlife areas – this means not touching plants or placing stones back where they were originally discovered.
9. Gerard Park
Gerard Park offers the ideal spot for families to relax together; located alongside a creek and boasting wide open spaces where children can play frisbee, backyard croquet or host a sack race. Furthermore, it serves as the starting point for many of the town’s popular walks while providing barbecue facilities and covered picnic tables for everyone’s use.
Grandfather Mountain is known for its iconic mile-high bridge, animal habitats and nature museum – perfect for an enjoyable family picnic and BBQ! There are more than 10 picnic areas throughout the park with several covered shelters that can be reserved for larger events or functions.
10. Bear Creek Park West
The McKee Botanical Garden offers visitors an exotic selection of plant life and towering trees, making it the ideal place for family picnics. Additionally, there is a large playground and plenty of picnic tables.
Bear Creek Pioneers Park (also referred to locally as “Bear Creek Park”) features paved roads and parking that make accessing its vast parkland simple, featuring walking trails, equestrian trails, walking/equestrian paths, sports fields such as those used by Westside Soccer Club, Little League, Girls Softball Association as well as four lighted tennis courts and eight picnic pavilions – not forgetting an aviary and small zoo! Among its other attractions.
Michael Klitzing is looking forward to the public experiencing this one-of-a-kind destination park designed by SmithGroup and proud that the design team included an innovative public input process in its creation process.