The Best Picnic Spots in the High Country
Pack a picnic and experience nature at its best. From expansive meadows to breathtaking cliffside overlooks, these scenic places make perfect spots for enjoying one of the High Country’s stunning vistas while eating your lunch or snack.
Milepost 430.7: Cowee Mountain Overlook – Enjoy stunning mountain vistas at this idyllic picnic spot! Bring along a blanket and your lunch to this cliffside picnic area, perfect for two.
Clover Brook Farm
Experience the splendor of nature while feasting on a tasty picnic lunch in New York State’s great outdoors! From Westchester County to Adirondack Parks, New York boasts numerous breathtaking picnic sites perfect for spreading out a blanket and relishing in leisurely meals outdoors.
Central Park’s Turtle Pond is an iconic picnicking location that provides breathtaking views of Belvedere Castle reflected on the water, but for something a bit quieter visit Sheep Meadow in the southern portion of the park for a unique picnicking experience amidst grassy landscapes and scenic vistas that provide ample opportunity for relaxation, unwinding and forgetting about city life altogether.
Van Cortlandt Park in The Bronx makes for another spectacular picnic location, boasting over 1,000 acres of lush natural terrain with hiking trails and picnic areas offering picturesque views of Hudson River. Plus, this park is filled with wildlife and plants making a visit truly rewarding!
Valle Crucis Park is one of the top picnic spots in the High Country, offering plenty of ways to enjoy outdoor dining. From covered shelters (which can be reserved) and tables with grills to grill-equipped tables – everything you could ever need for an ideal dining experience outdoors can be found at this park. Plus if you need something quicker there are two nearby eateries: Ham Shoppe and Mast General Store Candy Barrel for quick meals on-the-go.
The Ausable Chasm, often referred to as the Grand Canyon of Adirondacks, features several spectacular picnic areas with stunning cliff views. Spread your blanket out on this park and indulge in food and drinks from your cooler – don’t forget your blanket, some utensils and portable screen dome for food coverage as well as eco-friendly bug repellent in case any bugs decide to join you for your picnic!
Upper Beaver Meadows
There are plenty of places in the High Country where you can spread out a blanket and admire its stunning scenery, from waterfalls, mountain peaks and sparkling lakes to picnic areas that provide more solitude such as Upper Beaver Meadows Picnic Area.
About seven miles outside Estes Park lies the meadow – one of Rocky Mountain National Park’s quietest and secluded picnic spots. Rarely will more than a handful of hikers be present when exploring this trail which weaves its way through wildflower meadows and forests, making for excellent opportunities to spot elk, mountain goats and mountain goat viewing, plus some trails leading to spectacular vantages of Longs Peak and nearby peaks.
As you walk from the trailhead to the first intersection, stay to the right when crossing streams and traversing wide open meadows with towering mountains looming overhead. At the second intersection, turn right as you enter the forest and begin climbing along a ridgeline – this may take several minutes before reaching its summit for breathtaking views over Moraine Park and its surroundings mountains!
For those wanting to extend their hike, Sphinx Rock provides shaded picnic tables where elk gather to graze. Meanwhile, Split Rock Parking Area is popular during summer for picnics as its overlook of resident elk Merle and Watson is sure to please picnickers. When visiting this section of RMNP be sure to bring bear spray as bears may be active here; always be ready to act quickly in such instances!
The Jade Pool
This sprawling park on Lake LaSalle features numerous picnic spots with scenic water views. The large grass area near the parking area provides an ideal place to spread blankets out and play croquet or Frisbee; for a more private experience, head up Bluebell Road where there are tables tucked among clusters of ponderosa pines.
Grandfather Mountain offers many attractions for visitors, such as its mile-high bridge, animal habitats and nature museum; but Tate Evans Park also features an ideal picnic area that looks out onto Lake Superior for families to gather and have a tasty lunch with their loved ones. Spread out blankets or set up yard games while taking advantage of its large, grassy lawn to set out blankets or yard games and have lunch!
Banner Elk’s Park of Commerce features two covered picnic shelters and an open field perfect for enjoying a leisurely picnic. With several tables and grills along with playground equipment and hiking trails, this spot stands out as one of Banner Elk’s premier family picnic destinations.
Short hike from Old Faithful brings you to Steamboat Point Picnic Area, offering breathtaking views of geothermal wonders and surrounding mountains from Yellowstone Lake shores. Or venture further south for 10-table Delacy Creek and East Lot picnic areas!
Kensico Dam Plaza offers an idyllic environment for family picnics. Its 234 acres provide plenty of room to spread out blankets, while a covered group picnic shelter can seat up to 16 picnickers at once. Plus, the park also features playground equipment, walking trails and cultural events; make sure you check their event calendar before visiting!
The Wells Memorial Library
Wells Memorial Library is an unforgettable sight, featuring blooming flowers, picturesque fountains, and an assortment of sculptures that makes it a stunning outdoor art gallery. Perfect for unwinding and indulging in picnic food. And after you’re finished eating, why not stretch your legs by strolling along Walden Pond which looks just like postcard?
If you’re seeking a more challenging picnicking destination, visit the Lembert Dome Picnic Area for breathtaking views. At 9,240 feet above sea level, its mountain summit towers above its surrounding forest like an enormous granite wave; after your meal you can burn off extra calories by scaling its smooth surface all the way up from base to peak!
Bond Park, situated in Estes Park’s center, provides an idyllic mix of nature and amenities. Boasting a charming lake, picturesque walking paths, trees, shrubs, and flowers of various species as well as laughter from nearby amphitheaters – Bond Park makes an excellent picnicking destination.
As a favorite among locals, this stunning gorge provides the ideal setting to experience an enjoyable lunch outdoors with loved ones. Following lunch, make sure to explore its famous waterfalls as well as hiking trails and waterfall pools before packing a blanket, water, snacks and making sure that any trash left behind by you has been cleaned up promptly. Don’t forget Leave No Trace picnicking rules while in the High Country by minimizing impact and cleaning up after yourself when necessary!
The Bridge Park
This picturesque picnic spot by the Llano River is a favorite among locals. Set yourself up on one of its rocky banks with your lunch of baguette or burger and take in views of river valley and sandstone cliffs while appreciating views of wildlife in the park.
This park boasts botanical gardens, hiking trails, sculptures and more – and one fantastic picnic location – the Village Green. At 13.2-acres this shady picnic spot features multiple picnic tables, large play area with swing set, gazebo and on-site parking – not to mention being within 2-minutes drive of some of Sylva’s top non-chain restaurants (Cornucopia, Cashiers Valley Smokehouse City Lights Cafe Whiteside Brewing Co) as well as dining spots offering to-go menu options like Cornucopia Cashiers Valley Smokehouse!
At one of the highest points in the county, this park serves as both an outdoor art museum and scenic natural landmark. Visitors can stroll around this picturesque oasis to experience large-scale works of art while taking advantage of shade under one of its iconic facades – Sphinx Rock.
When it’s time for lunch, head towards the park’s riverside walking trail – it’s an ideal spot for picnickers and offers the chance to spot wildlife like elk or other rare species!
Pack Square Park offers the ideal picnicking spot in any season, providing breathtaking scenic views and peaceful solitude for visitors seeking both. Families love picnicking here with its shady picnic areas perfect for enjoying lunch together before hiking along one of its popular trails. Plus, Shindig on the Green draws many food trucks that bring tasty bites directly to public square.