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Find a beautiful place for a picnic in every single state. Here are the 50 best picnic spots in America!
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Alabama
Gulf State Park
It’s hard to argue with the perfection of white sand beaches for a picnic spot.
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Alaska
Symphony and Eagle Lake
If you’re looking for the best picnic spots near you, bring a blanket and spend the entire day exploring the park.
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Arizona
Papago Park
Beat the heat with a sunrise breakfast picnic.
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Arkansas
Pinnacle Mountain State Park
Get a takeout picnic from a restaurant and hike Pinnacle Mountain for valley views.
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California
La Jolla Cove
In California, head to the “most photographed spot in San Diego,” for the picnic of a lifetime.
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Colorado
Garden of the Gods
If you’re looking for the most beautiful picnic areas in America, Garden of the Gods is a beautiful destination in Colorado and is less crowded than Rocky Mountain National Park.
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Connecticut
Argia Mystic Cruise
Bring your picnic onto a 19th-century schooner for an authentic Connecticut experience.
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Delaware
Bellevue State Park, Wilmington
If you fish, we recommend visiting this stocked pond for a picnic at this state park.
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Florida
Founders Park Beach, Islamorada
The pirate ship playground is perfect for families with kids.
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Georgia
Forsyth Park, Savannah
Explore over 30 acres in historic Savannah before sitting down for a picnic next to the iconic Forsyth Fountain.
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Hawaii
Magic Island Lagoon
This man-made lagoon is the perfect place for families to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the beach.
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Idaho
City of Rocks National Reserve
You can birdwatch and hike in the Silent City of Rocks before enjoying a picnic with a view.
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Illinois
Millennium Park
If you’re searching for entertaining picnic areas in Chicago, grab a Chicago dog and head to the urban oasis in the Lurie Garden in Millennium Park.
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Indiana
Virginia B. Fairfield Art and Nature Park, Indianapolis
There are 100 acres to explore in Indianapolis’s heart–plenty of places for a picnic.
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Iowa
Pikes Peak State Park
A 500-foot bluff overlooks the convergence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers.
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Kansas
Horsethief Canyon, Kanopolis State Park
Enjoy a picnic and a day of hiking or horseback riding in the first state park in Kansas.
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Kentucky
Dinosaur World, Cave City
A once-in-a-lifetime experience – picnicking while surrounded by life-size dinosaurs.
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Louisiana
The End of the World
Grab take out from a neighborhood restaurant and sit among cypress trees at this makeshift park.
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Maine
Acadia National Park
The Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast is a must-visit for anyone in Maine.
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Maryland
Sherwood Gardens, Baltimore
Pack a springtime picnic and head to this secret gem in Baltimore to take in the 80,000 tulips planted throughout the park.
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Massachusetts
Halibut Point State Park
If you’re searching for the best picnic spots with a view, set your picnic blanket on the rocks overlooking the Atlantic – on a cloudless day, you can see Maine.
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Michigan
Esrey Park, Eagle Harbor
Pack a dinner picnic and catch the Northern Lights at this Upper Peninsula park.
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Minnesota
Burlington Bay Beach
Camp and picnic right on the charming shores of Lake Superior.
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Mississippi
Cypress Swamp- Natchez Trace
Take a short 20-minute walk on the boardwalk over the swamp before unpacking your picnic basket near the parking area.
Missouri
Kauffman Legacy Park
Wander around this 2-acre park in Kansas City before finding a spot in the Memorial Garden for an outdoor meal.
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Montana
Avalanche Creek Picnic Area
If there’s one thing western Montana has plenty of, it’s big skies and impressive views.
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Nebraska
Ponca State Park
Make a picnic part of a weekend stay at this Missouri River bluffs state park.
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Nevada
Sand Harbor State Park
Explore rock formations, go swimming, and try kayaking before enjoying a sunset picnic on the beach.
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New Hampshire
Star Island, Isle of Shoals
Explore the early history of the United States with a day trip to Star Island.
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New Mexico
White Sands National Park
Enjoy a picnic at one of America’s coolest national parks, or spend a few days camping.
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New Jersey
Cape May Point State Park
Picnic on the shore of Cape May before heading into the resort town to explore the boardwalk.
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New York
Central Park
Pack a lunch and spend the day exploring one of the most famous parks in the world.
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North Carolina
Stone Mountain Park
Explore the wilderness surrounding a 600-foot granite dome before unpacking your picnic.
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North Dakota
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
There’s no better spot to experience the North Dakota countryside than one of the picnic pavilions in this national park.
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Ohio
Ault Park Cincinnati
Spend an afternoon wandering around this park’s 200-acres with picnic spots overlooking the Little Miami River Valley.
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Oklahoma
Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Sulphur
Picnic after you spend a day boating, fishing, and swimming at Lake Arbuckle in this lovely recreation area.
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Oregon
Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach
Wander around tidepools and birdwatch while you enjoy a picnic on the sand.
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Pennsylvania
Big Pocono State Park
Visit this mountain range after stopping by one of the state’s Amish markets for snacks and handmade crafts.
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Rhode Island
Beavertail State Park, Jamestown
Set up a picnic with classic New England shoreline views.
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South Dakota
Bear Butte State Park
Take your picnic to the top of this geological feature near Sturgis and with spectacular views and rich history as a sacred site.
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South Carolina
Congaree National Park
Rent a canoe in Columbia before taking your picnic onto Cedar Creek and explore this national park by water.
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Tennessee
Shelby Farm Park
You’ll find many activities at this park–horseback riding, a dog beach, kayaking, and even a wandering herd of bison.
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Texas
Barton Creek Greenbelt, Austin
Locals love this South Austin greenbelt, spend the day swimming and picnicking on the river’s shore.
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Utah
Bridal Veil Falls
Take advantage of the grills next to the picnic tables before trekking up the short hike to see this natural waterfall in Provo Canyon.
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Vermont
Trapp Family Lodge
See where the Von Trapp family found Austria in the United States and enjoy an outdoor lunch at the Slayton Pasture Cabin.
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Virginia
Meems Bottom Covered Bridge, Mount Jackson
If you’re researching the best picnic areas, we recommend visiting the longest covered bridge in Virginia. Enjoy a picnic on the shores of the Shenandoah River.
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Washington
Deception Pass State Park
Bring a meal with you as you enjoy the Pacific coastline splendor at this picnic spot.
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Washington D.C
United States National Arboretum
Eat on the grassy slopes before wandering through almost 500 acres of cultivated plant beds.
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West Virginia
Blackwater Falls State Park
Any of the falls and overlooks in this state park will make memorable picnic spots.
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Find the Best Places for Stargazing
Wanna catch some stars on your travels? View our list of the best places for stargazing.
Find the Best Places to Go Stargazing
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Wisconsin
Siskiwit Bay, Cornucopia
Rent a boat in this idyllic lake town and experience Lake Superior from the safety of Siskiwit Bay.
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Wyoming
Vedauwoo Picnic Site
Rock climbers can stop at the picnic site after exploring the granite outcropping nearby.
Featured Image Credit: Kate Hliznitsova on Unsplash