It’s that time of year again!! The summer is here!! A time for everyone to enjoy to the fullest, make memories and have some fun in the sunshine. Summer is the best season for many activities and the best way to spend time is by going for a nice picnic with family and friends. There are many picnic spots like going to the lakes, beaches, shaded forest alcoves, but the perfect one for a picnic is going to the national parks where you can take beautiful pictures and spend your quality time with your loved ones. Here are some popular national parks for a picnic where you can visit this summer.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National park is located in Far West Texas, United States. It combines the mountain wilderness along with the rugged desert terrain and the world’s biggest Permian fossil reef. Most of the trails and terrain in this national park are dry and exposed to hot sunshine but there is a spectacular spot which is hidden at the end of the McKittrick Canyon trail where you feel more peaceful. You can see more maple trees that provide shade and a stream runs through the heart of this park.
If you move towards the park about 3 miles in, you will reach the peak of the park which is a flat trail called the Grotto. It is the calm nook that is covered by a cave-like cliff face and it is the part of an ancient fossil reef. They offer activities like hiking, backpacking, camping, etc. You can experience the canyons and mountains, desert, night skies, and amazing views within this park. This park also has numerous bright green trees and bench seating to enjoy your vacation by going for a picnic.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Northern California is hiding a secret place called Lassen Volcanic National Park. Explore this park’s exploding mountainsides, serene mountain lakes, lunar landscapes, and steaming crevasses with less amount of crowd. This national park is the perfect destination for a picnic. You can go hiking to its summit and then have a picnic at Manzanita Lake. Lassen Volcanic National Park is home to clear mountain lakes, volcanoes, meadows, and fumaroles.
You can see the massive peak in a distant, shimmering lake, a sun-soaked watering area that is lined up with the trees and surrounded by a glorious scenic loop trail. There are endless corners along the trail where you can have your lunch or relax at the picnic tables provided by the camp store. This park is super cool for kayaking at Manzanita Lake. Enjoy your summer vacation at this park with your family and friends.
Everglades National Park
You will not find a better place than Everglades National Park for a picnic. This national park is located in Florida that protects the southern twenty percent of the original Everglades and it is the largest tropical wilderness in the United States. Everglades National Park is mostly flat which makes it an easy and comfortable picnic.
There are plenty of locations in this park along with the tables at the trailheads and side with the lakes and rivers. You will have to park it in the Flamingo area of this park which is around 40 miles southwest of the visitor center which is along the ocean shore. There is also a camp store with many picnic provisions but when you look at the main marina, it is a wide area surrounded by grass. You can see manatees and crocodiles in this park. Everglades National Park offers many activities but it is the best spot for a picnic during summer.
Arches National Park
One of the best things people love about staying in Utah is that they are very close to some amazing national parks. And one such national park which is the perfect place for picnics is Arches National Park. There are many spots for picnicking like panorama point, devil’s garden, delicate arch viewpoint, across the road from balanced rock, and arches visitor center.
This park is also loaded with many stores and shops. A good idea to visit this park is by moderate hiking in the delicate arch trail that leads to the rocky terrain along the cliff where you can reach the most iconic sights. The hike is not very long but it is worthwhile for a picnic. And all the picnic spots have tables and washrooms nearby. Even though this park is crowded, there are always plenty of rooms where you have a peaceful night.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is a park that is fully filled with visitors from everywhere in the world, especially during the summer months. This park offers a number of picnic spots throughout the park. Each and every spot has tables and washrooms nearby. There is a picnic area called Madison which is the only place that offers potable water.
This park is a prime picnic territory with amazing sceneries. The best option is to park it alongside Yellowstone Lake which is near the spectacular Lake Yellowstone Hotel. The views of the glacial lake are amazing and incredibly serene. There is something which is a bit tougher, that is by hiking into Lamar Valley and you can take your food to enjoy your meal in a calm meadow. Most of the trails here are less crowded than other destinations in the Yellowstone like Grand Prismatic Spring, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Old Faithful but they are easy to do. And you will have to protect yourself from wildlife.
Indiana Dunes National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park is America’s newest park which is also a picnic paradise. With 15 miles of sandy shoreline along with Lake Michigan, there are many beaches on which you can stay longer and there are also many picnic shelters with tables where you can choose from along with the restroom facilities.
The West Beach picnic area is located right along the beach where you can go swimming and you can go hiking through the West Beach Trail System where you can see beautiful lake views from the top of Dunes Succession Trail. If you feel like going for more hiking you can lead to the Glenwood Dunes area along with the picnic shelter and you can see numerous trails to choose from.
Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park is the home for natural beauty which is located in Virginia. Skyline Drive is one of the most spectacular scenic drives in the US and when you move along the way you can see a few stops for a picnic. The camp stores and the visitor center which is near the picnic areas are equipped with tables and modern restroom facilities. The most important thing is that you can see amazing views of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley from the picnic spots.
You can go hiking from the summit trail to Hawksbill Mountain which is not too long or strange. You can also see the panoramic views of the mountain crest, the Skyline Drive, and the sea of green trees. There is also a shaded wooden structure up in this park with a seating facility and there are plenty of forest alcoves that are lined up with trees which is picnic perfect.