Top 10 Southeast Picnic Spots in the United States

Picnic season is upon us and seeking the best picnic location is a sport for many. The following are the 10 best picnic locations in the Southeast United States. Organized by state, they’re evaluated by scenery, accessibility, and amenities.


West Virginia

The Highland Scenic Highway, a designated National Scenic Byway, has four developed scenic overlooks each with picnic tables, rest rooms, and a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The Highland Scenic Highway is the region's highest road - at 4,500 feet above sea level. Interested in a little activity after your meal? Many trailheads are located near each overlook.

North Carolina

Falls Lake State Recreation area, near Wake Forest, offers picnic areas at several locations including:

· Beaverdam
· Highway 50
· Rollingview
· Sandling Beach

All four areas offer outdoor grills, drinking water, restrooms, and tables.

South Carolina

South Carolina is one of those amazing states that simply begs to be explored, however many of the state parks require reservations for the picnic shelters. One spectacular location, available without reservation is Chattooga Picnic Area located in Sumter National Forest. A grand stone and timber picnic shelter provides a reprieve from the summer heat and a curving boardwalk meanders beside a cool streamside forest.

Georgia

Welcome to the rolling green hills of the Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest. Visit the Brasstown Bald Picnic area to take part in all that the forest has to offer. Brasstown Bald offers magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and access to several trailheads ranging in difficulty from easy to moderately hard. The visitor’s center, a half-mile hike from the picnic area, offers a view from atop the highest mountain in the forest.

Florida

Head to the southernmost tip of Florida and you’ll run into a chain of barrier islands extending off the southern tip of Florida in warm, tropical waters otherwise known as the Florida Keys. Look no further than John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo. This park features three picnic and swimming areas, including Cannon Beach where you can find the remnants of an early Spanish shipwreck about 100 feet offshore. Far Beach is the place to relax beneath palm trees and swim in calm waters but the main attraction is an underwater park where you can view the coral reefs and sea grass beds by snorkeling, scuba diving, or taking a glass bottom boat tour.

Alabama

Monte Sano State Park Picnic Area offers three picnic areas that include playgrounds, hiking and biking trails, restrooms, grills, and wheelchair access. Additionally the park offers fishing, a space and rocket center complete with an IMAX theatre, and if golf is your thing then bring your clubs and play a few holes on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.

Tennessee

Pinson Mounds State Park consists of at least 15 earthen mounds, a geometric enclosure, habitation areas and related earthworks in an area that incorporates almost 1,200 acres. Pinson Mounds is a national historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In addition to the archeological wonders, the park offers 24 individual picnic areas. Each picnic spot has a table that seats six to eight people and a grill. There are also two large picnic shelters that can accommodate up to 50 people each.

Kentucky

Mammoth Caves National Park. Eat underground? No. But the Mammoth Caves National Park offers Picnic sites at several locations in the park. The Headquarters Picnic Area is located north of the main Visitor Center parking area. Picnic tables are also available at Maple Springs Day-Use Area, Houchins Ferry Picnic Shelter, Dennison Ferry Day-Use Area and Sloan's Crossing Pond.
After your picnic you can take advantage of the many activities that Mammoth Caves has to offer. Of course you can take one of the many cave tours; you can hike, bike, ride your horse, canoe and kayak, take a riverboat ride, watch a film, and stay late to enjoy a campfire program.

Mississippi

Chewalla Lake Recreation Area, located inside Holly Springs National Forest is an ideal setting for family fun and fishing. Chewalla Lake is for those want a natural, tranquil experience with those important amenities that make it easy to please the entire family. Picnic, fish, hike, picnic, or simply lie on the lawn and enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds, Chewalla Lake offers it all.
Picnickers will enjoy each of Chewalla Lake's 40 picnic units, which feature a table and grill and a nearby trash receptacle. A covered group picnic pavilion sheltering eight tables can be reserved for $40. The picnic area is handicapped accessible.



Louisiana

Slip out of the big easy and visit Lake D'Arbonne State Park. This 655 acre park comes complete with pine forests, rolling hills, five fishing piers, and a beautiful lake. The visitor’s center offers a swimming pool and a tennis complex. Picnic pavilions are available, or bring your favorite blanket and enjoy this fantastic park the old fashioned way.