It’s that time of year again: picnic season in Iowa! With all this sunshine and good weather, it would be a shame to not go on at least one picnic this summer. So grab a blanket, a basket packed with your favorite goodies and your best picnicking buddies, and head outdoors to check out these 10 absolutely gorgeous picnic spots in Iowa.
- Eagle Point Park, Dubuque
SD Dirk/Flickr This public park offers pavilions, picnic tables, grills, restrooms, play equipment, and more to make your family picnic one for the books - not to mention the amazing view as you look out over the bluff into three different states.
- McFarland Park, Ames
Scott McLeod/Flickr McFarland Park is a 200-acre area that offers a fishing dock and deck, picnic sites and grills, and plenty of trails to keep you busy on your next outing.
- Backbone State Park, Strawberry Point
Erin Sweeney/Flickr Iowa’s oldest state park, Backbone offers a gorgeous picnic area, both indoor and outdoor, complete with a playground, restroom, beach access, concessions, and much more.
- Central College Pond, Pella
Larry Bradshaw/Flickr Pella is such a beautiful little town, and there are a ton of parks to picnic at, such as: Brinkhoff Park, Brook Circle Park, Central Park, and more. Personally, I think a little blanket on the grass next to the pond is a perfect spot for a picnic. And while you’re there, check out the Molengracht Canal!
- Stone State Park, Sioux City
Brian Stalter/Flickr Stone State Park is a scenic backdrop for a fun, family excursion. There are open shelters and picnic areas located throughout the park, which offer beautiful views of the Loess Hills and surrounding area. There are also bathrooms, trails, a nature center, and much more to keep everyone busy.
- Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Des Moines
Jason Mrachina/Flickr The Pappajohn Sculpture Park is a perfect place for an urban picnic. Grab a blanket and some food, and head downtown for a fun meal outdoors as you take in the amazing art.
- Julien Dubuque Monument, Dubuque
SD Dirk/Flickr The monument, which is situated at the top of a bluff overlooking the river, gives an absolutely amazing view as you sit in the grass, enjoying a nice picnic with your friends.
- Leach Park, Bettendorf
Dustin Oliver/Flickr Leach Park sits right next to the river, and offers two picnic shelters with grills, a boat launch, fishing, and trail. This is the perfect spot to go for a summer afternoon picnic with your family or friends!
- Lake Manawa State Park, Council Bluffs
Beatrice Murch/Flickr Lake Manawa has many different picnic shelters, including one with kitchen facilities. The area also offers swimming, boating, fishing, trails, and much more.
- Pikes Peak State Park, McGregor
U.S. Department of Agriculture/Flickr Pikes Peak is one of Iowa’s most beautiful state parks. The area offers open picnic shelters as well as closed, gazebo areas, but personally I would prefer to just sit down at the top of this bluff and look out over the river as I enjoy a nice meal with my loved ones.
There’s no better way to celebrate summer than a good picnic – just don’t forget the bug spray! Which one of these spots will you be hitting up first?
SD Dirk/Flickr
This public park offers pavilions, picnic tables, grills, restrooms, play equipment, and more to make your family picnic one for the books - not to mention the amazing view as you look out over the bluff into three different states.
Scott McLeod/Flickr
McFarland Park is a 200-acre area that offers a fishing dock and deck, picnic sites and grills, and plenty of trails to keep you busy on your next outing.
Erin Sweeney/Flickr
Iowa’s oldest state park, Backbone offers a gorgeous picnic area, both indoor and outdoor, complete with a playground, restroom, beach access, concessions, and much more.
Larry Bradshaw/Flickr
Pella is such a beautiful little town, and there are a ton of parks to picnic at, such as: Brinkhoff Park, Brook Circle Park, Central Park, and more. Personally, I think a little blanket on the grass next to the pond is a perfect spot for a picnic. And while you’re there, check out the Molengracht Canal!
Brian Stalter/Flickr
Stone State Park is a scenic backdrop for a fun, family excursion. There are open shelters and picnic areas located throughout the park, which offer beautiful views of the Loess Hills and surrounding area. There are also bathrooms, trails, a nature center, and much more to keep everyone busy.
Jason Mrachina/Flickr
The Pappajohn Sculpture Park is a perfect place for an urban picnic. Grab a blanket and some food, and head downtown for a fun meal outdoors as you take in the amazing art.
The monument, which is situated at the top of a bluff overlooking the river, gives an absolutely amazing view as you sit in the grass, enjoying a nice picnic with your friends.
Dustin Oliver/Flickr
Leach Park sits right next to the river, and offers two picnic shelters with grills, a boat launch, fishing, and trail. This is the perfect spot to go for a summer afternoon picnic with your family or friends!
Beatrice Murch/Flickr
Lake Manawa has many different picnic shelters, including one with kitchen facilities. The area also offers swimming, boating, fishing, trails, and much more.
U.S. Department of Agriculture/Flickr
Pikes Peak is one of Iowa’s most beautiful state parks. The area offers open picnic shelters as well as closed, gazebo areas, but personally I would prefer to just sit down at the top of this bluff and look out over the river as I enjoy a nice meal with my loved ones.
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