It’s summer, and that means spending as much time outdoors as possible. A picnic can help you achieve that goal. But first you’ve got to pick the right place to spread out that blanket and basket. We’ve discovered some really special spots all over Oregon that will serve your picnicking needs – whether you’re looking for absolute seclusion, relaxation, popular city parks, or more adventurous surroundings.
- Abacela Vineyards & Winery, Roseburg
Al Case/Flickr Why not take your picnic to an Oregon winery? Pick up a bottle of Rioja-inspired wine from Abacela in Roseburg and pack a spread of cheeses and fruits that pair well with it. Then enjoy a self-guided tour of the vineyards.
- Bradley State Scenic Viewpoint
oregonstateparks.org Just west of Clastskanie, sits a very private picnicking area, where you can take in the view of the Columbia River Gorge.
- Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, Yachats
Anne Swoboda/Flickr
- Cascade Locks Marine Park
Photo Credit Plenty of picnic benches can be found at this spot, which also provides a great access point to a bridge, which takes you to amazing vistas of the water.
- Devil’s Lake State Recreation Area, Lincoln City
oregonstateparks.org After you’ve canoed across this lake, have a picnic at the campground, found on the west shore. It’s an interesting mix of outdoorsy, smack in the middle of the city.
- Reed College, Portland
dmcdevit/Flickr One doesn’t tend to think of a college campus as the ideal place for a picnic, but if you’ve been to the grounds of Reed, you can probably see the potential. With nearby Reed Lake and endless grassy fields, the possibilities are many.
- Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach
Movement Six/Flickr Get there early to reserve your blanket space and make sure you bring something warm to sip on in a thermos and you’re set for a fun-filled beach picnic day.
- Astoria Column
Anne Swoboda/Flickr High on the grounds of the Astoria Column is where you’ll find this spectacular picnic views.
- Hoyt Arboretum, Portland
Doug Kerr/Flickr
Lithia Park, Ashland
Munson Creek Falls State Natural Site
penjelly/Flickr Picnic in an ancient rain forest? Why not? Stand in awe underneath the world’s second-largest spruce tree, be inspired by the drive of the salmon swimming up stream to spawn, and enjoy the soothing nature of the Munson Creek Falls, the tallest waterfall on the Coast Range. Be warned though, there is no restroom at this site.
- Skinner Butte Park, Eugene
Rick Obst/Flickr Once you’ve worked up an appetite hiking or rock climbing up the butte, settle in for relaxing picnic at the sprawling park, just outside of downtown Eugene.
- Tumalo State Park, near Bend
oregonstateparks.org Alongside the powerful Deschutes River just outside Bend, this spot offers a mix of trout streams, lakes, hiking and biking trails, and, of course, picnicking space.
- Waterfront Park, Portland
Tress/Flickr If you don’t mind the crowds that inevitably occupy this park, this can be nice place to set up a riverside picnic.
We tried to give you a solid mix of choices for picnicking, but maybe you have some favorite spots you’d like to share. Please leave your suggestions in the comments below!
Al Case/Flickr
Why not take your picnic to an Oregon winery? Pick up a bottle of Rioja-inspired wine from Abacela in Roseburg and pack a spread of cheeses and fruits that pair well with it. Then enjoy a self-guided tour of the vineyards.
oregonstateparks.org
Just west of Clastskanie, sits a very private picnicking area, where you can take in the view of the Columbia River Gorge.
Anne Swoboda/Flickr
Photo Credit
Plenty of picnic benches can be found at this spot, which also provides a great access point to a bridge, which takes you to amazing vistas of the water.
After you’ve canoed across this lake, have a picnic at the campground, found on the west shore. It’s an interesting mix of outdoorsy, smack in the middle of the city.
dmcdevit/Flickr
One doesn’t tend to think of a college campus as the ideal place for a picnic, but if you’ve been to the grounds of Reed, you can probably see the potential. With nearby Reed Lake and endless grassy fields, the possibilities are many.
Movement Six/Flickr
Get there early to reserve your blanket space and make sure you bring something warm to sip on in a thermos and you’re set for a fun-filled beach picnic day.
High on the grounds of the Astoria Column is where you’ll find this spectacular picnic views.
Doug Kerr/Flickr
penjelly/Flickr
Picnic in an ancient rain forest? Why not? Stand in awe underneath the world’s second-largest spruce tree, be inspired by the drive of the salmon swimming up stream to spawn, and enjoy the soothing nature of the Munson Creek Falls, the tallest waterfall on the Coast Range. Be warned though, there is no restroom at this site.
Rick Obst/Flickr
Once you’ve worked up an appetite hiking or rock climbing up the butte, settle in for relaxing picnic at the sprawling park, just outside of downtown Eugene.
Alongside the powerful Deschutes River just outside Bend, this spot offers a mix of trout streams, lakes, hiking and biking trails, and, of course, picnicking space.
Tress/Flickr
If you don’t mind the crowds that inevitably occupy this park, this can be nice place to set up a riverside picnic.
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