10 fantastic picnic spots in the Utah Valley
Not only does South Fork Park in Provo Canyon have several picnic areas and covered group sites, but it’s also a great place for stream fishing, grilling and some fantastic outdoor fun.
For a day trip and some beautiful scenery, take the trek to Cascade Springs in the Uinta National Forest. Though it’s quite a lengthy drive and requires a small fee, the area boasts some incredible sights, including a trail system, waterfalls, wildlife and hiking opportunities.
Rock Canyon Park in Provo is a fantastic picnicking spot. Not only is it located in the beautiful Rock Canyon, but it also has a playground for little ones, restrooms, a walking trail and plenty of areas to settle down and eat lunch.
If you’re looking for a place to eat and hike, Battle Creek Falls in Pleasant Grove is an excellent choice. Though the picnic area isn’t the most beautiful, Battle Creek Falls provides a simple hike and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great weather.
Reader Loren Chandler once noted on the Daily Herald Facebook page that Bridal Veil Falls is a great picnic spot, and many Daily Herald staffers agreed. Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon is a great picnic spot. Though the falls are pretty popular and you might be in for some company on your picnic, you can’t beat the beauty of the view, or the easy opportunities for hiking provided there.
Also called Novell Children’s Discovery Park and Manila Park, this beautiful park has something for everyone in the family, including tennis courts, a walking path and picnic tables. What really makes Discovery Park so great, though, is the incredible, gigantic wooden playground! If you’re looking for the perfect picnic spot that everyone will enjoy, be sure to check this one out.
With the summer months drifting on, now is the perfect time to enjoy the higher temps and beautiful sunshine with an excellent excuse to stay outside: a picnic!
Here are 10 of our top picks for picnic spots in Utah Valley.
Battle Creek Falls in Pleasant Grove
If you’re looking for a place to eat AND hike, Battle Creek Falls in Pleasant Grove is an excellent choice. Though the picnic area isn’t the most beautiful, Battle Creek Falls provides a simple hike and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great weather.
Location: To find the Battle Creek Falls trailhead, follow 200 South in Pleasant Grove to the east side of town. The street, also known as Battle Creek Drive, will dead end at the trailhead.
Bridal Veil Falls in Provo
Bridal Veil Falls is a great picnic spot for the summer months. Though the Falls are pretty popular and you might be in for some company on your picnic, you can’t beat the beauty of the view, or the easy opportunities for hiking provided there.
Location: About 2.5 miles into Provo, you’ll come across a sign for Nunn’s Park/Bridal Veil Falls. If you follow that turnoff, the parking lot will be right by the road.
Cascade Springs in the Uinta National Forest
For a day trip and some beautiful scenery, consider the trek to Cascade Springs in the Uinta National Forest. Though it’s quite a lengthy drive and requires a small fee, the area boasts some incredible sights, including a trail system, waterfalls, wildlife and hiking opportunities.
Location: Take I-15 from the Utah Valley to the Highland/Alpine exit (Exit 284). From there, you’ll drive east for 8 miles along State Route 92 to a Forest Service entrance station where you’ll need to pay a $6 fee. Continue up the Canyon for another 17 miles until you reach Cascade Scenic Drive. Once there, turn left and drive about 6.5 miles, where you’ll find the Cascade Springs lower parking lot.
Discovery Park in Pleasant Grove
Also called Novell Children’s Discovery Park and Manila Park, this beautiful park has something for everyone in the family, including tennis courts, a walking path and picnic tables. What really makes Discovery Park so great, though, is the incredible, gigantic wooden playground! If you’re looking for the perfect picnic spot that everyone will enjoy, be sure to check this one out.
Location: 1550 N. 100 East in Pleasant Grove
Mt. Timpanogos Park in Orem
If you want a picnic area with a great view, Mt. Timpanogos Park is the place to go. Not only does it boast a variety of picnic spots with fantastic canyon views, but it also has access to the Provo River, walking and jogging paths, restrooms and pavilions. As an added bonus, each summer, the park serves as home to the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival.
Location: Roughly 1 mile from the entrance to Provo Canyon on Hwy. 189, just past Canyon View Park
Paul Ream Wilderness Park in Provo
Another favorite local picnic area is at the Paul Ream Wilderness Park in Provo. Located adjacent to the Provo River Parkway Trail and the Provo River, the park is great for a local getaway and has spots for picnics, barbeques and recreation, including walking paths, a duck pond, a gazebo and a playground.
Location: 1600 W. 500 North in Provo
Rock Canyon Park in Provo
Rock Canyon Park in Provo is also a fantastic picnicking spot. Not only is it located in the beautiful Rock Canyon, but it also has a playground for little ones, restrooms, a walking trail and plenty of areas to settle down and eat lunch.
Location: 2620 N. 1200 East in Provo
South Fork Park in Provo
The list of great picnic spots continues with South Fork Park in Provo Canyon. Not only does South Fork have several picnic areas and covered group sites, but it’s also a great place for stream fishing, grilling and some fantastic outdoor fun.
Location: 4988 N. South Fork Road in Provo
The Swinging Bridge picnic area near Timpanogos Cave
A lesser-known favorite summer picnic spot is the Swinging Bridge picnic area in American Fork Canyon. With easy access to hiking, Timpanogos Cave National Monument, and, of course, the bridge itself, this spot makes for a great warm weather outing destination.
Location: The picnic area is a quarter mile down the canyon from the Timpanogos Cave Visitor’s Center, on the north side of the road. The Canyon View Picnic area is also available across the street from the visitor center with many other areas scattered along North Fork Road.
Upper Falls Park in Provo
Though definitely not the same experience as Provo Canyon’s popular Bridal Veil Falls, Upper Falls Park provides visitors with the opportunity for a fun, short hike, and a little less company along the way. Upper Falls Park is just 15 minutes into the Provo Canyon where you’ll find picnic areas, beautiful mountain views and a nice chance to go fishing. To make things better, the hike to the falls is just 15 minutes from the park.
Location: About 2.5 miles into Provo Canyon, there will be a sign for Nunn’s Park/Bridal Veil Falls. If you follow that turnoff, you’ll pass a parking lot for Bridal Veil Falls and follow a road to the left leading to Nunn’s Park. Go straight through the intersection for another mile and you’ll find Upper Falls Park.
Explore your community!
If you’re still in need of picnicking spots, consider looking up some of your local community parks. Other unique options include picnicking at the Y after a hike, choosing a spot along the Alpine Loop, settling in for lunch at Payson Lakes or even enjoying the outdoors on the Brigham Young University campus or at Thanksgiving Point. Wherever you go, be sure to enjoy the warm weather and wear some sunscreen!