Top 20 Picnic Spots in the Blue Ridge Mountains

One of our favorite places to picnic and watch the sunset is Max Patch in North Carolina.  Max Patch offers nearly 360 degree views, and a fairly short hike to the top of this mountain bald offering incredible views of the surrounding Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains.  Both Sunrises and Sunsets here are exceptional.

Waterrock Knob, at MP451.2 is a popular spot for picnics, especially at sunset.   The easy to access parking lot offers tremendous views, places for kids to play, and picnic tables.   Many often grab food on the way up in Maggie Valley, sit at one of the many picnic tables, and watch the sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Linville Falls, located at MP317 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, has a riverside picnic area, near the Visitor Center that makes for a beautiful and relaxing spot to have a picnic.  You can also hike down to one of the viewing areas of the Falls as well, for a more up close picnic near the falls.  Just be aware, these areas are more intended for viewing, than picnics and you won't find picnic tables.

Craggy Gardens offers a few locations for picnics.  The main one being the beautiful Craggy Picnic area, located off a short side road just before the visitor center at MP355 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  

The picnic area has numerous picnic tables and areas, along with access to hiking trails.  For a picnic with more scenic views, hike to the top of Craggy Pinnacle Trail.  This is also an amazing spot for both sunrises and sunsets.

Biltmore is FULL of many different spots to enjoy a picnic, with thousands of acres to explore.   While there is no official picnic area, you can bring a blanket and picnic nearly anywhere on the property, including on the numerous hiking trails, in the gardens, along the creeks and streams, or along the river.   Two of our favorite spots include the Lagoon area (pictured above), or near the Diana statue facing Biltmore House.

At Mount Mitchell, located at MP355 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, you can picnic on the highest peak in North Carolina.  The Mount Mitchell picnic area has two shelters with fireplaces, and more than 40 picnic tables.  The picnic area is first come first serve, and free to use.  

Be sure to bring some extra clothes, as it can often be much colder at the top, and windy!

Located near Burnsville NC and next to the South Toe River, Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area is an excellent spot for a family picnic.   The picnic area has 19 tables and grills, and is river side, providing relaxing sounds and views, and plenty of mountain swimming and fishing as well.

Have a picnic, surrounded my incredible views at over 5,500 foot in elevation!   Whitetop Mountain is the second highest peak in Virginia, and the peak is accessible by an access road.  You can literally drive to the top, and have a picnic with amazing views!

Located at the base of Blood Mountain in the heart of Chattahoochee National Forest, Vogel State Park is one of the oldest and most popular state parks in the state.  The Park's 22 acre lake is very popular, and makes for a wonderful place for a picnic.  There are multiple picnic shelters around the lake, and parking as well.   There are also a number of hiking trails and water activities, including a beach area.

Located near Boone and Blowing Rock NC, and directly off the Blue Ridge Parkway (MP297), Julian Price Park is a beautiful and peaceful spot for a picnic outing.   The park is also a popular location for hiking, fishing, canoeing/kayaking, and camping as well.    The 47 acre lake is the key attraction and is accessible from the 100 site picnic area via area trails.

The scenic drive between the Blue Ridge Parkway and Brevard, North Carolina is beautiful, and full of things to see, including waterfalls, the Cradle of Forestry, and numerous hiking trails.  The majority of the road, runs creekside, and all along the road side are picnic tables, each providing its own unique view of the creek and surrounding mountains.   

You'll have to hike for this one, it's only 2 miles roundtrip, but steep.   Preacher's Rock in Georgia is on the Appalachian Trail, and provides some incredible long distance scenic views at the top.  Hang out, enjoy your picnic, the views, and relax in the sun.  

Pink Beds, in Pisgah National Forest NC, is not only a great hiking trail, but across from the trail is a very nice picnic area, featuring 21 picnic tables and 2 shelters.   The picnic area is very popular, so expect crowds, especially on the weekends during peak season.  Pink Beds is a great spot for a family picnic, followed by a great hike along the Pink Beds trail.

One of the most popular picnic areas and probably the most visited in the Blue Ridge Mountains is the Chimneys Picnic Area, located off Highway 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.   The area is right next to the West Prong Little Pigeon River, and offers water access via the loop road.  There are 68 picnic areas, many very close to the water.  Each has picnic table, and heavy duty grill.    This area is absolutely beautiful year round, and even has its own nature/hiking trail.

The Big Creek Picnic area is our own personal favorite place to have a picnic.  The Picnic area is just off from the Parking area, and creekside.   Big Creek is the smallest picnic area in the Great Smoky Mountains, with only 10 picnic sites, but it's one of the most beautiful picnic areas in the park.   Each site has a heavy duty grill, and most are right next to Big Creek.

Doughton Park, located right off the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the oldest Parkway campgrounds, and offers excellent long distance views from the picnic area.  

Chimney Rock State Park, near Lake Lure NC, makes for a wonderful day trip full of hiking, incredible views, exploration, and waterfalls.   During your visit, there are number of different picnic options including the group picnic area and tables at the Sky Lounge Deli that offer amazing views.  For a real picnic experience, bring your own picnic or grab hiker lunches at the Sky Lounge Deli, and find your own unique spot on one of the numerous trails in the park.

One of the most famous and most photographed structures on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Mabry Mill (MP169) offers hiking, camping, and picnicking.  The area around Mabry Mill contains three different picnic areas, and of course you can find your own on many of the area trails. 

One of the most popular waterfalls on the Blue Ridge Parkway is Crabtree Falls.   For a picnic, you can choose to hang out at the dedicated picnic area near the campground and parking area, or hike your picnic down to the falls themselves for a more waterside and natural picnic.  Either way, you can't go wrong.  The area, hike and waterfall itself are wonderful!

The Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest is 3,800 acres of natural old growth forest.  The only way to see the forest, and the amazing 400 year old trees is by using a 2-mile loop trail.   At the trailhead, is a beautiful picnic area and flush toilets near near the parking area.   This is a visit, picnic and hike you will love!