Prime Picnic Areas in Upstate New York

Summers don’t last long in upstate New York. Don’t waste a moment of sunshine; get outside and go on a picnic! Whether you want to reward yourself after a long hike or plan a socially-distant meetup with friends, dining al fresco is one of the season’s great joys.

To ensure you have a primo picnic, it’s important to keep some things in mind:

What to pack (besides the food!)

• Large blanket (unless your picnic spot has tables)
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Wet wipes
• Small first aid kit
• Bug spray

Food safety

• Avoid packing food that can spoil like mayonnaise-based dressings, lettuce, or cut fruit. Opt instead for pasta salad or coleslaw dressed with vinaigrette, pesto, or olive oil and vinegar.
• Pack food in an insulated backpack or tote. Wicker picnic baskets are charming, but not always practical. If you’re hiking to a picnic spot, make sure you can easily carry your food and keep it cold.
• Keep it simple. Cut veggies like cucumbers, carrots, celery, and peppers are healthy, easy to eat, and don’t require cutlery. Ditto for baguettes, sliced, cured meat like salami, hard cheese, nuts, dried fruit, popcorn, and granola bars. It doesn’t have to be fancy to be fun.

Respect the environment

• Plan to carry in and carry out. Not all picnic areas have trash cans or recycling bins. Expect to not only carry your food and supplies to the picnic site, but also to carry it out.
• Think green. Use eco-friendly plates and utensils, reusable plastic containers, and cloth napkins. Recycle bottles or bring reusable water bottles and always dispose of trash properly.

Keep an eye on the sky

• Check the weather report and keep an eye out for pop-up thunderstorms.
• If you’re hiking to a location, make sure a friend or family member back home knows where you’re going and when you expect to return.

Ready to go? Great! But just before you head out, be sure to check out the location’s website for information on COVID-19 restrictions, fees, equipment rentals, parking, pet policies, and other details, as these may have been updated since this guide was published.

CAPITAL REGION

Albany County

Falls View Park
North Mohawk Street
Cohoes, NY 12047

Falls View Park, home to the scenic and majestic Cohoes Falls, is a great spot for picnics. The bi-level park features a 192-foot pedestrian bridge, interpretive signage highlighting the geological, educational, and historical significance of the area, an amphitheater, picnic area, and fishing platform.

Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
56 Game Farm Road
Delmar, NY 12054
(518) 475-0291

With 450 acres of forest, wetlands, and fields that are home to a variety of wildlife, Five Rivers is a natural gem and a lovely, handicap-accessible backdrop for a picnic. It features miles of nature trails and an educational visitors’ center that offers classes, maps, brochures, and live and stuffed wildlife displays.

Thacher State Park
1 Hailes Cave Road
Voorheesville, NY 12186
(518) 872-1237

John Boyd Thacher Park, located west of Albany, offers stunning panoramic views along the cliffs of the Helderberg Escarpment, handicap-accessible picnic pavilions and tables, grills, ball fields, volleyball courts, playgrounds, and miles of hiking trails.

Washington Park
State and Willett Streets
Albany, NY  12210
(518) 434-5699

This beautifully maintained and historic 84-acre park, often referred to as the Central Park of Albany, is an oasis of nature in an urban environment. It also sports a children’s playground, a lake stocked with fish, historic monuments and statues, and bike and pedestrian paths.

Columbia County

Clermont State Historic Site
87 Clermont Avenue
Germantown, NY 12526
(518) 537-4240

The Clermont State Historic Site is home to five miles of trails, the former estate of the Livingston family, and four unique gardens: the Walled Garden, South Spring Garden, Upper Garden and the Wilderness Garden. Come for a slice of history and a walk amidst magnificent gardens, then stay for a picnic!

Lake Taghkanic State Park
1528 Route 82
Ancram, NY 12502
(518) 851-3631

Equipped with a picnic pavilion and two beaches, Lake Taghkanic State Park is an ideal spot for outdoor fun. Visitors can enjoy hiking, swimming, fishing, and biking.

Olana State Historic Site
5720 Route 9G
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-0135

A trip to Olana offers visitors a rich experience combining the worlds of art and nature. The 250-acre site is the home and estate of Frederic Church, a celebrated Hudson River School painter. In addition to picnicking, you can take a self-guided walking tour of the magnificent grounds or go birding, fishing, or kayaking (permits may be required). Rensselaer County

Cherry Plain State Park
10 State Park Road
Petersburg, NY 12138
(518) 733-5400

Cherry Plain State Park offers 175 acres and numerous nature trails that can be explored by foot, bicycle, or horseback. Picnic tables and pavilions are available.

Grafton Lake State Park

100 Grafton Lakes State Park Way
Cropseyville, NY 12052
(518) 279-1155

In addition to its 25 miles of park trails and six ponds, Grafton Lakes Park offers handicap-accessible picnic pavilions and tables, as well as rich opportunities for viewing wildlife, hiking, swimming, boating, horseback riding, and fishing.

Schodack Island State Park
1 Schodack Island Way
Schodack Landing, NY 12156
(518) 732-0187

Situated just south of Albany on the eastern shore of the Hudson River, the picturesque Schodack Island State Park covers more than 1,000 acres and includes eight miles of multi-use trails, a bird conservation area, campsites, a canoe/kayak launch site, and picnic tables and grills.

Saratoga County

Moreau Lake State Park
605 Old Saratoga Road
Gansevoort, NY 12831
(518) 793-0511

If you like a variety of activities to complement your picnic meal, Moreau Lake may be a prime spot to consider. The site features picnic tables and pavilions, nature trails for hiking and biking, and a swimming beach.

Peebles Island State Park
1 Delaware Ave.
Waterford, NY 12188
(518) 584-2000

Enjoy being near water? You will love the view of the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers – as well as the sound of the rapids and waterfalls – at the 190-acre Peebles Island State Park. There, you will find a handicap-accessible picnic pavilion and tables, as well as wooded nature trails, and fishing and swimming access.

Saratoga National Historical Park
648 Route 32
Stillwater, NY 12170
(518) 670-2985

If you’d like to include a little history lesson in your picnic plans, then Saratoga National Historical Park is a natural choice. The park, which includes four distinct parts – the Saratoga Battlefield in Stillwater, the General Philip Schuyler House in Schuylerville, Victory Woods, and the Saratoga Monument – offers visitors a glimpse of Colonial life and insights into one of the most significant battles in the Revolutionary War. In addition, the 4-mile Wilkinson Trail provides a great view of the mountains.

Saratoga Spa State Park
19 Roosevelt Drive
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(518) 584-2535

A National Historic Landmark noted for the healing benefits of its mineral springs, Saratoga Spa State Park is known as much for its natural beauty as for the surrounding classical architecture. It offers expansive and varied picnic options, including ADA-accessible picnic pavilions and tables. There are also multiple opportunities for recreation, including biking, tennis, hiking, golf, swimming, and bird watching.
Schenectady County

Schenectady County

Central Park
500 Iroquois Way
Schenectady, NY 12309
(518) 382-5151

Famous for its Rose Garden and extensive tennis facilities, Central Park also features numerous picnic areas and pavilions, paddle boats and fishing on Iroquois Lake, a concert stage, swimming pools, ballfields, disc and Frisbee golf courses, and basketball courts. There’s even a dog park for Fido!

Indian Meadows Park
155 Droms Road
Schenectady, NY 12302
(518) 399-6030

Located in a secluded and tranquil wooded area, Indian Meadows Park is an ideal spot for a nature walk and picnic. It also features basketball courts and a unique playground patterned after a treehouse.

Lions Park
Rosendale Road
Niskayuna, NY
(518) 386-4504

Easily accessible to the Mohawk-Hudson Bike Trail, Lions Park offers picnic areas with scenic views of the Mohawk River and canoe/kayak access sites. It is also home to a restored turn-of-the-century train depot.

Schoharie County

Mine Kill State Park
North Blenheim, NY 12131
(518) 827-6111

If you’re looking for a scenic picnic setting that also has a multitude of recreational options, look no further than Mine Kill State Park. A natural playground for anglers, swimmers, kayakers, and boaters, the park features multiple swimming pools, a picturesque reservoir, and an impressive 80-foot waterfall. Landlubbers will enjoy the eight miles of hiking/biking trails, a disc golf course, as well as the handicap-accessible picnic pavilions and tables.

George Landis Arboretum
174 Lape Road, Esperance, NY
(518) 875-6935

With sites ranging from bog gardens and a native plant trail to an old farmhouse and quarry gardens, the Landis Arboretum is well worth a visit. Take your pick from 15 miles of trails along woodlands and wetlands and then enjoy your lunch at one of the picnic tables that are up for grabs. If you have your smartphone, you can activate the QR-coded signs along the Native Plant Trail and listen to the creator of the trail describe what you’re viewing. Review the visitor guidelines before you get there.

NORTH COUNTRY

Clinton County

Cumberland Bay State Park
152 Cumberland Head Rd
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
(518) 563-5240

Located on the western shore of Lake Champlain, the 350- acre park features a large, natural sand beach, playground, and open green space. There are plenty of tables and grills making it a perfect summertime picnic spot.

Macomb Reservation State Park
201 Campsite Rd
Schuyler Falls, NY 12985
(518) 643-9952

This tranquil state park is nestled along the Salmon River. Bring your fishing poles or take a self-guided walk on the nature trail. Toss a ball or Frisbee in the large playing fields before you tuck in to your riverside picnic.

Franklin County

Malone Memorial Recreation Park
Duane St.
Malone, NY 12953
(518) 483-3760

Take a dip in Rotary Lake or do some bird watching. Visitors to the park enjoy swimming, playgrounds, tennis courts, softball diamonds, volleyball, picnic areas, and an ice rink.

Tupper Lake Municipal Park
Demars Blvd.
Tupper Lake, NY 12986
(518) 359-3328

Talk a walk around Raquette Pond or even do a little skateboarding to work up an appetite, then take a seat and enjoy a waterfront picnic. If you stay late enough, you can take in the sunset vista overlooking the Adirondacks.

Warren County

Warren County Fish Hatchery
145 Echo Lake Road
Warrensburg, NY 12885
(518) 623-5576

For a unique picnicking experience along the Hudson River, consider the Warren County Fish Hatchery, located in the town of Warrensburg. The site offers a large open area for games and activities, a play area for kids, and canoe access.

HUDSON VALLEY

Dutchess County

Walkway over the Hudson State Historic Park
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Once an abandoned railroad bridge, the Walkway over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie has been transformed into the longest elevated pedestrian (and bicycling) bridge in the world. There, visitors can ride a glass elevator up to the park to enjoy spectacular scenic views of the Hudson River guided by interpretive signs and a Talkway Over the Walkway cell phone tour. Picnic tables and parking are available near both ends of the bridge.

Innisfree Garden
Millbrook, NY
(845) 677-8000

Based on traditional principles of Chinese and Japanese gardening design and created with an architect’s eye, Innisfree Garden is 150 acres of pure, meandering beauty. The setting takes about 90 minutes to explore at a leisurely pace and offers a lake, mist waterfalls and water sculptures, a circular grotto, and scenic views of the Hudson Valley, as well as a cornucopia of flowering plants and lush vegetation. An open-air picnic site is located between the visitor checkpoint, parking area, and the lake, and some of the tables are situated to overlook the garden. Be sure to check the website for hours, admission fees, and policies.

Ulster County

Minnewaska State Park
5281 Route 44-55
Kerhonkson, NY 12446
(845) 255-0752

The striking Shawangunk Mountains are the backdrop for this state park, which boasts a number of waterfalls, three lakes, dramatic cliffs, and carriageways and walkways for hiking and biking. Picnicking, swimming, and boating opportunities are also available.

Shaupeneak Ridge
Esopus, NY

Home to Lake Louise and part of the Marlboro Mountains, Shaupeneak Ridge offers a 2.2-mile trail around the lake that is suitable for both young and old. It also offers excellent picnicking and birding opportunities, as well as hiking and mountain-biking trails that range from woodlands to wildflower-strewn grasslands and interesting rock formations. Find yourself a picturesque spot and claim it as your picnic site!

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