Picnics are a fun change of pace for any family meal, gathering of friends, or romantic date. Not only do you get to enjoy delicious food, you also get to take in the sights and sounds of nature. Many of the picnic spots in Peoria offer beautiful scenery and fun activities to make a full day of your adventure. So, the next time you’re looking for a fun-filled or special picnic spot, try one of these five great spots to have a picnic in and around the Peoria, Arizona, area.

Pioneer Community Park

“girl in pink and white floral dress eating bread” used with permission via Unsplash by noor vasquez

Pioneer Park is a fantastic spot to host a picnic-focused outdoor party or gathering. At Pioneer Community Park, you can find a cozy spot on the open grass or along the waterfront for an intimate family picnic. If you need some room to spread out, grab a table at one of the on-site picnic ramadas, as long as they haven’t been reserved by other park visitors. You can reserve one of the large picnic ramadas in the park. The smaller shelters accommodate 20 people, while the larger ones can fit up to 40. 

If you didn’t plan on having a picnic and need some food, you can head to the on-site concession stand that’s located right in the center of the ball fields. This park offers plenty of activities to turn a simple picnic into a day of fun. Let the kids cool off at the splash pad, play on the jungle gym, practice their swing at the baseball fields, or fish at the 5-acre lake. Don’t forget your pup at home because they can run around at the on-site dog park.  

Rio Vista Community Park

Rio Vista Community Park has 52 acres of sporting fields, walking paths, and picnic spots. Like Pioneer Community Park, Rio Vista is a wonderful spot for a picnic if you want to make a day of it. Play catch or a quick game of baseball on one of the fields, practice your swing at the batting cages, have a friendly game of beach volleyball, fish in the lake, or take a nice stroll around the park.

When it’s time to eat, find a spot on the grass outside of the ball fields. Or, set up in a picnic ramada. There are 15 shelters on-site, many with barbecue grills nearby that you can use to cook up fresh burgers and hot dogs. 

The ramadas are scattered throughout the park, so you can find one that’s close to everything you need. For instance, if you wanted to be closer to the ball fields, there are a few ramadas right next to the big four fields. If you’d rather be near the lake, then you’ll find a few along the waterfront. And if you want to be close to the kids on the playground, there’s a convenient circle of ramadas right next door.

Lake Pleasant Regional Park

Lake Pleasant is just one of the natural gems in the Peoria area, and it provides a unique spot to have a picnic. You can make a day of picnicking and enjoying nature at this regional park, exploring the trails, learning something new at the nature center, taking a boat out on the lake, or scuba diving in the water. 

You can also take a kayak or canoe on the lake and search for the perfect intimate picnic spot with the family or a romantic partner. This park is also perfect for evening picnics where you can stargaze while you eat. There are also many spots along the many hiking trails where you can stop for a picnic and enjoy the scenic desert landscape in the distance.

Calderwood Butte Trail

Calderwood Butte Trail is a relatively short hike along a moderate terrain. This 1.5-mile loop takes you up above the North Peoria neighborhoods you know and love. Going on this hike offers fantastic views of the mountains in the distance and the suburban landscape of Peoria. On the trail, you’re rewarded with the sights of really cool cacti and other natural desert plants, as well as a plethora of colorful wildflowers in the spring. You can also see glimpses of the Aqua Fria River and Lake Pleasant. 

But once you get to the top, keep going a little further to find a few park benches scatted among the terrain. These spots are great picnic areas for those who love to gaze at picturesque surroundings while they snack. Plus, it’s a great way to refuel after a decent hike and to prepare for the final stretch that takes you back to where you started.

Windrose Park

Windrose Park is a small gem of a park, offering large open grassy spaces perfect for traditional picnics with a blanket and a basket of snacks. For a whimsical and slightly shaded picnic, set up under the Reading Tree, a manmade tree that provides a bit of protection from the hot Arizona sun and even glows in the dark at night. If you’d rather sit at a table, head to one of the four picnic ramadas. They’re scattered throughout the small park, and two come with a barbecue grill that you can cook on.

While you can head to Windrose Park just to have a picnic and head home, you might want to stick around for a little while to enjoy the other amenities, too. You can play tennis or basketball at the lighted courts, or your kids can burn some energy on the playground, which has multiple trees protecting the area from the sun. Or, bring a soccer ball or baseball gloves to play in the open grass. 

So there you have it, five of the best places to have a picnic in Peoria. Did we miss your family’s favorite local picnic spot? If so, contact Crème de la Crème of Peoria and let us know. We’ll be sure to add it to our list!