Picnics are a great excuse to get out of the house and enjoy the beautiful Arizona weather. Plus, it’s a fun treat for a relaxing solo trip or a family adventure. And when you choose to picnic at one of the amazing local parks in and around Chandler, there are many other fun activities you can partake in before or after having your meal. So, if you’re looking for a new picnic spot for dining al fresco, then check out one of these seven great places to have a picnic around Chandler, Arizona.

Tumbleweed Park

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Right here in Chandler is the beautiful Tumbleweed Park. It’s a great spot for parents and children who love to sit and watch planes fly overhead because the park is right across the street from the Chandler Municipal Airport. It’s also conveniently located next to the Arizona Railway Museum and Tumbleweed Ranch, making it a great spot for locomotive lovers and history fans to have a snack after touring the exhibits. 

You can head to Tumbleweed Park for a fun-filled day featuring games of boccie, horseshoes, volleyball, tennis, soccer, baseball, or catch on the multi-use fields. There are many walking trails you can stroll along for a scenic walk before or after your meal, and there’s a playground where the kids can burn some energy, too. Rent a park pavilion for a larger gathering, or claim a table or two for your small picnic. 

Desert Breeze Park

Another beautiful picnic spot in Chandler is Desert Breeze Park. This park is the ideal spot for a family outing filled with activities like baseball or softball, volleyball, tennis, strolling along the walking trails, fishing at the lake, or cooling off at the sprayground and splash pad. There’s also a little train that travels around the park, which is a great way to tour the park and find the perfect picnic spot.

Find a scenic place by the lake for a picnic featuring the sights and sounds of waterfowl and fish jumping in the water. Most of the pavilions are located along the waterfront. You can also find a cozy spot of grass to set up your picnic. What’s more, this park is located near a few local restaurants, so you can grab some takeout and dine al fresco at the park instead of at home.

Veterans Oasis Park

In the southeast part of Chandler is Veterans Oasis Park, another stellar spot for a solo or family picnic. This area features beautiful views of nearby mountains, nature trails that traverse the Sonoran Desert landscape, and a stunning lake. It’s the perfect backdrop for a picnic, with all of the open picnic tables and reservable pavilions located steps from the lake.

There’s also plenty to keep you occupied for a few hours or the whole day, including hiking, horseback riding, a playground for the kids, fishing in the lake, touring the Environmental Education Center, or catching a show at the amphitheater. 

Crossroads Park

Head over to nearby Gilbert to find Crossroads Park, a beautiful and fun-filled park that makes for a relaxing picnic destination. Set up your picnic on the grass near the lake for a scenic backdrop, grab a table at an empty ramada for some shade, or reserve a ramada ahead of time for a larger picnic gathering. Each ramada has power, so you can play some tunes on a radio, and a grill, so you can cook up some fresh grub.

While you wait for food or recover from the meal, play a pickup game of touch football, soccer, baseball, basketball, or volleyball. You can also take the kids to the playground, walk your dog at the dog park, or go skating at AZ Ice Gilbert, located on-site.

Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch

Looking for more nature with your picnic? Then head to Riparian Preserve in nearby Gilbert. This park is a nature preserve with a large wildlife habitat, so it’s a fantastic place to go hiking, look for local wildlife, and take a break with a quick scenic picnic. You can also reserve one of the ramadas for your picnic or set up in one of the gathering areas. Plus, much of the area features ponds and lakes separated by trails, so there’s no bad picnic spot in the park if you’re looking for a great view.

Countryside Park

Countryside Park in nearby Mesa features many picnic tables, a few barbecue grills, and shaded picnic ramadas, so you’ll have all the picnic amenities you could need. If you’re planning a gathering of up to 48 people, this park has multiple ramada options, and you can either bring food prepared at home or have a little cookout.

To keep everyone busy, you can enjoy a stroll or bike ride on the trails around the park, let your dog run around in the off-leash dog area, and play volleyball or basketball. Or, you can head over to one of the baseball fields to watch local teams compete or to root for your own kids.

Creamery Park

Go to Tempe for a picnic at Creamery Park. While it’s one of the smallest in the town, it’s a great spot for people who want each of the park’s amenities within even shorter walking distance. This park is also centrally located near a few local cafes and restaurants, making it a great place to enjoy some takeout outside.

At the park, you can eat at one of the picnic tables, claim an empty ramada, or set up on the grass. There’s a playground, a dog park, and a few basketball courts, so there are a few activities to enjoy before or after your meal. And there are grills on-site if you’re looking to have a cookout.

So there you have it, seven local parks around Chandler that make great picnic spots. Did we miss any of your family’s favorite picnicking destinations? If so, contact Crème de la Crème of Chandler. We’ll be sure to add it to our list.