It's time for a sunny day picnic! Here is a list of the top places to picnic in peace in the Eugene - Springfield area and beyond.
Hendricks Park
Hendricks Park is a beautiful rhododendron and native plant garden located near the University of Oregon. After a lazy lunch among the flowers, hike the many trails through the gardens and beyond into the ferns and evergreen forest. The park offers restrooms, tables, water and a shelter.
Alton Baker Park is near downtown Eugene and the University of Oregon making it a popular choice for a quick picnic. Although this park is popular and centrally located, you can still find a quiet place to yourself on the 373 acres. Bring your pup along for a run at the dog park or try out the disc golf course.
Perkins Peninsula is a green park on Fern Ridge Reservoir. There is a boat ramp, swimmable beach, baseball diamond, picnic tables, restrooms and a large grassy lawn for laying out your picnic blanket and spread of goodies. Fern Ridge is also a prime spot for birdwatching so bring your binoculars along too.
Mount Baldy
Earn all the treats in your lunchbox with a little hike up to the top of Mount Baldy. The entire loop is just under one mile long and offers various stunning views. This moderate hike is part of the grander Ridgeline Trail and is located just minutes from downtown Eugene.
Picnic along the McKenzie River at Armitage Park at the edge of the city. There are restrooms, grills, tables, a small boat ramp and short wheelchair-accessible paths beside the river. After a lazy meal in the grass, take a stroll across the old railroad bridge for a better view of Osprey that frequently hunt the river.
If you don't mind a sandy picnic blanket, this lake in the coastal dunes is a perfect place to enjoy a meal outdoors. Bring your kayak or standup paddleboard or just go for a swim! Your family will love running up and down the dunes and putting their toes in the water. Cleawox Lake is located at Jessie Honeyman State Park just four minutes from Florence.
Baker Bay is a beautiful space beside Dorena Lake East of Cottage Grove where the family can swim or play sand volleyball. Still, need more exercise and fresh air after the meal? Ride the nearby Row River bike path. Or keep it nice and easy with a driving tour of historic covered bridges.
Pavilion Park
What makes Pavilion Park in Coburg so great is the location. Not only are you surrounded by charming historic buildings and that sweet small-town feel, but you've got food options. Want pizza for your picnic? One of the best pizza joints in the whole state is right there. After pizza, you might want to grab some ice cream or a nice iced coffee. That and more is all within view of the pretty pavilion and the surrounding green grounds.
Greenwaters Park
Greenwaters Park is a great picnic spot after hiking to see Salt Creek and Diamond Creek Falls or before mountain biking one of Oakridge's incredible trails. Located just past Oakridge on Highway 58 and is full of amenities including restrooms, tables and a playground. This is the perfect picnic spot for you if you needed to take a little drive and get away from the city.
Melanie is a University of Oregon graduate who studied Cultural Anthropology. After finishing school, she worked as a touring photojournalist writing concert and album reviews for online publications. Melanie is now the Art Director for Travel Lane County. She has lived in Eugene for more than a decade and spends nearly every weekend searching for new favorite places in the county. She has also lived in California, New Mexico, Florida, Spain and Slovakia but loves Oregon the most.
Melanie enjoys exploring the vibrant arts and culture scene in Eugene. She also loves painting, cooking for friends, dancing, hiking and learning new things.
