One of the best outdoor activities in the Smoky Mountains is having a picnic in Gatlinburg. After all, there’s nothing better than a good meal with an even better view! Whether you grab your favorite snacks and sandwich ingredients from a local grocery store or order a tasty meal to go from our Poolside Cafe, you’ll be able to enjoy the fresh mountain air and scenic views at one of these beautiful picnic areas in Gatlinburg TN:
1. Mynatt Park
One of the best areas for a picnic in Gatlinburg is at Mynatt Park, which is conveniently located within walking distance of our downtown Gatlinburg hotel! This lovely park features plenty of picnic tables and a covered pavilion in case the weather suddenly takes a turn for the worse. There are also grills where you can prepare hamburgers, hot dogs, and all of your other favorites for a traditional cookout experience! After enjoying your lunch, take advantage of the fun things to do at Mynatt Park and excellent recreational facilities such as tennis courts, horseshoe pits, a baseball field, and more.
2. Herbert Holt Park
Another of Gatlinburg’s city parks with scenic picnic areas is Herbert Holt Park. Located near the northern entrance to town, this park has been recently updated and features improved picnic areas, a pavilion, a playground, and more. Situated on the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River, this is definitely one of the most peaceful Gatlinburg picnic areas. It’s also the best spot for trout fishing in Gatlinburg– it even has a handicap-accessible fishing pier as well as a children-only fishing stream!
3. Greenbrier Picnic Area
If you want to see one of the most scenic parts of the Great Smoky Mountains, check out the Greenbrier picnic area near Gatlinburg TN! The Greenbrier section of the national park is known for its beautiful wildflower displays and a couple of the best trails in the Smokies: the Ramsey Cascades Trail and the Porters Creek Trail. After filling up on lunch in the picnic area, set out on one of the fabulous hikes or simply relax to enjoy the delightful fragrance of the wildflowers!
Read more about additional Smoky Mountain picnic areas to enjoy during your visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
4. Private Picnic Areas at Our Hotel
You’ll work up quite an appetite after a few hours of swimming in our refreshing indoor and outdoor pools! The awesome news is that our guests can take advantage of the private picnic area located by the mountain stream at our hotel! This is a fun way to enjoy a meal outdoors with the convenience of being just steps away from the comforts of your hotel room. If you can’t finish your entire meal, take advantage of the mini-refrigerator in your room to store all of your leftovers!
Check out all of our Smoky Mountain hotel rooms today to plan a vacation near the best picnic areas in Gatlinburg TN! We hope to see you soon at the Sidney James Mountain Lodge!
