Pick a Park for a Picnic

Post Number One of a Five Part Series

When people picnic they usually head to the closest neighborhood park. While neighborhood parks are perfect for leisurely Saturday afternoon picnics, why not be a bit more adventurous and plan a trip to one of the many wonderful National Parks located within the United States.  There are many different types of parks to visit. Whether you like hiking, swimming, or simply lounging, the choice of locations, terrains and adventures are vast! Of course, the type of picnic supplies you will need to bring will depend on the type of park you plan on visiting and the activities you plan to participate in while there.

 This is post number one of a five part series titled “Pick a Park for a Picnic!”  I hope these posts provide you with some fun and adventurous picnic location ideas! So what are you waiting for? Start planning a picnic adventure that is perfect for the entire family! I bet you will be surprised to learn just how many state parks there are in your neck of the woods!

Location #1 - Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument & Park

Located in Arizona, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (wow, that is a mouth full) is a beautiful desert oasis and the PERFECT place to visit…not to mention have a picnic!   This National Park celebrates the beauty of the desert and, trust me, there are many wonderful things to see and discover! In this desert wilderness you can hike a backcountry trail, camp under millions of stars, drive an abandoned and lonely desert road, or simply walk along a path sprinkled with cactus. No matter what you choose to do you will never forget the beauty of the desert and the plants and animals that live there.

Because of the weather, most people choose to visit Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument between December and March. Of course, if you like it HOT, you are more than welcome to sweat it out and visit during the summer months (just be sure to bring a LOT of water!). There is no food or lodging available at this park, so you will need to bring the proper picnic supplies and food with you. An insulated, sturdy, picnic backpack is ideal for this type of terrain and picnicking.  Make certain that your picnic backpack is waterproof, well made, and designed to hold beverages. Trust me, water is one beverage you will not want to be without!

When picnicking at Organ Pipe Cactus National Park, beware, there are many different types of critters that you probably don’t want to invite onto your picnic blanket.  Rattlesnakes, scorpions and tarantulas are members of this desert community so you will want to respect them and give them their space. After all, you are visiting THEIR home! There are miles and miles of hiking trails at this park. Stop by the Kris Eggle Visitor Center for assistance and tips regarding your visit. For the perfect end to a perfect day, consider a sunset picnic.  There is a beautiful picnic area available for those that wish to watch the sun set off of the spectacular Ajo Mountains.

No matter what you choose to do while visiting this beautiful park, one this is certain….you will make memories that will most certainly last a lifetime!

Tags: Arizona, beautiful picnic area, desert, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, picnic, picnic adventure, picnic backpack, picnic supplies, picnicking, Planning a Picnic, state parks