By Karen Povey, WNPF Board of Directors & Stacy Woodward

Why is it that food always tastes so much better when it’s consumed in the great outdoors? Whether it’s enhanced by the view, the company, or just all that fresh air, eating outside is one of summer’s greatest pleasures.

There are lots of places you can enjoy national park picnics, from a roadside viewpoint to a hard-earned hiking summit celebration. Check out our suggestions of the best picnic spots in Washington’s national parks. Don’t forget to always picnic along a trail, roadside, or designated picnic spot and avoid walking or sitting on plants and other sensitive landscapes.

Jump to: Picnic Gear | Sunrise Meals | On-the-go “Snacklebox” | Streamside Snacks | Celebration Charcuterie

Get Into Gear

When you have an early departure time and other gear to gather for your park outing, you may be tempted to forgo putting much effort into picnic planning. But it takes just a bit of thought and a little prep time to elevate your picnicking skills from good to great and create a truly memorable meal fit for the stunning surroundings.

A great picnic is more than just the food. Bring along these essential pieces of picnic-enhancing gear to take your noshing to the next level. 

• Sit on it. Sure, a flat rock, log, or picnic table can serve as a great perch, but pamper your backside by bringing something softer to sit on. If you’re picnicking from the car, toss in a blanket or some folding chairs. On the trail, a light-weight foam sit pad or ultralight foldable backpacking chair should be considered vital equipment for optimizing comfort while summit snacking.
• Keep it cool.  While carrying water is crucial, during a hot hike, nothing beats a refreshing drink. Decant your beverage of choice into an insulated bottle to have a delicious, chilled treat with lunch on the trail. Trust us, this is worth the effort! (If it’s a carbonated beverage, use caution when opening at high elevation.) Another pro tip: bring a small cooler to leave in the car for enjoying a frosty post-hike thirst-quencher.
• Ditch the disposables. If your meal requires a fork or spoon, be sure to bring reusable utensils that come in a handy kit.

A Mouthwatering Menu

Now that you’ve planned your gear, let’s look at the menu. Here are five suggestions that cover the gamut of park picnicking experiences.

🍽 Sunrise Snacks: Fuel up for a day of exploring!

Avocado toast – This meal can be adapted for every taste and diet preference. Bring the ingredients and assemble them trailside or in the parking lot.

• Mash up a ripe avocado, mix in a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and spread on your favorite bread. (Toast bread if you have a camp stove or pre-toast.)
• Top with your favorite seasoning (I love Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel seasoning!) pickled onion, feta cheese, and sprouts or microgreens.
• Make it even heartier by adding a protein such as hard-boiled egg, smoked salmon, or bacon.

Overnight Oats – A hearty, filling breakfast to power your adventure. Enjoy them on the road, at the trailhead, or during a break on trail.

• Use a jar or tupperware with tight-fitting lid                     
• ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats
• ½ cup milk of choice
• ¼ cup Greek yogurt
• Teaspoon honey, agave, or maple syrup
• Teaspoon chia seeds (optional)
• Pinch of salt
• Optional add ins: ¼ cup fresh or frozen berries, 1 tbsp peanut or cashew butter, 1 tsp minced fresh ginger, almonds, anything else you want!

To make:

1. Combine the oats, milk, yogurt, honey, chia seeds and salt in jar. If using nut butter, add it now and mix well.
2. Add any other ingredients from suggested list except nuts and stir again. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours.
3. When ready to serve, stir again. If too thick, add a small amount of milk or water.
4. Add nuts and enjoy.

🍽 Roadside Repast: A hearty & delicious lunch for a car picnic or an ambitious hiker.

Tarragon pasta salad – So yummy! Make it at home and bring in a cooler.

• 1 (8oz) bottle of Italian salad dressing
• ¼ cup white wine vinegar
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 4 chicken breast halves, skinned and boned (leave out for vegetarian version and use less dressing overall)
• 4 oz orecchiette pasta uncooked
• 2 cups sliced celery
• ½ cup diced red bell pepper
• ¼ cup chopped green onions
• 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise

To make (4-6 servings):

1. Combine the first 4 ingredients in a jar and shake until well mixed.
2. Place chicken in a baking dish, pour ¾ cup of dressing mixture over chicken, and chill covered for 8 hours. Reserve the remaining mixture.
3. Remove chicken from refrigerator and let stand 30 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 mins until cooked through. Drain chicken, cool slightly and roughly chop.
4. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and cool slightly. Combine the chicken, pasta, reserved dressing and remaining ingredients in a large bowl and toss gently. Cover and chill.
5. Add Ons: Rainier cherries, cheese and crackers. Bring along canned mocktails for an extra treat.

🍽 Grub on the Go: If you prefer quick and easy bites, consider assembling a trailside “snacklebox” and impress your hiking companions!

Snacklebox – Fill a favorite to-go container with munchables for a fun & portable snack.

• Cheese and crackers
• Salami
• Pretzels and/or Nuts
• Dried or fresh fruit
• Olives
• Carrots/celery
• Candy, of course!

🍽 Streamside Snacking: For a heartier hiking meal, ditch the PB&J and go gourmet.

Halloumi sandwich – This is one of our favorites and well worth the day-before prep time.

• Package halloumi cheese
• Pretzel buns
• Avocado (sliced)
• Tomato (sliced)
• Red onion (sliced)
• Everything Bagel seasoning
• Sweet hot mustard

To Make:

1. Slice buns and toast lightly under the broiler.
2. Slice the halloumi into ½ inch slices. Press between two towels with something heavy for 15 minutes to get some of the water out.
3. Heat skillet on medium-high and sauté both sides of cheese until soft and lightly golden. (You can skip this step, but it changes the cheese’s texture for the better.)
4. Add mustard to the bun and stack all ingredients. Top with EBB seasoning. (Note: put the tomato between the cheese and other ingredients so the bun doesn’t get soggy.)
5. Add Ons: Fritos/chips, grapes, peppermint patties

🍽 Celebration Charcuterie – What better way to celebrate a birthday, engagement, or any special occasion than a full-on summit spread?! The options are endless, but here are a few of our favorites.

• Tinned fish, prosciutto, salami, smoked salmon,
• Your preferred cheese
• Marinated artichokes or olives
• Any pickled veggies
• Dried fruits and nuts
• Hummus
• Mini quiches
• Sliced baguette
• Wine/cider, kept cold in an insulated water bottle (use caution when opening at altitude!)

 Add Ons for that super special occasion:

• Charcuterie board
• Champagne
• Flowers
• Photographer

.Now you’re ready to picnic like a pro in the parks!

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Washington’s National Park Fund is the official philanthropic partner to Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks. We raise private support to preserve and protect Washington’s national parks by funding scientific research, youth and family experiences, and projects that will keep these parks strong and vital now and forever, for everyone.

Cover photo by Karen Povey