The 7 Best Places to Picnic in Sedona (travel article)

Sunny days, blue skies and green grassy lawns begging to be lounged on are the palette for the quintessential summer picnic—add in the red rock vistas of Sedona and you’ve got a masterpiece in the making. Here are seven of Sedona’s best places to nosh in nature—from enclaves along rugged trails, lands preserved for historical and natural edification to traditional manicured public parks—they’re all so jaw-droppingly good, you might have to remind yourself to chew.

Leave your coffee pot behind when you breakfast on Brins Mesa Trail, but bring plenty of water. Conveniently located on the edge of town, with good parking at the end of Park Ridge Drive, this six-mile out and back trek trades the shade for vast vistas—including Coffee Pot Rock, Wilson Mountain, Chimney Rock and more. Go early during summer months and brunch at the flat-rock ledge near the end of the trail while taking in the rewarding view and appreciating the effort you made to get there (though moderately rated, the trail includes a brief, yet steep, stair-stepped ascent to its grassy mesa). Pack out what you don’t put in your belly, and feel free to bring your leashed furry friend.

You don’t have to consume the entire 8.6 round-trip miles of Girdner Trail to find a pretty place to partake en plein air. Choose from inspiring red rock views, quiet canyons, shady forests and cool crossings along Dry Creek (which may ironically be quite wet during season) to treat yourself to a tranquil spread. Along the way, sight Cockscomb Butte, Casner and Mingus mountains, Capitol Butte, Chimney Rock and the stratified Seven Canyons area—you might even be entertained by an occasional mountain bike or horseback rider. Access Girdner Trail from the south off Cultural Park Place (where you’ll find a ramada just past the Yavapai College campus) or from the north on Dry Creek Road, but as always, leave no trace that you were there.

When Arizona Governor Bruce Babbitt’s 1980 exploration along Oak Creek was interrupted by a man informing him that he was trespassing on private property, he knew he had to do something to preserve the area for public consumption. Today, the 286 acres of Red Rock State Park serve the community as an environmental education park, nature preserve and prime picnicking location. Take an easy stroll on Kisva Trail and spread your blanket beneath the shade of sycamore, velvet ash, cottonwood and alder trees. On warm days dip your toes in Oak Creek. Go early to take advantage of their guided birding (Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7a.m.) and nature walks (daily at 9a.m.). Whatever time you go, you’ll want to stay awhile and explore their easy 5-mile trail system. The six picnic tables at the Visitor Center ramada are first-come, first-served and entrance fees for adults are $7; $4 for children under age 14; free for children under seven years.

Originally a cattleman’s homestead, Crescent Moon Ranch offers 160 acres to satisfy your picnic pleasures. Spread out on the grassy lawn to bask in the warm sun or, if it’s breezy, fly a kite. Then, explore the grounds which include historic buildings (like the Baldwin Ranch House which may be rented and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places), creekside trails (wander upstream to Buddha Beach, a popular vortex marked by prayer cairns), and fish, swim or wade in the cool water of Oak Creek as you gaze upon the splendor of Cathedral Rock. Go later in the day to make it a happy hour happening and get an iconic sunset photograph of Cathedral Rock reflecting off the waters of Oak Creek at Red Rock Crossing. Entrance is $10 per vehicle or $2 per person for walk-ins.

You’ll want a red gingham tablecloth on your picnic table to enhance the Old West ambiance at Jordan Historical Park. The antique farm equipment surrounding the Jordan home (built with red rocks from the surrounding bluffs), the tractor and fruit packing sheds (all listed on the National Register of Historic Places) and fruit orchards remind visitors of the pioneering life of Sedona’s early settlers. Entrance is free, but you’ll want to pony-up for the modest admission fee to tour the Sedona Heritage Museum located here.

Kick off the shoes and go barefoot on the large grassy field, perfect for playing frisbee or croquet, at Sunset Park. With two shaded play areas, a summertime splash pad, two tennis courts, a basketball/pickleball court and the short Lollipop Trail there are many options to work up an appetite for the feast you enjoy under their covered ramadas. Hang out and watch Mother Nature’s light show as she casts the surrounding red rock walls aglow with the setting sun.

Once the gathering spot for the local sheriff and his posse, award-winning Posse Grounds Park now bustles with activity as the public convenes for fitness fun and entertainment. Located down the street from the Sedona community pool, this impressive 79-acre park will keep the whole family busy between bites. Reserve any of their 10 covered ramadas or set up on a grassy patch. Amenities include a playground, softball fields, a manicured lawn, two tennis courts (one of which also serves as four pickleball courts), a fitness trail, sand volleyball, a basketball court, an off-road bike course, a skate park and dog park.

Smooth the blanket or bring a chair to be entertained at the Posse Grounds Pavilion. Beginning in late spring, Red Dirt Concerts brings musicians to the stage. Catch their final show June 21^st with Grace Noelle delivering bluesy ballads and headliner Ryan Biter whose Americana style mixes with mountain bluegrass and new age funk from 6 to 9 p.m. Every Wednesday in June you can enjoy a star-studded movie under the star-studded sky with the free Sedona Summer Cinema series.

Other events at Posse Grounds Park include the free Fourth of July Wet Fest where you can make a splash in the pool or slip and slide on a gauntlet of inflatable water slides. To maximize your cool down, forgo the picnic planning and grab some grub from the many food vendors on site.

On August 2, 2019, there’s a celestial celebration at the park with Sedona Star Party. View Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, the Milky Way and more from telescopes and locate the constellations with area astronomers. If this free event leaves you starry-eyed, check out these seven secret spots to enjoy Sedona’s shimmering night sky.

Provision for your picnic pleasures at Manzanita Market where they stock locally produced snacks, beer and wine, plus souvenirs and gifts to take home. Or, stock up on a bounty of healthy options to make any meal at Whole Foods. If preparation is a problem, order take out from area restaurants. Buy blankets, tablecloths, baskets, totes and backpacks from Sedona’s one-of-a-kind shops.

Food may nourish the body, but in Sedona, the environs nourish the soul. Plan your summertime picnic in Sedona and make it a satisfying tradition throughout your life.

See the published version here.