Discover and Celebrate the Bliss of the Asheville Area and Western North Carolina Picnicking and Picnic Areas

City of Asheville Parks with
Picnic Shelters and Pavillions
Having a picnic in a park can be a very eonomical way to entertain a lot of people for the least amount of money. You can bring your own food (or have it catered), and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Asheville area. If you're having an impromptu picnic just for the two of you, or your family, you can go to any of the parks in the area and spread a blanket or use one of the picnic tables and it doesn't cost a cent. However, if you're planning a picnic in advance for a group, we recommend renting a shelter, preferably with a table or two (you can always bring foldup tables and chairs if they don't have picnic tables) , in case of rain. "....shelters are located at parks throughout Asheville. Rent a shelter at $30 for four hours, and $5 for each additional hour except where noted. Call the numbers listed below to reserve specific shelters...."

Aston Park
One of Asheville’s oldest parks and located near downtown featuring a playground, picnic shelter, restrooms, and the Aston Park Tennis Center. The Center is the finest public clay court facilities in the United States, offering 12 lighted clay tennis courts. The center is open to the public daily, April – late November. Hilliard Avenue and French Broad Avenue, (828) 251-4074

Azalea Park
Located on Azalea Road along the Swannanoa River in east Asheville (near the WNC Nature Center) "... This 155-acre park is currently being developed as one of Asheville's top parks. The John B. Lewis Soccer Complex is open with lots more special features to come, including trails, picnic areas, disc golf, lakes, a retreat center, the historic Thomas Wolfe cabin and much more. 2 medium shelters, tables,..." (828) 251-4024 Note: Recreation Park is located along the Swannanoa River ".... the park features an outdoor swimming pool, playground and picnic shelters. It is located in the same complex as Azalea Park and the WNC Nature Center...."

Carrier Park
One of Asheville's premier parks offers volleyball courts, a giant playground, a roller-hockey rink, a basketball court, a multi-use track, a lawn bowling court, a paved trail and a multi-use sports field for baseball and soccer. Future development will include a picnic pavilion, river overlooks, boat landing, a wetland interpretive and education area, and more trails.  Located on Amboy Road and Michigan Avenue in west Asheville.1 extra large shelter, tables, Amboy Road and Michigan Street, (828) 251-4024 Note: rental cost $100 for three hours

French Broad River Park
One of Asheville's most beautiful parks, the park meanders alongside the tranquil French Broad River, and features a vast area of open green space with old trees, a wildflower garden, a paved trail, a gazebo, picnic tables and grills, an observation deck, and a small playground. The Dog Park features a large fenced-in area made for exercising and socializing your pooch.  Located at Amboy Road and Riverview Drive in west Asheville.  Phone (828) 259-5800 to reserve gazebo.

Haw Creek Park
This neighborhood park features wooded natural areas, trails, a gazebo, restrooms, and a picnic shelter. Located on Avon Road in the Haw Creek community in east Asheville. To reserve the picnic shelter contact East Asheville Center, (828) 251-4041.

Grove Park
This beautiful green space boasts giant old flowering trees and a turn of the century stone wall.  Located off Charlotte Street in the Grove Park neighborhood in north Asheville.  To reserve the park contact Senior Opportunity Center, (828) 350-2062.

Jake Rusher Park
The park currently features a giant playground. New development will add a trail, gazebo, basketball and volleyball courts and picnic tables. Formerly Royal Pines Park, the park is located in south Asheville on Royal Pines Road.(828) 259-5800

Kenilworth Park
The park offers a playground, tennis courts, a basketball court, restrooms and a large open play area. Located in the heart of the Kenilworth neighborhood on Wyoming Road off of Kenilworth Road.  1 medium shelter, tables, To reserve the park contact Harvest House, (828) 350-2051.

Magnolia Park
This small park features a playground, a small picnic shelter, a half-court basketball court, restrooms and a paved trail.  Located on Flint Street in the Montford neighborhood. To reserve the picnic shelter contact Montford Center, (828) 253-3714.

Malvern Hills Park
A favorite summer spot in west Asheville, this park offers an outdoor swimming pool with a pavilion, a bathhouse, restrooms and a concession area. The park also includes a large picnic shelter, lighted tennis courts, a playground and a trail. Located at Rumbough and Sulphur Springs Road in west Asheville. To reserve the picnic shelter contact West Asheville Center, (828) 251-4031.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Park
Centrally located in downtown Asheville, this park pays homage to the great civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a life-size memorial statue set in a landscaped courtyard.  The park includes a lighted ballfield with concession, restrooms, a playground, picnic tables and grills, and a picnic shelter. The park is located off Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive in central Asheville. To reserve the ballfield contact the Athletics Division, (828) 251-4024 or (828) 251-4026.

Mountainside Park
The park is located on Hunt Hill Street in central Asheville and offers a ballfield, a picnic shelter and a playground. To reserve the picnic shelter, contact Stephens-Lee Center, (828) 350-2058.

Murphy-Oakley Park
The park includes a lighted ballfield, three tennis courts, a playground, a picnic shelter with tables and grills, a concession and restrooms. Oakley Park is located on Fairview Road in east Asheville.  To reserve the picnic shelter contact Murphy-Oakley Center, (828) 251-4042.

Murray Hill Park
One of Asheville's newest parks is in south Asheville on Bartlett Street in the South French Broad neighborhood. The park features a walking trail and pavilion with benches and picnic tables. (828) 259-5738

Roger Farmer Memorial Park
This ballpark complex features three ballfields, a picnic shelter, picnic tables, concession and restrooms.  The park is located on Deaverview Road in west Asheville. To reserve the picnic shelter contact West Asheville Center, (828) 251-4031.

Shiloh Park
This neighborhood park is located in the heart of the Shiloh neighborhood on Shiloh Road in south Asheville and surrounded by the Shiloh Center.  It features a lighted ballfield with concession and restrooms, a basketball court, tennis court, playground, picnic tables and a trail. To reserve the park contact Shiloh Center, (828) 274-7739.

Walton St. Park
Located in south-central Asheville on Walton Street, this neighborhood park is popular for summer activities and features an outdoor pool complete with a concession and bath house, as well as a softball field, a picnic shelter and a playground. To reserve the picnic shelter contact Reid Center, (828) 350-2048.

Weaver Park
The park features a lighted ballfield, concession, a basketball court, playground, tennis courts, picnic shelter, a trail and a restroom.  Weaver Park is located off Merrimon Avenue in north Asheville. To reserve the picnic shelter contact Senior Opportunity Center, (828) 350-2062.

West Asheville Park
Located in west Asheville on Vermont Avenue and home to Gassaway Field, a Little League baseball field. The park also features a Little League batting cage, concessions and restrooms, two tennis courts, a playground and a picnic shelter. To reserve the picnic shelter contact West Asheville Center, (828)251-4031.

White Pine Park
This park is located in the White Pine neighborhood on White Pine Court in east Asheville and features open space and picnic tables. No Shelter.

Great Smoky Mountain National Park
"... Picnic areas are located at Big Creek, Chimney Tops, Cades Cove, Collins Creek, Cosby, Deep Creek, Greenbrier, Heintooga, Look Rock, Metcalf Bottoms, and Twin Creeks. Download a park map to view the location of picnic areas in the park. The picnic areas at Cades Cove, Chimney Tops, Cosby, Deep Creek, Greenbrier, and Metcalf Bottoms remain open year-round. The remaining picnic areas are closed during the winter..."

Where to Buy "To Go"
or Catered Picnics

Laurey's Catering and Gourmet to Go
"... We are a full-service catering company, operating in downtown Asheville. If you are downtown, do come visit us, have lunch in our shop, take a picnic with your on your tour of Asheville or perhaps sample of our 'made-right-here' sweets.... we make everything fresh for your order (no frozen, pre-made things) We taste everything to make sure its delicious. We use local, sustainably grown produce in season.... as much as we can find... We know that it is all about the details, and we care about those details. We are proud of what we do...."

Picnics Restaurant and Bake Shop
Has a catering menu which includes wood roasted chicken, sides, desserts and bread. Located on Merrimon Avenue.

Fast Food Restaurants with
Picnic-Style To-Go Menue

Boston Market
Sells whole roasted chickens and family-size sides.

KFC
has buckets of chicken with all the fixings.