There are 52 picnic areas in Yellowstone National Park. Below are a few of our favorites. Take some wet and/or sanitizing wipes as the vault toilets in the park tend to run out of both sanitizer and toilet paper frequently. The wipes are also handy to wipe down the picnic table before eating. Personally, I like to take a tablecloth. Campfires are only allowed in picnic areas with fire grates. Camp stoves (liquid or gas) and safe-contained charcoal grills may be used at all locations. Written by our friend Sandy, a long time resident of Island Park and our friend.

Nez Perce Ford

This is one of our favorite picnic areas because we like to fish on the Yellowstone River in this area. It’s a beautiful spot on the Yellowstone River with picnic tables in the shade and sun. In the spring if there was a good year for snow, the picnic tables near the water are sometimes under water, but the tables on the point are high and dry always. You can usually see bison here and there is a restroom, too.

This picnic area is on the road from Fishing Bridge to Canyon (closer to fishing bridge).

Virginia Cascades

To reach this picnic area you must take the one-way road to Virginia Cascades because the picnic area is near the end of the one-way road. If you are or have beginner fishermen with you, the end of the road where the meadow flattens out at the top of the grade is a great spot to fish. Try a Parachute Adams and skate it across the water. You are guaranteed to catch a fish. They used to have beautiful Brook Trout here but eradicated them because they were not a native species.

This road and picnic area is on the road between Norris and Canyon.

Gibbon Meadows

Gibbon Meadows picnic area is a great spot. Clear cool water to wade in, tables, shade, and toilets. We have seen wolves just north of here trying to take down a yearling elk. It was the most amazing thing to watch. There are 10 picnic tables and two vault toilets.

This area is on the road between Norris and Mammoth.

Firehole River

Right on the banks of the Firehole River. You will see a lot of fishermen in this section, check the regulations because it might be flyfishing only. Lots of tables, beautiful scenery, shade, vault toilet and trash cans. Can’t beat it on a sunny day.

It is on the road between Madison Junction and Old Faithful.

Le Hardy Rapids

Picnic in the woods by the river. They have 7 picnic tables and one vault toilet. It’s a beautiful spot to check out the rapids, hear the roar of the river, and enjoy a picnic.

It is on the road between Fishing Bridge and Canyon.

Soda Butte Creek

On the road between Roosevelt and Cook City Silver Gate

This is one of our favorites because the view of the surrounding mountains is incredible. Take the spotting scope we provide and look up in the surrounding mountains for Big Horn Sheep and Mountain Goats. There are many places from here to the Northeast entrance to YNP to use the scope on both sides of the road. In the spring, we used a scope to see where a momma grizzly emerged from her den with her new cubs. Such fun!

Cave Falls

Road from Ashton to Bechler Ranger Station

There are two areas along the Falls River and the Cave Falls area. The first two tables are located at the lower falls pullout parking and viewing area. This is a beautiful area to view the falls and have a picnic. The last table is located at the end of the road turnaround. There is a pit toilet, parking area, and two trail heads located here. There are no grates, fire pits, or water available at this site.

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