The 8 best picnic spots in Canada

Love to picnic? Build it into your travel plans this summer!

There are thousands of places to picnic in Canada. From grassy parks to beautiful beaches, we’ve rounded up great picnic spots for you across the country. Whether you’re in the mood for a romantic picnic or a big family barbeque, you’ll find something for everyone.

What are you waiting for? Pack your picnic basket and check out some of the best picnic spots in Canada.

Woodbine Beach – Toronto, ON

“Woodbine Beach” by Jeff Hitchcock is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

Woodbine Beach is one of the most visited beaches in the city and a popular picnic spot in Toronto. The beach features amenities like a playground, volleyball courts, picnic shelters, and more. It’s packed to the brim with amusements that make this a great picnic spot for kids. Lush grass carpet or soft sand, take your pick, spread out a picnic blanket and relax all afternoon. You can even pop in their full-service restaurant if you want an extra snack.

Stanley Park – Vancouver, BC

There are beautiful woodlands that you can explore and enjoy around Vancouver.

Stanley Park is one of the most popular destinations in the city. Its 400 hectares of carefully conserved wilderness make Stanley Park one of the best picnic spots in Vancouver. You have your choice of shaded forest, open garden, or beachfront locations in the park. There are designated picnic sites in the park that feature shelters, kitchens, and electricity, but they require a reservation, so plan ahead.

After finishing up your sandwiches, you can wander through the paths (check out the Seawall), bask in the sun on the beaches, hit the water park, or go find the totem poles. On display at Brockton Point, the totem poles honour British Columbia’s native peoples.

Local tip: beyond being a hot picnic destination, Stanley Park is also home to Canada’s largest aquarium. Stop by the Vancouver Aquarium to see more than 50,000 marine animals.

Parlee Beach Provincial Park – Pointe-du-Chêne, NB

This beautiful park is Canada’s warmest place to play in salt water! Parlee Beach Provincial Park is also a great beach picnic spot — make sure you take a photo with the World’s Largest Lobster Sculpture when you get there.

Enjoy all the fun that the beach offers, from swimming to sports to the variety of staff-led activities and games on the beach like Frisbee tournaments. Take part in a Frisbee game, a sand sculpture contest, or one of the other events that run all summer long!

With so much to do, Parlee Beach is a wonderful picnic location for families with kids.

Horseshoe Bay – Vancouver, British Columbia

“Arrival at Horseshoe Bay “ by Mikofox photography is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Horseshoe Bay is a quirky little enclave on the coast at the west end of the North Shore. It’s a wonderful place to get a change of scenery without travelling too far! The village charm makes it one of our top Vancouver picnic sites.

Watch the boats sailing in and out of the harbour as you stroll the village. The seaside playground will entertain the kids, and the Sewell Marina’s Sea Safari will help you explore Horseshoe Bay’s waters.

When it’s time to roll out the picnic blanket, you have your pick of spots. We recommend Whytecliff Park, a top diving spot for cold water dives. You can picnic on the sandy beach or the grass — Whytecliff spans an impressive 15 hectares.

High Park – Toronto, Ontario

Spanning an impressive 400 acres in the middle of Old Toronto, just west of Downtown, High Park has been a top picnic location choice for Torontonians since 1876.

The park has more than 15 designated picnic areas which are popular among families during the summer weekends. When it comes to entertaining the little ones, High Park has no shortage of kid-friendly activities. It offers several playgrounds, outdoor pools, baseball diamonds and soccer fields. You can even visit the High Park Zoo to see a few animals. to see a few animals.

If after finishing your meal you feel like exploring the terrain, there are several easy trails to choose from as well as a seasonal train that loops around the park for those feeling less adventurous.

Local tip: with the right permit from the city, you can fish for your picnic lunch in Grenadier Pond!

Prince’s Island Park – Calgary, Alberta

Prince’s Island Park is one of the largest in downtown Calgary. During the summer, festivals and events like the Folk Festival run throughout the park and nearby downtown — check the event calendar before you go.

Well-tended flower gardens and several walking and biking paths give you plenty to do and see. The park is full of natural shade and surrounded by the Bow River, so you have your choice of the best picnic spots away from the sun, by the water or both.

Local tip: Prince’s Island Park is flanked by one of Calgary’s trendiest neighbourhoods: Kensington Village. Start your day in Kensington’s vintage shops, have a picnic at the park, and then swing back to the village for dessert: we recommend the iconic Crave cupcake, adored by locals!

Parc Jeanne-Mance – Montreal, Quebec

This urban park is a tranquil piece of wilderness, preserved within one of Canada’s most historic cities. Originally known as Fletcher’s Field, this picnic destination has been a part of Montreal life since the 19th century.

With playgrounds, sports fields, a seasonal wading pool, and a whole lot of green space, there’s plenty to do before and after your picnic in Parc Jeanne-Mance. Before you go, check for any special events — festivals like the Festival of India take place on the park grounds.

Locals consider Parc Jeanne-Mance the original picnic park so it can get very busy on summer weekends as people flock the best picnic spot in the city. As an alternative, you can check out Montreal’s Oka Beach.

Riverside Park – Canmore, Alberta

Spread your blanket out and enjoy pristine views of the Bow River in Canmore’s Riverside Park. Bring a camera along with your picnic basket as there’s a fantastic view of the famous Three Sisters peaks.

Riverside Park is one of best picnic spots in Kananaskis Country — definitely worth a stop on your Canmore and Banff trips. It’s popular with weddings and gatherings of all kinds. Kick back and people watch when the park is crowded.

If you’re looking to work up an appetite, Canmore has a river path system that connects Riverside Park with other beautiful green spaces nearby. Start at Millenium Park and stroll along the water — the paths eventually form a loop.

No matter where you are in Canada, our nature and wildlife make for beautiful picnic spots — even in the heart of a city!