Fun Freetime - Best States for Outdoor Picnics

 A recent study conducted by McLuck has revealed the best U.S. states for picnic lovers, taking into account nine essential factors including temperature, rainfall, public parks, and safety, among others. From sunny Arizona to the cool expanse of Alaska, find out which states are truly picnic paradises and which ones are best avoided if you’re seeking an outdoor dining experience.

Arizona takes the top spot with its unbeatable combination of warm weather, clear skies, and low rainfall. With 193 clear days a year and only 1.08 inches of rainfall during spring and summer, it offers nearly perfect conditions for outdoor dining. The state also boasts a large portion of public land, making it ideal for nature enthusiasts. However, the state’s limited state parks per capita and lack of lakes make it slightly less suited for those seeking a more diverse outdoor experience. Still, for those seeking endless sunshine and stunning vistas, Arizona is hard to beat.

California is in 2nd place, offering a perfect mix of outdoor access and mild weather. The state excels across the board with nine national parks, the most of any state, and over 7 lakes per 100,000 people. The state also boasts moderate temperatures (65.25°F on average) and a decent number of clear days (146). However, its safety index could be better, and its number of trails is average compared to other states. Still, it’s a fantastic option for a well-rounded picnic experience. 

Utah, in 3rd place, stands out with the third highest amount of public land (75.20%) and a strong trail network (103.06 per 100,000 people). Though it has fewer clear days (125) compared to Arizona, its weather remains conducive to outdoor activities, with an average spring and summer temperature of 58.55°F. Its safety index of 63.5 also adds a layer of peace of mind for picnic-goers. While Utah may not have the same number of lakes as other states, its abundance of trails and natural beauty make it a top choice for outdoor lovers.

Alaska's natural beauty is beyond compare, with the most lakes per 100,000 people (over 408,000) and a vast amount of public land (95.80%, the highest in the study). It also excels in trails per capita, with 152.96 per 100,000. However, its chilly average spring and summer temperature of 38.5°F and just 61 clear days each year mean it’s not the most picnic-friendly state for everyone. For those willing to embrace the cold, though, Alaska offers some of the most breathtaking backdrops for a picnic.

New Mexico is in fifth place and combines good weather with solid access to nature. With an average temperature of 61.9°F and 167 clear days, it provides excellent picnic weather. The state also ranks well for trails (79.23 per 100,000) and lakes (56.73 per 100,000). While it doesn't have as many national parks or state parks, New Mexico offers plenty of scenic vistas and outdoor opportunities, making it a solid pick for those who enjoy a variety of outdoor activities.

Nevada is next in 6th place and shines with the lowest rainfall in the study (0.78 inches) and 158 clear days each year. The state also has a high percentage of public land (87.80%), making it a prime spot for nature lovers. However, Nevada's lack of lakes and fewer trails bring it down in the rankings. Still, for those seeking an arid, sunny escape with ample public land, Nevada is a top contender.

Wyoming excels in lake (682 lakes per 100,000) and trail access (176.48 trails per 100,000), making it a great option for outdoor recreation. However, with cooler temperatures (52.15°F on average) and fewer clear days (114), it doesn't quite reach the levels of Arizona or California in terms of ideal picnic weather. Nevertheless, Wyoming’s natural beauty and abundant outdoor resources make it a strong choice for picnic enthusiasts who also love hiking and nature exploration.

Colorado offers excellent trail access (98.02 per 100,000) and four national parks, but it doesn’t quite match up in terms of clear days (136) or lakes (67.63 per 100,000). Its average temperature of 54.45°F is cooler than some of the higher-ranked states, and its safety index could be improved. Still, Colorado's great mix of nature and outdoor opportunities makes it a popular destination for picnickers and adventurers alike.

Idaho balances a high percentage of public land (70.40%) with moderate rainfall (1.42 inches). The state also ranks well for lakes (100.48 per 100,000), but its lack of clear days (120) and slightly lower safety index may deter some picnic-goers. Nevertheless, for those who enjoy the outdoors, Idaho offers a strong, though somewhat underrated, option for picnicking.

Montana rounds out the top 10, thanks to its impressive lake (296.57 per 100,000) and trail access (143.16 per 100,000). However, its limited public land (37.5%) and safety concerns (42.2 safety index) bring it down in the rankings. The state also has fewer clear days (82) and higher rainfall than its higher-ranked peers. Still, for those who appreciate rugged, scenic picnic spots, Montana provides plenty of natural beauty to explore.

The Best and Worst States for Key Metrics

• Average Temperature in Spring and Summer: Florida tops the list with an average temperature of 75.45°F, perfect for picnics. Alaska, on the other hand, has the lowest temperature at 38.5°F.
• Clear Days Each Year: Arizona leads with 193 clear days, making it ideal for outdoor dining. Vermont, with only 58 clear days, ranks the lowest.
• Rainfall: Nevada scores the lowest with only 0.78 inches of rainfall during the spring and summer, while Florida experiences the most rainfall at 5.38 inches.
• State Parks per 100,000 People: Vermont leads with 8.64 state parks per 100,000 people, while Texas has the fewest at just 0.25.
• Public Land: Alaska takes the top spot with a staggering 95.80% public land, whereas Rhode Island has the least at just 1.50%.
• National Parks: California has the most national parks (9), while 20 states, including New York and New Jersey, have none.
• Trails per 100,000 People: Wyoming has the most trails per capita at 176.48, while Louisiana has the least at 8.20.
• Lakes per 100,000 People: Alaska has the most lakes by far at 408,977 lakes per 100,000, while North Carolina ranks lowest with just 0.54 lakes per 100,000.
• Safety Index: Vermont has the highest safety index at 68.8, while Louisiana ranks the lowest with a safety index of just 31.6.

Full list of the best states for picnic lovers:

Rank	State	Average temperature in spring and summer (° F)	Number of clear days each year	Spring and summer rainfall (in inches)	State parks per 100,000 people	Amount of public land (%)	Number of national parks	Trails per 100,000 people	Lakes per 100,000 people	Safety Index	Total Score
1	Arizona	68.15	193	1.08	0.39	56.8	3	45.38	1.71	53	57.05
2	California	65.25	146	1.10	0.36	52.1	9	39.04	7.71	48.9	55.79
3	Utah	58.55	125	1.01	1.22	75.2	5	103.06	53.76	63.5	55.50
4	Alaska	38.5	61	1.71	4.64	95.8	8	152.96	408,978	54.5	55.46
5	New Mexico	61.9	167	1.44	1.65	47.4	2	79.23	56.73	49.9	51.71
6	Nevada	58.5	158	0.78	0.62	87.8	2	35.53	1.12	47.7	51.50
7	Wyoming	52.15	114	1.37	1.88	55.9	2	176.48	682.03	54	48.43
8	Colorado	54.45	136	1.68	0.73	43.3	4	98.02	67.63	43.8	44.54
9	Idaho	53.65	120	1.42	1.36	70.4	1	77.82	100.48	54.7	44.44
10	Montana	53.35	82	1.66	4.03	37.5	2	143.16	296.57	42.2	43.15
11	Vermont	53.3	58	3.81	8.64	15.8	0	155.29	123.49	68.8	41.33
12	Oregon	55.3	68	1.60	1.28	60.4	1	85.51	33.12	55.5	38.04
13	Texas	73.1	135	2.61	0.25	4.2	2	9.41	22.60	36.8	36.87
14	Washington	55.75	58	2.09	1.81	41.9	3	65.61	102.02	59.4	36.32
15	New Hampshire	53.95	90	3.73	3.06	18	0	167.25	56.94	64	35.59
16	Maine	51.4	101	3.60	2.28	5.7	1	167.11	190.93	67	34.98
17	South Dakota	57.35	104	2.44	1.40	8.9	2	49.85	14.10	43.4	32.73
18	Oklahoma	69.35	139	3.54	0.93	4.6	0	15.39	1.52	39.3	32.36
19	Arkansas	69.55	123	4.28	1.49	17.3	1	33.99	75.75	33.7	31.84
20	Kansas	65	128	3.28	0.95	1.9	0	21.29	4,076	42.9	30.74
21	Florida	75.45	101	5.38	0.69	29.2	3	12.42	33.57	39.5	30.10
22	North Dakota	53.85	93	2.09	1.65	9.1	1	26.62	50.70	47.9	30.02
23	Minnesota	54.35	95	3.05	1.13	23.5	1	29.35	249.59	59.8	29.67
24	Hawaii	70.4	90	5.08	1.40	19	2	11.46	18.59	60.4	29.57
25	Nebraska	60	117	2.86	0.85	2.8	0	18.15	75.43	46.6	29.00
26	South Carolina	70.2	115	4.43	0.68	11.8	1	16.49	39.57	41	28.87
27	Virginia	63.65	100	3.95	0.47	17.1	1	28.31	17.48	56	28.77
28	Missouri	64.9	115	4.03	0.88	11.2	1	23.68	1.61	40.3	28.50
29	North Carolina	66.95	109	4.47	0.30	14.6	1	26.56	0.54	52.4	28.33
30	Iowa	59.9	105	3.81	1.68	2.8	0	29.15	4.36	55.3	27.70
31	Georgia	70.9	112	4.44	0.44	9.7	0	15.96	7.72	45.3	27.59
32	Connecticut	58.25	82	4.28	2.81	6.2	0	64.02	55.16	59.9	27.56
33	Delaware	63.75	97	4.04	1.63	7.4	0	22.31	13.60	51.4	27.21
34	Maryland	63.05	105	3.95	0.77	7.6	0	23.38	7.23	53.2	26.89
35	Rhode Island	57.9	98	3.90	1.27	1.5	0	46.63	21.58	59	26.24
36	Tennessee	66.45	102	4.69	0.78	14.1	1	27.44	19.52	41.3	25.99
37	Kentucky	64.8	93	4.39	0.84	11.8	1	23.39	0.99	48.7	25.92
38	Massachusetts	56.85	98	3.98	0.68	6.3	0	59.67	42.73	60	25.76
39	Michigan	54.4	71	2.97	0.77	28.1	1	26.10	109.55	49.8	25.61
40	Wisconsin	54.85	89	3.43	0.81	17.8	0	31.61	252.89	51.4	24.67
41	West Virginia	60.55	60	4.22	1.98	16.5	1	49.71	5.66	47.1	24.61
42	Mississippi	71.35	111	5.04	0.85	10.9	0	10.78	4.05	32.5	24.59
43	New Jersey	61.4	94	4.20	0.29	18.3	0	20.06	4.29	54.6	24.45
44	Indiana	61.75	88	4.03	0.33	4.5	1	20.07	21.27	53	24.02
45	Pennsylvania	58	87	3.90	0.96	16.1	0	29.26	14.50	48.5	23.80
46	Illinois	62.5	95	3.86	0.33	4.1	0	16.47	23.17	47.7	23.62
47	Louisiana	73.7	101	5.08	0.46	10.7	0	8.20	36.45	31.6	23.38
48	Alabama	70.55	99	5.00	0.41	7.1	0	19.89	0.60	37.7	23.01
49	New York	55.05	63	3.65	0.84	37.1	0	25.45	40.32	51.9	23.01
50	Ohio	60.3	72	3.76	0.63	4.2	1	22.35	0.93	45.1	22.03

 

Methodology

The study analyzed nine key factors affecting outdoor dining experiences. States were scored on each factor out of 100, with the following weights:

• Average temperature in spring and summer: 17%
• State parks per 100,000 people: 15%
• Number of clear days each year: 15%
• Spring and summer rainfall (in inches): 15%
• Amount of public land: 10%
• Number of national parks: 10%
• Trails per 100,000 people: 8%
• Lakes per 100,000 people: 5%
• Safety index: 5%

Sources

SummitPost

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

World Population Review

Current Results 

AllTrails
America's State Parks