Edmonton 
If you need a location for a fall picnic in Edmonton, look no further than the river valley, of course!
Beautiful fall colours can be found at any point along North Saskatchewan as it winds through Edmonton, as are many of the city’s best picnic areas. Within these river valley areas, you can pick from drop-in or reservable sites, as well as some that permit responsible liquor consumption.
The fall picnic scenery can be found beyond the river valley, too, with mature trees and city parks in each corner of the city: Coronation, Millwoods, Jackie Parker, and Borden Park, all offer amenities like washrooms, cook stoves, and tables or shelters.
Reserving a site isn’t always necessary but can be a good idea for guaranteed shelter, or larger group picnics.
Costs for city park reservations:
Canopied Picnic Sites: $41.50 per hour
Non-canopied Picnic Sites: $31.75 per hour
Power sites an additional $46.80 per site
Details for all City of Edmonton Reservations
Rundle Park
Plan your next wine and cheese night outdoors this fall!
Rundle Park is a stunning fall landscape, and many of the picnic areas here permit responsible liquor consumption. What better way to close out summer than a scenic picnic with friends?
Rundle is a great park for any picnic big or small, with amenities like washrooms and cook stoves. You can also explore the scenery after your picnic with the park offering its own trails, and access to the riverside trails.
If you head to the top of the hill at Rundle Park, you can view the colourful treetops extending west with the river.
Reservable sites: 6
Where: 2909 113 Avenue NW
Hawrelak Park
We say enjoy the beauty of Hawrelak Park in the fall while you still can. The park is scheduled to close by 2023 (for major improvements and renos), and this might be the last time we can picnic under the massive golden trees of Hawrelak for a while. As the park is quite large, you’ll have a few different options for your picnic setting: under the shade and privacy of the trees, beside the pond and on the grass, on the patio of Culina on the Lake, or under the shelter of the south pavilion.
Where: 9930 Groat Road NW
Victoria Park
You may want to consider Victoria Park and their reservable picnic areas for a family gathering or your next outing with friends. You can choose between 13 different picnic sites in total, six of which can be reserved- these six sites offer amenities like power hook-up (for the music, of course), shelters (for the unpredictable fall weather, of course), fire pits, and wood camp stoves.
Reservable sites: 6
Where: 12030 River Valley Road NW
Legislature Grounds
I specifically mean the hill behind the main building. Come to ‘the Leg.’ for a no-fuss and simple picnic under the shade of the mature trees.
The fall colours on the grounds are spectacular on their own but are made even better with the backdrop of the river valley to the south. There are open washrooms during certain hours and water fountains, but no official picnic areas. This no-fuss picnic can involve a blanket, some snacks, and the beautiful setting of the colourful foliage. Details
Reservable sites: no
Where: 10800 97 Ave NW
Borden Park
If you want to reserve a picnic site at Borden Park this fall, you are provided shelter no matter which of the four sites you choose. The tall trees around the park are ablaze with warm colours each fall, and there are trails you can follow around the park after your picnic. Even if you don’t reserve a Borden Park site, there are many places where you can set up a blanket on the grass, if the fall weather permits.
Reservable sites: 4
Where: 11020 75a St NW
