Picnic in the Park

Open all year dawn to dusk

Location
The picnic area is located near the visitor center. The access road is located just to the west of the visitor center parking area. You can drive directly to the picnic area or walk from the visitor center along a short (0.1 mile) trail.
There are also picnic tables at Montezuma Pass, three miles past the visitor center.

 

Picnic tables along Montezuma Canyon wash, shaded by oak trees

NPS Photo

 

Regulations

The park and picnic area are open for day use only; camping is not allowed. Mild temperatures and low humidity provide pleasant opportunities in all seasons. Reservations are not accepted; the picnic area generally does not fill to capacity. Fires are permitted only in grills, but may be prohibited during high fire danger. Hunting, woodcutting, and gathering of minerals and vegetation are prohibited. Pets should never be left unattended in vehicles and must be kept on a leash.

Available Facilities

There are 25 sites located beneath the trees, multiple ramada structures, and several water faucets and fountains. Restrooms are accessible to persons in wheelchairs, and the area is relatively level. Outdoor grills are provided for cooking fires. Visitors need to bring their own charcoal or wood, as no wood gathering is allowed. Overnight camping is prohibited. A Special Use Permit is required for activities in the picnic area with more than 25 people.

At Montezuma Pass there are two tables located under a ramada and one table located in an open air shelter with a solid roof. There are no grills at this located and it can often be windy, but it does provide scenic views of the valleys below. Two accessible vault toilets are available.

 

Picnic area at Montezuma Pass

NPS Photo