Picnic Spots Around Helen

A picnic is the cheapest good meal in the mountains, and October is the best month for one. The nights are cool, the leaves turn from the high ridges down, and nobody is fighting for a deck table. Pack a basket, pick a spot below, and plan the food around what's open that day.

Fees and shelter rentals change, so check with the park or operator before you commit to a group date.

Fees checked October 2026. Read the Unicoi State Park guide, the Smithgall Woods guide and the Anna Ruby Falls guide before you go.

Unicoi is the one-stop picnic destination: 1,029 acres around the 53-acre Unicoi Lake, with picnic areas, rentable pavilions, a swimming beach and a Beach House, plus canoe, kayak and paddleboat rentals. Call the park on 706-878-2201 for shelter fees and rental seasons, since they aren't posted online.

The 2.5-mile Lake Trail circles the water and makes a good walk before or after lunch. The park's own trail map calls it a great fall hike for viewing leaves.

Smithgall Woods is quieter. The park has five picnic shelters that you can use on a first come, first served basis, 28 miles of trails and a visitor center where every visitor registers on arrival. It's a good fit when you want a sit-down lunch away from the lodge crowd.

If you're picnicking near the river, don't bring a cooler or alcohol onto the water. Cool River Tubing says coolers and alcohol are not allowed, tubers can bring one 32 oz plastic drink container, and Helen police patrol the river. Our tubing guide has the full list. The daily tubing season runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, so in October the river is quiet.

Hours are from each business's website. Guides: Hofer's, Old Sautee Store, Sweetwater, Spice 55.