World Picnic Day celebrations, Gujju style.
There is timeless charm to a picnic: the quiet sound as you set up, the satisfying clink of the box opening, and the lovely smell of the food made with love and care. On World Picnic Day (June 18), however, it must be called to our attention that sometimes, to empathize with Mother Nature, other beings, and ourselves, is just a matter of grabbing a snack and going outside.
Whether you fancy a solitary reflection under the sun or an auspicious rendezvous with friends on a Sunday morning, or just encourage family fun, Gujarat offers almost as many picnic sites as there are calm spots to inspire startups-from lofty hill forests to shores of cool rivers. Here are our favourite Top 5 Picnic Spots in Gujarat, complete with some compelling reasons to consider giving at least one of these locations your try.
But First: How Gujarat Picnics Differ?
In Gujarat, a one-day picnic is a whole event. It’s not just about going somewhere—it’s about going together. Early morning chai at home, homemade thepla packed in foil, and someone’s uncle playing Antakshari from the front seat of the car—it’s a ritual that goes beyond the destination.
We don’t just come, we come bearing stories, spare napkins, and enough snacks to feed five more relatives who “just dropped by.” For Gujaratis, any spot — a lakeside bench, a noisy chaat corner- can become a party. It’s not just a moment, it’s a memory in the making
Honestly, a picnic here isn’t just leisure. It’s low-cost dhandho with high returns: laughter, bonding, and sometimes even a spark of inspiration that fuels more than just memories.
Many local entrepreneurs swear by these one-day escapes, not as breaks, but as breather spaces where clarity clicks and ideas start bubbling. If you’re tuning into Gujpreneur, take this as your sign: even a picnic here can pitch you toward your next big move.
Now let’s get to the list:
1. Polo Forest – Where Ruins Meet Rainbows
Location: Vijaynagar, Sabarkantha
Website: poloforestvijaynagar.com
Polo Forest is where timelessness, folk tales, and fog mingle in the Aravallis. With ruins from the legend of the 15th century, tribal villages, and forested trails where birds sing. It’s a wonderful place for people who want to have a good time.
- Activities: Trekking, riverside picnics, birdwatching
- What Makes It Special: A rare mix of architecture and biodiversity—ideal for nature-based retreats
- Fun Fact: The word “Pol,” meaning “gate” in Marwari/Gujarati, references its position on an ancient border.
2. Thol Lake Bird Sanctuary – Still Waters, Flying Colors
Location: Mehsana-Ahmedabad Border
Instagram: Ahmedabad Tourism
If stillness had a soundtrack, it would be Thol’s birds at sunrise. Built in 1912 as a reservoir, this wetland, now a Ramsar site, attracts over 300 bird species annually.
- Activities: Birdwatching, sketching, lakeside yoga
- What Makes It Special: A meditative mix of biodiversity and silence
- Fun Fact: Flamingos and sarus cranes love it here—so do early risers with thermoses.
3. Indroda Nature Park – Gujarat’s Own Dinosaur & Fossil Park
Location: Gandhinagar
Website: GEER
Dinosaur eggs, fossil museums, and botanical gardens—Indroda Nature Park is India’s answer to Jurassic Park with an educational twist. Kids will love it, but adults who want science with their snacks will love it too.
- Activities: Fossil hunts, nature trails, biodiversity tours
- What Makes It Special: One of only two dinosaur fossil parks in India
- Fun Fact: The Narmada belt has one of the richest deposits of dinosaur fossils in Asia
4. Sabarmati Riverfront – Chaat, Calm & Concrete Charm
Location: Ahmedabad
Website: sabarmatiriverfront.com
Modern, manicured, and magnetic—the Sabarmati Riverfront turns urban into an oasis. From lazy Sunday garden walks to impromptu treasure hunts at flea markets, this Gujarat Tourism project proves that even our busiest cities can slow down, just enough to breathe, to wander, to feel. It is especially for kids and mothers who cannot travel far away but want to have equal fun in the middle of the city.
- Activities: Boating, cycling, sunset strolls
- What Makes It Special: A textbook example of smart urban redevelopment
- Fun Fact: Hosts the annual Ahmedabad Flower Show, a botanical fest that draws thousands
5. Zarwani Waterfall – The Monsoon’s Best-Kept Secret
Location: Shoolpaneshwar Sanctuary, Narmada
Tourism Page: Narmada District.
Tucked within a verdant sanctuary, Zarwani Waterfall is one of those places that asks you to unplug, to just be. Less touristy than the nearby Statue of Unity and far more soul-soothing.
- Activities: Forest hikes, waterfall picnics, photography
- What Makes It Special: Remote yet reachable; quiet yet dynamic
- Fun Fact: The nearby Ninai Waterfall is quickly emerging as an eco-tourism spot
Why These Five?
These aren’t just trending picnic spots—they’re layered experiences. Here’s why they top the list:
- Accessibility: All are within driving distance or well-connected for day trips
- Multi-sensory: They blend ecology, culture, and leisure.
- Gujarat Tourism Approved: Featured on travel sites, heritage portals, and local rec lists
- Gujju Soul Factor: Each spot reflects that beautiful blend of practicality and poetry—only Gujarat does it this way.
This World Picnic Day, skip the basket—pack intention. Gujarat’s picnic spots spark ideas and joy. Follow Gujpreneur for stories of identity, inspiration, dhandho, and bold entrepreneurial spirit—homegrown, hopeful, and hustle-ready.
