Places to Have a Picnic on the Mid-Cape

Outdoor activities are a staple of everyday life on Cape Cod, and the Mid-Cape area is no different. Once you live here, you'll become familiar with some of the region's best recreational venues, and visit a few of them before choosing a favorite.

The parks throughout the Mid-Cape provide enough activity for an entire day, and, naturally, you might want to pack a picnic for lunch, so you don't have to give up your parking space.

Here are some parks on the Mid-Cape that have scenic, relaxing, or otherwise great places to have a picnic.

Gray's Beach in Yarmouth Port

Up in Yarmouth Port, Gray's Beach, also known as Bass Hole, is an incredible place with tons of recreational activities. For starters, there's a beach featuring a boat launch, allowing visitors to take a small vessel into Cape Cod Bay. The area also has a playground and a pavilion, making it an ideal spot to spend the day with family.

Perhaps the main attraction at Gray's Beach is GJK Viewpoint, a boardwalk that takes visitors deep into a salt marsh and offers some of the Cape's best photo opportunities.

When heading to Gray's Beach for a picnic, you'll find two parking areas, one of which is quite large, in addition to some covered picnic tables. You can hold an event at the beach if you book the picnic area ahead of time. Otherwise, it's available on a first-come, first-served basis. If the picnic tables are taken, there's plenty of tree cover, so you can find a place to eat in the shade.

Sandy Neck Beach in West Barnstable

The first thing you'll notice about Sandy Neck Beach is its size, as this is a massive recreational area that's very popular during Cape Cod's summers. While Sandy Neck Beach doesn't have a designated picnic area like other places on this list, you won't struggle to find somewhere for your family to enjoy lunch.

First, you can head to the Sandy Neck parking area and walk down the beach until you find a secluded spot in which to relax. Due to the beach's capacity, there's always some space.

Or, if you didn't pack food, you can eat at the beach's snack shack, which features a covered outdoor dining area.

Finally, if you purchase a seasonal off-road vehicle permit and have the minimum required equipment, you can drive to the far end of the beach where you're sure to find a secluded spot.

Sandy Neck Beach might not have a traditional picnic area, but you won't struggle to locate a place all your own.

Flax Pond Recreation Area in South Yarmouth

Flax Pond is a tiny body of water just off the Mid-Cape Highway in South Yarmouth. Don't let its size fool you, however, as the park here has everything you could ever want in a recreation area.

First, there's the beach, which isn't large by any stretch but provides an area for visitors to cool off on a hot summer's afternoon. The park also has tennis courts, a basketball court, a baseball diamond, bathroom facilities, and hiking trails, making it an ideal place to spend an entire day.

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of Flax Pond is its parking lot, which is far more extensive than you'd expect to find in a hidden-away park like this.

As for picnics, the Flax Pond Recreation Area has dozens of tables and multiple covered areas. If you're looking to escape the Mid-Cape's crowds in the summer, Flax Pond is a hidden gem that is worth a visit.

Johnny A. Kelley Recreation Area in South Dennis

Just a few blocks from Flax Pond is Dennis' Johnny A. Kelley Recreation Area, which sits just north of the Mid-Cape Highway. This park is the only location on this list without a beach, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable.

Many people who visit Johnny A. Kelley park are there for the softball diamonds, as adult teams play there throughout the spring and summer. There are also soccer fields, basketball courts, and tennis courts, providing plenty of recreational opportunities.

The park has two large parking areas and a playground for the kids, in addition to some hiking trails that head through the nearby woods. It's also home to the Model T Ford Club of Cape Cod, so you might see some old cars when visiting.

For picnic-goers, this park has numerous covered tables and even features some wood stoves where you can cook a meal or roast marshmallows. Whether you're heading to the park for an event or just want to get outdoors with your family, the Johnny A. Kelley Recreation Area is a solid choice in Dennis.

Veterans Memorial Park Beach in Hyannis

Just outside of downtown Hyannis, Veterans Memorial Park is home to the John F. Kennedy Memorial, in addition to a playground and some of the best views you'll find of Lewis Bay, which heads into Hyannis Harbor.

The park is pretty popular in the summer, although there are other beaches nearby that draw some of the crowds elsewhere. It also has a large parking lot, so with any luck, you'll be able to find a space for your day by the water.

Of course, the picnic area is one of the main attractions at Veterans Park, as it sits in a tree-covered area just west of the beach. The park is a beautiful facility that has both beach and green spaces, which is why so many families make it their go-to picnic stop in Hyannis.

A Picnic on the Mid-Cape's

Living on the Mid-Cape puts you close to numerous recreational activities, particularly once the weather warms up in the late spring and into the summer. Getting outdoors with the family is often a priority, and these picnic spaces provide you with great spots to enjoy your day.

Check out a few of these outstanding picnic spots on the Mid-Cape because you won't find experiences like these anywhere else on the East Coast.